California Seeks Changemakers in Los Angeles Region to Join the Largest Service Force in the Nation

California is now recruiting hundreds of paid California Service Corps Members in the Long Beach area to help their community while tackling the state’s most pressing issues, gaining economic opportunities and shaping the future of the region’s workforce.

Los Angeles, Calif. – Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, Cal State Los Angeles President Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Assemblymember Mike Fong and Dr. Alberto J. Román, East Los Angeles College President, announced the recruitment of thousands of people throughout Los Angeles County to join the paid California Service Corps, the largest service force in the nation. Members gain meaningful work experience while helping their communities and earning money.

Over the coming year, California Service Corps programs will be over 10,000 strong and members will serve nearly five million hours. Service members help communities by taking climate action, 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.

“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, bigger than the Peace Corps and a model for other states,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “In the coming year, 10,000 service corps members will devote nearly five million hours to our communities as we work to build a California for all.”

College Corps Fellow Diego Ramos Lopez, East Los Angeles College President Dr. Alberto J. Roman, Cal State LA President Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, State Assemblymember Mike Fong, and California Climate Action Corps Fellow Kacey Donner gather to announce California Service Corps recruitment effort in the Los Angeles Region.

(From left to right) College Corps Fellow Diego Ramos Lopez, East Los Angeles College President Dr. Alberto J. Roman, Cal State LA President Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, State Assemblymember Mike Fong, and California Climate Action Corps Fellow Kacey Donner gather to announce California Service Corps recruitment effort in the Los Angeles Region.

California Service Corps is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and consists of four paid service programs: #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps and AmeriCorps California. Combined, it is a force larger than the Peace Corps and will be mobilized at a time when California is addressing the climate crisis, post-pandemic academic recovery and shaping the future of the state’s workforce.

“These are California’s future leaders, and we need their passion, energy and enthusiasm to address our greatest challenges,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “These programs pave pathways for prosperity, propel progress on our most pressing issues, and promote unity to help unravel the crisis of social isolation and division.”  

California Service Corps Members gain skills and experience while connecting with others and making a positive difference. Service experiences also foster a positive sense of connection and belonging, an answer to the loneliness crisis – as defined by the U.S. Surgeon General.

“Since joining Cal State LA in early 2024, I have quickly come to understand how the transformative impact of the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program extends well beyond the university, said Cal State LA President Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes. “We take pride in collaborating with our regional partners and the Governor’s Office to provide this opportunity, contributing to the betterment of our students, communities, and the greater public good.”

“As the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, I am thrilled to partner with California Volunteers, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Cal State LA to encourage young people to apply for the California Service Corps,” said State Assemblymember Mike Fong. “Serving the community means being part of something greater than our individual selves. The Service Corps members of today are our state’s leaders of tomorrow. By participating, they develop crucial skills to tackle the challenges we face as a state, all while earning money for college and preparing for a meaningful career.”

“Through initiatives like the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, we empower our students to not only excel academically but also to make a tangible difference in their communities,” said Dr. Alberto J. Román, President of East Los Angeles College. “This program not only offers financial support but also instills a sense of purpose and accomplishment, emphasizing our commitment to providing opportunities for all, including AB 540 CA Dream Act Students. Our involvement in this program aligns perfectly with ELAC’s mission of fostering holistic student development and community engagement.”

Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity can learn more and apply at CAServiceCorps.com.  

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH: Contact: Karie Portillo, Karie.Portillo@californiavolunteers.ca.gov, (916) 584-1705

Livestream: 

Vimeo

Related Footage and interviews:

B-Roll: California Service Corps
Interview: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday
Interview and b-roll: Chiena Ty, California Climate Action Corps Fellow
Interview and b-roll: Wendy Parmelee, AmeriCorps Alumni
Interview and b-roll: Chris Ashley, Youth Jobs Corps Member
Interview and b-roll: Wendi Lizola, College Corps Fellow
Spanish Interview & b-roll: Wendi Lizola, College Corps Fellow

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

“It’s fantastic that California Service Corps will lead the country in hiring thousands of Californians to connect with communities, understand their needs, and provide much-needed service,” said State Senator María Elena Durazo. “The corps will include members of underserved communities serving those same communities linking them with vital resources and services while providing them with a career pathway and real-world skills like teamwork, task management, and developing relationships to thrive in their future professions.”

“Thanks to #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, I have been able to make a positive impact in my community while having a pathway to help pay for school,” said Diego Ramos Lopez, Cal State LA College Corps Fellow. “I am a CA Dream Act student, which has often made me ineligible for such paid fellowships in the past. This experience has given me purpose, I am able to contribute to my community and develop valuable skills and connections that are helping me jump-start my career after college.”

“I am grateful to the California Climate Action Corps program for financially supporting climate-related volunteerism,” said Kacey Donner, California Climate Action Corps Fellow. “In the past I had been doing this work in my free time, but with this opportunity I am able to commit full-time, which magnifies the impact.”

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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor  
Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting young Californians to engage in public service.