America's Service Commissions header graphic shows AmeriCorps members being sworn in and text that reads Uniting States in Service

Looking Back: Our 2020 Annual Report

September 2021

Dear ASC Members and Friends:Decorative image. Cover of 2020 ASC annual report

We are pleased to present you with the 2020 ASC Annual Report, which is now available to view or download.

The year 2020 was like nothing we’d ever experienced before, and we continue to face challenges in 2021. The good news is that we have a national service field that is strong, resilient, and – as we saw in 2020 – ready to respond to any and all types of disaster.

We are so fortunate to have a strong, passionate, and extremely capable network of state service commissions. And we are stronger because of America’s Service Commissions (ASC).

When our work began to shut down in 2020, ASC when into overdrive. ASC brought commissions together weekly to help us get ahead of emerging issues, to discuss policy changes and models of new COVID-response service activities; to provide mental health support for AmeriCorps members and staff; to fight for legislation to expand national service; and more As the Spring turned to Summer and our country openly grappled with issues of racial justice and systemic racism, ASC stepped up its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) work, bringing together commissions to share anti-racism practices and developing a plan to address ASC’s internal and external work.

Despite the challenges we faced throughout the year, ASC was able to advocate for an increase in federal appropriations, lay the groundwork for a new strategic plan, and help raise the profile of the critical impact that national service plays when our country faces its most daunting challenges.

With ASC’s leadership and support, the state service commission network is collaborating to break down barriers in grantmaking, program development, and AmeriCorps member support; together we are pushing the field of national service to engage those who will benefit most, serve those most in need, and build on the strengths of our communities.

In 2021, we are taking state service commissions to the next level – we’re movement builders and incubators for innovation. Service through AmeriCorps and volunteerism is exactly what our country needs right now and we – the state service commission network – are ready to Get Things Done.

Thank you for being part of the ASC community and state service network!

In service,

Maureen Eccleston, Chair, America's Service Commissions Board of Directors
Kaira Esgate, CEO, America's Service Commissions

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