After reading VTDigger’s recent article highlighting an impressive new, young Vermonter, Matthew Carey, I want to commend him for the determination and resilience he’s shown in defying the odds.
What stands out to me is the notable impact that AmeriCorps and other federally and state-funded programs have had on his life. Matthew describes the doors opened by his AmeriCorps service, such as the educational award that helps make college more affordable, and the career pathway toward social work that his service has set him on.
As an AmeriCorps alum myself, Matthew’s story, while unique to him, is not unfamiliar. My own service journey began in high school and grew through TRIO Upward Bound, a program that, much like the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), supports first-generation and modest-income students in pursuing higher education.
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I was once a student in TRIO Upward Bound at Vermont State University-Johnson, and later returned as an AmeriCorps member to mentor students who shared the same dreams I once held. That experience didn’t just shape my future; it ignited a lifelong commitment to service that continues to guide my career choices today.
Stories like Matthew’s and mine are not exceptions; they are examples of what becomes possible when we invest in service. AmeriCorps is more than a year of volunteering. It is a workforce development and leadership pipeline, as well as a community-strengthening force that equips young people with the skills, confidence and direction to build meaningful futures right here in our Green Mountain State.
AmeriCorps has recently faced uncertainty over federal funding, and the Feb. 6, 2026, passage of the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations bill, which sustains near-level AmeriCorps funding, is an important win.
This investment supports nonprofits across not just Vermont but also the country, strengthens the communities they serve, and ensures that service members like Matthew can continue to make a tangible difference. The passage of this bill is certainly worth celebrating.
I want to thank our Vermont members of Congress who voted to sustain this critical funding for AmeriCorps, and I want to thank AmeriCorps members like Matthew, who exemplify the tremendous impact these programs have on individuals and Vermont’s future.
Stories like Matthew’s remind us that when we invest in service, we are investing in our people, which is essential for our state to thrive.
Erica Fuller,
Hancock, Vt.
