For Immediate Release
June 10, 2022
Media Contact:
Julie Goggins, julie.goggins@cv.ca.gov, 916-201-2304
California Chief Service Officer Fryday Joins Senate Leader Atkins and Mayor Gloria to Kick Off Youth Investment Programs in San Diego
New service initiatives help low-income youth gain real-world work experience while serving their community and earning money.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, and Mayor Todd Gloria joined San Diego employers and higher education leaders to encourage young people to apply for two new service programs: #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps and College Corps.
“These kinds of investments are a game-changer for California youth. Earning money, while developing career-building skills AND helping their community – a win-win-win,” said Fryday.
Both programs help low-income youth and students earn money by serving their local community while working on critical issues like climate action, tutoring youth, supporting food banks, and meeting other community needs.
“The new #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps and College Corps are transformative programs that invest in underserved youth by creating meaningful pathways for public service careers, while providing participants with significant financial support. These programs enrich our communities through impactful community service, tackling issues such as climate action, food insecurity, educational disparities, and COVID-19 recovery. California is pleased to partner with colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and local governments across the state to implement these visionary programs,” said Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins.
The City of San Diego is recruiting individuals to join the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps to connect them with career building resources. Priority will be given to applicants aged 16-30 who are low-income, unemployed and/or out of school, justice-involved or current/former foster youth.
“As Mayor, I have made investing in our youth a priority for the City of San Diego. Thanks to the State of California’s investment in this important program, we will be able to employ and empower young people in public service,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Employ + Empower provides our youth a career pathway while compensating them for their work. Our goal is to show young San Diegans that there is a place for them in public service through a meaningful paid work experience that can give them the skills to eventually pursue a full-time career.”
“Every young person should have an opportunity to fulfill their potential and find a quality career,” said City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. “Our Employ + Empower program will create that opportunity for young San Diegans from underserved communities, many of whom are disconnected from educational and career opportunities. As an added benefit, Employ + Empower participants will be helping San Diego provide our residents with the improved, more responsive service they deserve. This is a win-win that every San Diegan should be excited about.”
Students participating in College Corps will strengthen their futures and earn $10,000 for completing a year of service performing valuable work in their communities. This groundbreaking program intends to unite young Californians of all backgrounds in service and will create opportunities for AB 540 CA Dream Act Students to serve their communities.
“Many of our students are eager to participate in changemaking—but many of these opportunities do not offer compensation for their time and talents, or they may exclude some students due to status,” said UC San Diego Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Alysson Satterlund, who initiated the proposal that garnered the university a two-year, $4.35 million grant award as part of the College Corps program. “This means that students who care for dependents—or those who are working to reduce the costs of earning their degrees—often have to choose paid experiences over non-paid public service and leadership experiences. The College Corps grant addresses this issue and opens the door for more students to engage in our community, which enhances our ability to be a student-centered, public service-oriented university.”
“As an anchor institution, this is an opportunity for our students to make a difference in our local communities while getting the hands-on experience they need to Care for Our Common Home and tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. Our students will not only be able to learn what it’s like to work in sectors for social good and public service but also help defray the cost of their education. This program also seeds the next generation of Changemakers who will see, firsthand, the difference they can make in the world, encouraging them to follow a path toward making positive changes in our communities,” said James T. Harris III, President of the University of San Diego.
Over the next two years, College Corps will engage 6,500 California undergraduates in service — roughly the size of the entire Peace Corps. This service and career development program will help build a diverse class of leaders set to transform California for the better. Funding was made possible by the efforts of Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers.
For more information and to apply, visit:
Youth Jobs Corps: CAYouthJobsCorps.com
College Corps: CACollegeCorps.com
LIVESTREAM:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFzjzJA2o-U
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/366761632165188/posts/397912992383385
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Assemblymember Chris Ward:
“California’s leadership in both innovation and talent are recognized across the globe. The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps – our state’s largest investment in a college service program in history – encourages low-income students and youth to serve our communities, while earning money to pay for their education. Investing in our youth, serving our communities … these are key to California’s continued and future success.”
Assemblymember Akilah Weber, MD:
“I am proud to support the #CaliforniansForAll College and Youth Jobs Corps programs. These initiatives are historic and will not only shape the future of our youth, but also our communities. This is a win for everyone.”
Anusha Kadiyala, Chair of the City of San Diego Youth Commission:
“Employ + Empower is a much-needed program that will give hope to youth in marginalized communities, providing them with a pathway to chase their dreams and climb the social ladder. These internships and on-the-job training in City departments will help prepare today’s youth to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.”
Dan Malcolm, Port of San Diego Chairman:
“As champions of the safekeeping of the San Diego Bay, the Port of San Diego is thrilled to be able to work with local talent and build a pipeline of talent to continue our efforts to sustainably manage San Diego Bay and advance the regional blue economy. Our fellowship partnership with USD will give students unique opportunities at the Port in high demand fields like aquaculture and blue technology; energy and policy; environmental conservation and protection; government and civic relations; maritime; marketing and communications; and planning – while focusing on climate, sustainability, and social justice issues.”
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact Julie Goggins, julie.goggins@cv.ca.gov, 916-201-2304
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Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. #CaliforniansForAll is a California Volunteers service initiative launched in response to COVID-19 to establish a volunteer corps to support the state’s response to emergencies and disasters.
