At Canopy NWA, we’re no strangers to resilience. Every day, we see it in the families we serve, the volunteers who dedicate their time, and in our staff and AmeriCorps VISTAs who bring our mission to life. Right now, the shutdown is putting that resilience to the test. At the start of the government shutdown, AmeriCorps VISTA members were notified by AmeriCorps, a federal government office, that they may not receive their living allowance payments until the government reopens.
The ongoing government shutdown has had a very real impact on the VISTAs who serve alongside our team. For many, this period of uncertainty has meant anxiety about unpaid income, disrupted plans, and an emotional toll that’s hard to put into words. We asked three of our current VISTAs to share what this experience has been like for them in their own words.
Emma, Community Facing VISTA
How is the government shutdown impacting you?
“The government shutdown has impacted everything for me. You can have all the money in the world yet still feel the weight of others dictating if you get paid or not. For me personally I had been budgeting this month for my elopement at the end of October. With hundreds of dollars in bills coming out every month, I was planning this really big day on top of everything else, and I didn’t realize until the night before just how deeply the shutdown would affect me. My mental health has truly suffered as well. Having to just trust that others that will never know me or meet me having the power to take away my means of living has been extremely eye opening. It moves my activism from passive to fully engaged, inspiring me to seek better outcomes for myself and for others.”
Emma’s honesty reminds us that these shutdowns aren’t abstract policy disputes. They affect real people in deeply personal ways.
Elizabeth, Employment VISTA
What is your perception of how the government shutdown impacts others?
“When government programs don’t affect your livelihood, a shutdown can feel distant and seem like just an inconvenience instead of a real crisis. However, for those whose daily well-being depends on policy stability and continued access to essential programs like Medicaid, the consequences are far-reaching and deeply personal. The immediate financial strain of losing healthcare coverage or delayed benefits can quickly compound existing vulnerabilities, leading to difficult choices between basic needs such as food, housing, and medical care. The impact goes beyond money. People feel anxiety from the uncertainty, lose trust in public systems, and face instability when safety nets disappear. For refugees and other vulnerable populations, many of whom are already navigating complex transitions, these disruptions can be particularly destabilizing. This threatens hard-won progress toward self-sufficiency and belonging.”
Elizabeth’s reflection paints a bigger picture. It connects her experience to the clients and communities that rely on stability and trust.
Katrina, Entrepreneurship VISTA
What worries you most about the government shutdown?
“What worries me most is how many people lose the support they rely on just to get by. WIC could run out of funds soon, meaning families with young kids could lose access to basic nutrition. Furloughed workers aren’t receiving paychecks, which adds pressure on thousands of people already living paycheck to paycheck. National parks and museums are cutting back operations. Passport and visa processing is slowing. Even some small business and housing loan programs are temporarily on hold. Healthcare is also getting more expensive, which puts people with limited resources or low incomes at serious risk.
On top of everything else, programs like housing assistance and food safety checks are temporarily on hold. This makes it harder for vulnerable communities to stay healthy and secure. Public projects like infrastructure repairs and community development are slowing down, which delays progress and impacts local economies.
I think the main concern is how much unpredictability and uncertainty this brings to an already rocky political situation. It’s riddled with so many changes that are impacting lives. The scary thing is, it feels like there’s no middle ground at all. This all-or-nothing approach is hurting everyday people who are trying to have a voice while political games play out.”
Katrina’s perspective captures what we all feel. Uncertainty has a ripple effect, touching everyone in our community, from those we serve to those who serve alongside them.
Finding Strength in Uncertain Times
Despite the stress and instability, our VISTAs continue to show up. They do it not only for each other, but also for our clients and for the broader community. Even in challenging times, their dedication never wavers.
“I will always look back at this time and remember the hard work and dedication that my peers and I have for this work.” – Emma
“Even in the midst of federal uncertainty, cultural adjustment, and the lasting impact of trauma, the individuals who receive support from Canopy show remarkable perseverance and strength.” – Elizabeth
“Through the VISTA program, I have the privilege of working alongside our incredible immigrant entrepreneurs and getting to witness their dreams take shape. Being part of their journeys, even in small ways, fills me with immense joy.” -Katrina
In moments like this, it’s easy to feel discouraged. Our VISTAs remind us that hope, empathy, and solidarity remain incredibly powerful.
Even in a shutdown, they continue to build something that doesn’t stop for politics: community.
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