In April, AmeriCorps ordered over 50 full-time volunteers to stop working on Helene recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. This decision was part of a broader termination of over 750 National Civilian Community Corps volunteers and more than $400 million in service programs nationwide.
A few weeks later, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in suing AmeriCorps for failing to administer already-approved grants. On Friday, he announced that the agency and the Office of Management and Budget had agreed to release all of the funds and distribute them as quickly as possible.
Jackson spoke with Eyewitness News about the effort to restore those funds: "It was against the law. Congress had already approved this money, so it could not be defunded. We filed this lawsuit. We were fortunate the other party realized they were likely to lose in court, and they decided to fold and release all of the funds. We understand the funds will be distributed as soon as possible."
The restored funding will support emergency response efforts for displaced individuals and those requiring various healthcare services. Programs such as Project MARS (Big Brother Big Sisters of WNC), Project Conserve, and Project POWER can now continue their work.
"This money belongs to North Carolina and is crucial for western North Carolina's recovery. I'm deeply grateful for the AmeriCorps members on the ground who can keep helping our communities rebuild after Helene," Jackson said in a news release.
September 27 will mark one year since Helene tore through WNC, killing 108 people and causing $53 billion in damage.
SEE ALSO: UNC law students provide legal support to families in western North Carolina after Helene