Congressman Denny Heck Visits Pierce College's Fort Steilacoom Campus (PHOTOS)

Congressman Denny Heck returned from the other Washington on Wednesday to visit Pierce College's Fort Steilacoom campus and learn more about the services it offers to veterans.

Here's Pierce College's press release about his visit:

As the possibility of federal budget cuts looms, community service providers told Congressman Denny Heck about the importance of AmeriCorps and other national service programs in a meeting Wednesday in Lakewood.

Heck visited Pierce College Fort Steilacoom to meet with educators and providers, and tour the college’s veteran student center.

ServeNext/ServiceNation, a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for National Service, arranged the meeting out of concerns for continued funding for national service programs, said Carol Farer, Washington state organizer at ServeNext/ServiceNation. Pierce College and the organizations represented at the meeting all utilize national service members funded through the federal Corporation for National  & Community Service.

Heck, the first representative of the newly created 10th congressional district, was particularly interested in learning how the impending automatic budget cuts called “sequestration” could affect their programs. Congress is grappling with how, or whether, to stave off billions of dollars in the sequestration budgets cuts that could begin as early next month.

Representatives at Wednesday’s meeting were uncertain how they would be affected by sequestration. However, they expressed concerns about the possibility of federal budget cuts as the demand for services grows.

Much of their discussion focused on the value of AmeriCorps. Program members are deployed throughout the nation and supported through federal dollars and matching local grants.

Pierce College, for instance, has an AmeriCorps/VISTA member who coordinates volunteer projects allowing students to learn while serving disadvantaged seniors, veterans and low-income families. In one project, students created an interactive, online map of Pierce County allowing people to see where they could donate fresh produce for food banks, said Christie Flynn, the college’s dean of libraries.

Meanwhile, SeaMar Community Health Centers, the state’s largest community health center, uses 23 AmeriCorps members, said Rudy Vasquez, the agency’s multicultural services director. They help patients navigate the health system from clinic to hospital to outpatient service, coordinate the volunteer program and preschool reading program.

Amy Hoyte cited the passion that the two AmeriCorps members bring to her agency, Rebuilding Together South Sound. Last year the program rehabilitated 80 houses. “They just want to do good in the world,” said Hoyte, the program’s executive director. “If we didn’t have them, we would have done far less.”

Asked whether AmeriCorps has been cited for cutbacks, Heck said, “I think the reality is, given the budget circumstances we’re confronting in the next year or two, everybody is worried they’re on the chopping block. I don’t think they’re being singled out.

“Everything is at risk in this fiscally uncertain time. ...  All the more important to learn the good things they do.”

After the meeting, Heck toured the college’s Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success. The center provides tutoring, a textbook lending library and many other services to help military veterans succeed in college.

The center will remain open past September, when its three-year grant ends, but the extent of its services will depend on how much funding the college can find, said Vickie Bell, the program’s coordinator.

Heck said comments from the college and service providers will assist in budget deliberations. “Most importantly, it’s inspirational beyond words. It’s always good to be reminded of that, especially when you’re in the midst of the battle back there” in Washington, D.C.

“Out here in the real world, day in and day out, people are getting up and trying to improve the lives of people in their community. I just love it.”

Other participants at Wednesday’s meeting included Pierce College District Chancellor and CEO Michele Johnson; Anne Sprute, president and CEO of The Unfinished Mission; and Janne Hutchins, executive director of Living Access Support Alliance.

Heck’s 10th congressional district encompasses nearly all of Thurston County, parts of Mason County and most of Pierce County, including Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place and parts of South and East Tacoma.