Lacking the necessary federal funding, Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio has announced it will likely shut down two of its AmeriCorps Seniors programs serving Hamilton County come Sept. 30.

Hamilton County

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio is preparing to dismantle its AmeriCorps Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents programs after nearly 60 years of service. Despite Congress appropriating funds, a White House decision to impound AmeriCorps funding has left the local programs without financial support.

These programs have provided critical assistance to low-income seniors and students, including help with daily activities and educational mentoring. Nonprofit leaders warn that without a change in the federal funding situation, the programs will begin winding down, with a full shutdown expected by the end of September.

Catholic Charities prepare to shut seniors programs

For nearly 60 years, Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio has helped run AmeriCorps Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents programs. They contributed 83,000 hours of service to the community in 2024, though come next month non-profit leadership may be forced to dismantle them. Congress has appropriated the funding, but the White House is impounding all AmeriCorps funds and by default that also means our AmeriCorps Seniors programs here locally. The Senior Companions program places volunteers with other low-income seniors who need help with day-to-day activities. So this can include meal preparation, grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, sometimes most importantly just socialization. The Foster Grandparents program places seniors in schools. There they help mentor and tutor students. There were students when I first came, maybe their reading level was low, but by the end of the year they had reached higher goals than I had ever anticipated. Robin Jones is an AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparent. She says without the program, her mental and physical health will suffer and students will lose out on invaluable support. I feel if we're not there, our kids are going to fall back and we need them to move forward. Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio CEO Tony Stieritz says if the federal funding picture doesn't change by mid-August, the nonprofit will have to start winding down the programs with a full shutdown expected by September 30th. In Cincinnati, Connor Steffen, WCPO 9 News.

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