LONG BEACH, Calif. — Today, Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson announced California is seeking 10,000 people to join the California Service Corps.
The event also featured a Corps to Career fair where over 40 public, nonprofit and business employers met with hundreds of California Service Corps members and recently hired alumni.
“As Californians, the spirit of service and giving back is in our DNA — it’s why we have the largest service corps in the nation. Larger even than the Peace Corps, the California Service Corps serves as a model for other states just as it serves our own residents,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “We consistently hear from businesses, nonprofits and local governments about the need to equip workers with modern skills and connect them to employers, and the California Service Corps and Corps to Career programs do just that.”
Over the coming year, California Service Corps programs will be over 10,000 members strong and serve nearly five million hours. Service members help communities with urban greening, wildfire resiliency, tutoring and mentoring students to help them succeed, supporting communities impacted by disasters, working to end hunger and connecting vulnerable people to vital resources and services.
In the LA area, California Service Corps alumni are connected to employers through Corps to Career, an innovative public-private partnership. The initiative is part of Governor Newsom’s broader strategy to create a California for all, furthering economic opportunity and workforce development throughout California.
“These are California’s future leaders, and we need their passion, energy and enthusiasm to address our greatest challenges,” said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. “The Corps to Career initiative shows us when we invest in paid service opportunities, we invest in our future teachers, tradespeople, business leaders and the entire economy.”
Corps to Career is a component of Governor Newsom’s larger strategy to accelerate economic and workforce projects throughout the state. As part of the Master Plan for Career Education, Corps to Career ensures Californians have career pathways, develop the skills and find even more opportunities to power economic growth and create more resilient communities in priority sectors such as education, trades and climate.
“As a global leader in innovation and talent, California is always looking for new ways to strengthen the industries and workforce that will power our world-beating economy,” said GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers. “Along with the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, Corps to Career will help increase access to good-paying jobs while driving sustainable economic growth in communities across the state.”
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said, “Here in Long Beach, we’re proud to partner with Governor Newsom, Director Fryday and leaders across our community to empower the next generation of public servants. With programs like our Long Beach Public Service Corps, we’re creating pathways to meaningful public sector careers — giving young people the opportunity to serve their communities while gaining invaluable skills and experience. These opportunities aren’t just about service; they’re about building a stronger workforce that meets the needs of our state. By investing in these future leaders, we’re shaping a more resilient and service-driven California.”
California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service programs:
- #CaliforniansForAll College Corps
- California Climate Action Corps
- Youth Service Corps
- AmeriCorps California
Combined, it is a force larger than the Peace Corps and will be mobilized at a time when California is addressing post-pandemic academic recovery, rebuilding from the LA firesand planning for the future of the state’s workforce.
California Service Corps members gain skills and experience while connecting with others and making a positive difference. Additionally, service experiences foster a positive sense of connection and belonging — an answer to the loneliness crisis as defined by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory.
Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity can learn more by watching this virtual recruitment event.
Learn more and join at CAServiceCorps.com.
