Dear CAN Supporters,

As noted in a previous CAN communication, AmeriCorps' future was uncertain under the Trump administration. That uncertainty has now turned into certainty as CAN and thousands of organizations across the country were notified of their AmeriCorps award termination effective immediately. This is a blantantly illegal act and litigation will take place but the short, mid, and long-term negative impact is unavoidable!

We need your help now more than ever!

The Damage So Far:

CAN under-resourced families have been devasted! In addition to the current 5 full-time year-long committed AmeriCorps VISTAs at CAN terminated by AmeriCorps effective today, CAN and its communities have lost a $45K grant through AmeriCorps, $130K worth of labor through the loss of AmeriCorps Summer Associates, 15%-30% reduction in food resources through the USDA TEFAP program cancellation, 30% and growing uptick since February 2025 in families seeking food resources at CAN locations, continued "pause" of the City of Ann Arbor and CAN's regional geothermal district project ($10 million award), City of Ann Arbor's Federal EPA grant cancellation to convert CAN's GBC Community Center into a resilience hub, and so much more.

The insidious nature of this award termination knows no bounds as CAN was previously deemed "in compliance" with the administration's Executive Orders (EOs) through a disgusting process of eliminating any references to diversity, equity, and inclusion in any AmeriCorps-related content. For CAN's award to be terminated because it "no longer effectuates agency priorities" should frighten everyone! CAN's AmeriCorps-related priorities were specifically supporting the educational development of under-resourced youth and food security. If these CAN and AmeriCorps priorities do not effectuate the Trump administration's priorities, the administration's priority is cruelty!

Just last week, I was sharing the current impact of the cancellation of the USDA's TEFAP program amidst a sharp increase in demand with some folks unfamiliar with our community's safety net. One of the guests somewhat naively asked, "so what do they do since there are more people and less food." To which I responded, "what do you mean what do they do!? We are the literal last stop for many of these families and there is no other solution underway!"

As it stands now, CAN is experiencing a $395K deficit of its $1.8 million annual operating budget. Although we are temporarily taking some bites out of it thanks to a summer fundraiser, City of Ann Arbor support, and growing broader community support, we are still about $200K short. Fortunately CAN's remaining exposure to federal cuts is limited and we've begun to see an awakening in our local community to resolve these harms to our under-resourced communities by all means possible!

How We Right So Many Wrongs:

Our commitment to protect, serve, and support Washtenaw County's under-resourced families has never been so resolved! For starters, I have already authorized covering CAN's AmeriCorps' VISTA's living allowance for the next month while we sort through options. Food Gatherers' has already committed to cover the 15% USDA TEFAP reduction for the remainder of the current fiscal year. In a separate impromptu fundraising effort to cover CAN's educational summer camp costs due to the elimination of AmeriCorps' Summer Associate program has raised over $100K of its $150K goal. As of today and in light of the elimination of the AmeriCorps program, City of Ann Arbor Mayor and Council submitted a request of $100K for CAN to help mitigate the ongoing damage to our under-resourced communities. Although indirect to CAN, there is an increased number of mutual aid pacts between organizations as the attacks on nonprofits WILL continue to grow and we must stand together to weather this storm!

Most importantly, we ask you to stand with us and invest in the future we are building together.

Donate today to keep CAN’s programs strong and ensure that we can continue to provide food security, educational support, and community resilience in the face of these ongoing challenges. If you would like to make a donation through an investment service, donor-advised fund, or other charitable giving platforms, please reach out to info@canwashtenaw.org. We’ll be happy to guide you through the process!  

With gratitude and determination,



Derrick Miller

Executive Director

Community Action Network

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Community Action Network partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods to create better futures for themselves and improve the communities in which they live.

Community Action Network

info@canwashtenaw.org

www.canwashtenaw.org

(734) 994-2985

PO Box 130076, Ann Arbor, MI 48113