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Dear City Year community,

In 2008, I proudly wore the red jacket as an AmeriCorps member serving with City Year Philadelphia. That year shaped the leader I am today. The experience gave me not only the skills and mindsets that would carry me through my career, but also a lasting sense of purpose. It opened my eyes to the deep inequities in our education system—the opportunity gaps that persist because of the zip code a child is born into. It reminded me of my own privileges, but more importantly, the boundless promise and potential of our students when they are surrounded by consistent, caring adults.

My service year didn’t just inspire me to become a teacher. It propelled me into leading ������Ƶ in underserved and underrepresented communities and, ultimately, to my current role as Executive Director of City Year San José/Silicon Valley.

That’s why this moment feels so personal.

Recently, the federal government announced a $400 million reduction in AmeriCorps funding—a decision that has already displaced over 32,000 service members nationwide. While City Year San José/Silicon Valley’s funding remains intact for now, these cuts strike at the heart of what first drew me to City Year and national service: the belief that young leaders can transform the lives of students and communities when given the opportunity.

Here in the Bay Area, our corps members are continuing that legacy. This year, we are serving 2,000+ students across East San José and East Palo Alto. By the middle of the year, 79% of the 3rd–5th graders working with City Year had met or exceeded their academic growth goals—tangible evidence of the powerful work happening in our ������Ƶ.

At the same time, we are deepening and innovating our approach:

• Growing our corps size to expand our reach and meet student demand.
• Focusing our service model on K–3 literacy, laying a crucial foundation for long-term academic success.
• Equipping corps members for economic mobility and workforce success by embedding professional skill-building and future-ready training, including AI-powered learning tools, into their service year—through intentional innovation and strategic partnerships.

But this work is at risk. Without action and advocacy, the future of national service—and the students and families who rely on it—hangs in the balance.

To our alumni and supporters: your voice has never mattered more. Now is the time to raise our collective voice—to protect national service, defend our corps members, and ensure that students in communities like Ravenswood and Alum Rock continue to receive the support they deserve. While City Year San José/Silicon Valley’s funding remains intact for now, these cuts threaten the future of our work and the students who rely on us every day.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• City Year supports over 2,000 students across East San José and East Palo Alto. 
• Cuts jeopardize our ability to sustain AmeriCorps members and to ensure students finish the year with the trusted support they’ve had all year.
• Every dollar donated through May will be matched up to $25,000, doubling your impact.

How You Can Take Action

• to help us continue supporting students and AmeriCorps members.
• Contact your elected officials and urge them to protect AmeriCorps and national service funding. It only takes two minutes through .
• Share this message with friends, family, and colleagues who care about education and equity.

Luke Hostetter
Senior Vice President, Executive DirectorSan Jose/Silicon Valley