FEDERAL CUTS
SAN ANGELO, TX – Volunteers with West Texas Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in the Concho Valley awoke on the morning of June 19 to an email advising them that the program was coming to an end, effective July 1, and that their final day of West Texas RSVP service would be June 30.
The email explained: “[T]his difficult decision is the result of the program’s federal funding coming to an end and is not a reflection of the extraordinary work and dedication of our volunteers. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we are no longer able to continue operating the RSVP project.”
The program registered and assisted retired seniors with volunteer projects in the community; funded in part through Americorps Seniors, a federal program, and run through the Concho Valley Council of Governments (CVCOG). Their service area covers nine counties; Coke, Callahan, Crockett, Jones, McCulloch, Schleicher, Sutton, Taylor and Tom Green.
CVCOG Executive Director Erin Hernandez confirmed on Thursday that the program had been shut down, but that she couldn’t comment until she has fully informed her board, and that a full statement would be released next week following that announcement for further clarification.
About West Texas RSVP
From their website: “The AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program pairs thousands of Americans ages 55 and older with community organizations across the country. Volunteers choose how, where, and when they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours a week to 40 hours per week.”
In San Angelo, some agency directors reacted with surprise and disappointment upon hearing the news. Speaking to the Concho Observer on Thursday, Concho Valley Community Action Agency Director Mike Burnett said that they will miss the help they’ve received with assembling bags for their Homeless Navigation Day program, and the help they would have possibly received in the future for their upcoming Rock Rose Campus project.
RSVP Program Closure A Trend Across Nation
In Washington, it’s reported that major changes have taken place within AmeriCorps, the funding organization behind RSVP programs. In 2025, millions in already awarded grants were frozen by the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), which were challenged in court by North Carolina in one example, reported by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson in August of 2025.
The Trump Administration agreed to release funds allocated for hurricane relief.
Now, as the fiscal year has rounded the corner, it seems that the change is more permanent, and has led to the closure of many similar programs across the nation.
Starting in early 2026, news outlets have reported similar situations. In Durant, Oklahoma; the Bryan County RSVP program hosted a fundraiser to continue their operations.
The National Council on Aging reported on June 9 that “AmeriCorps Seniors, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program?(LIHEAP) and the?Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) would be increased, in contrast to the administration’s call to eliminate them.”
Despite this, news of the funding shut-off seems to have come down to many other agencies both in Texas and across the nation on June 23, with KFDA, News Channel 10 in Amarillo, reporting that the Texas Panhandle Americorps Seniors RSVP program did not receive continued funding.
When reached for comment Panhandle Community Services, a Community Action Agency which covers the Amarillo area, confirmed that they no longer run the program.
On the same day, local news in La Crosse, Wisconsin, reported a similar story, with the closure of its local RSVP program comprised of more than 300 volunteers, citing a funding gap of $83,000 dollars because the program was not selected for continued funding through Americorps Senior.
Lastly, on June 30, the Seguin Gazette reported that their local RSVP program was in the midst of a fundraising push to save the program.
