To the editor: Created to engage our citizens in community-building efforts at the most local level, AmeriCorps programs and members serve our nation in six focus areas: disaster relief, education, public health, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship and veterans / military families. Unfortunately the good work of our veterans and the other 80,000 AmeriCorps members across the country is at risk. Recently, the White House released its 2018 budget that calls for the elimination of AmeriCorps and hundreds of other programs that are building and protecting our communities.