Nationally, somewhere between one-quarter and half of Americans volunteer every year.1 This spirit of volunteerism is one of the ways Americans are unique when compared with citizens of other nations.2 Perhaps this is why the idea of service opportunities for young people has been popular in the United States at least since former President John F. Kennedy called on his fellow Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Those words, spoken during Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address, inspired a generation to consider public and community service.3 It is perplexing then that the country’s main domestic national service programs are perpetually targeted by conservatives for cuts or even complete elimination.
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education/reports/2017/03/13/427801/proposed-cuts-americorps-devastating-education-reform/