Empowering California’s Youth: State Invests in Youth Corps with Ongoing Funding and Expanded Opportunities

#CaliforniansForAll Youth Corps gives youth service opportunities, job skills and sets them on a career pathway, leading to reduced homelessness and crime

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and city mayors from across California today highlighted newly announced ongoing funding for #CaliforniansForAll Youth Corps in the State Budget and applauded the state’s renewed commitment to service.

Youth Corps is an innovative partnership between the state and local governments to help young people serve their community and start their careers, leading to reduced homelessness and crime.

“This program deepens community connections to advance skills and address critical needs in our neighborhoods across California,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This investment will build a new generation of civic-minded leaders.”

Empowering California’s Youth: State Invests in Youth Corps with Ongoing Funding and Expanded Opportunities

California Big City Mayors Coalition and California mayors gather at U.S. Mayors Conference in San Diego, on September 8, 2023. From left: San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

The 2023-2024 State Budget allocates $78.1 million in ongoing funds to the Youth Corps program to provide a hand up to young people, ages 16-30, who are from low-income families, transitioning out of foster care, unemployed, out of school, or were involved in the mental health or justice systems.

“Through Youth Corps, we are telling our young people, no matter their background, we are going to invest in them because the truth is we need them,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We need them to contribute and serve our communities, we need their passion and energy, and we have committed to create the opportunities for them to do so.”

The State Budget also expands eligibility for Youth Corps to include AB 540 CA Dream Act Students and immigrant youth for fellowships and internships. The budget sets aside $2 million for tribal communities to participate in the program. The expansion will continue to ensure the program serves the most vulnerable.  

“We have a moral responsibility as a state to continue to defend, protect, and provide opportunities to undocumented youth,” said Luz Gallegos, TODEC Executive Director. “With the expansion of the eligibility for #CaliforniansForAll Youth Corps, we have the opportunity to invest in our future generations and our state’s economy.”

Youth Corps members throughout the state work with cities and counties to address food insecurity, climate change and COVID-19 recovery while gaining job skills and experience – paving the way for careers.

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s in San Diego where the mayors of California’s 13 largest cities submitted a letter to President Joe Biden touting the success of the program and urging his administration’s support to expand Youth Corps to additional cities and states.

“In San Diego, we’ve turned Youth Corps funding into an opportunity to invest in this city’s youth while launching careers in public service that will serve our city for years to come. Our program, Employ & Empower, has hosted 596 paid interns since its launch last summer and nearly a third of those interns were promoted to full-time positions at the city of San Diego,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who chairs the California Big City Mayors coalition. “I want to thank Governor Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins, Speaker Rivas and Speaker Emeritus Rendon for leading the state effort to make the Youth Corps program permanent to invest in the futures of young people in our state.”

As part of this innovative service and career development program, young people receive wrap-around services such as coaching and training while earning wages ranging from $15.50 to $30 per hour. Youth Corps members help cities and communities bolster their ability to address food insecurity, climate change and COVID-19 recovery. The statewide program is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.

“My experience going through the program was remarkable. I’ve learned so many new things,” said Manorack Sukhaseum, Youth Corps Alumnus from San Diego. “I’ve met so many great people and even more when I made the transition to a full-time city employee. I would encourage others to take a similar path as mine, especially if you are looking to get a rewarding job.”

Cities currently participating in Youth Corps are Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, San Jose, Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento, Stockton, Los Angeles, Anaheim, La Puente, Long Beach, Maywood, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, South Gate, San Bernardino, Big Bear Lake and Riverside. Participating counties are Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma, Nevada, Monterey, Merced and Stanislaus counties. With the expansion of this new state funding, grant applications will be available in 2024 for California municipalities.

“It is so important that we ensure that anyone, regardless of immigration status, can contribute to their communities as it is a key component of building the leaders of today and tomorrow. We applaud that the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Corps helps put young people front and center in their communities as they tackle the issues that impact them directly,” said Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Executive Director.

California Volunteers has a service force larger than the Peace Corps and administers AmeriCorps California programs including #CaliforniansForAll College Corps and California Climate Action Corps.

Learn more about #CaliforniansForAll Youth Corps at CAYouthCorps.com.

Visit CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov to learn more about paid and volunteer service opportunities.  

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH:

California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Katie Vavao, Katie.Vavao@CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov (916) 584-3620

B-Roll Footage:  

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor: Broll of Youth Corps Members doing service work 

WHAT MAYORS ARE SAYING:

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken:

“Bringing the Youth Corps to Anaheim profoundly impacted the lives of our young adults by teaching them valuable job skills while giving back to their community. Anaheim’s 2.5-acre urban school farm and agriscience center provides fresh food to the surrounding neighborhoods, teaches the students about nutrition and healthy lifestyles and develops career skills they can use in any profession.”

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh:

“The Bakersfield Youth Corps program creates transformative opportunities for at-risk youth. The invaluable program inspires the next generation of public and community servants as youth gain real-world work experience. We greatly appreciate the State of California’s investment and continuation of this important program.”

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer:

“The Youth Corps program has been a tremendous success in Fresno. The funding provided by the State has allowed us to not only hire and train youth and young adults, but to remove many of the barriers to employment such as transportation and childcare. I have seen firsthand the more we invest in these youth, the more their confidence level and self-esteem grows. I’m very thankful for the funding from the State.”

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan:

“Communities thrive when we invest and empower our youth through meaningful career pathways that encourage civic engagement. Irvine is proud to join the cohort of California’s biggest cities to implement our Youth Corps program, which will provide training, mentorship, and living-wage career-path opportunities to our most vulnerable youth.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson:

“We are proud to partner with California Volunteers to help deliver much needed resources that will help young people be great leaders. Programs like this help create public service pathways and long-term careers for our youth in Long Beach. We are committed to supporting our Youth Corps members and making sure they have the opportunities and skills they need to thrive in the future.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass:

“The younger generation is our future, and this ongoing state funding will help Los Angeles continue to create fulfilling jobs that allow for our young people to thrive. I want to thank the Governor, the legislature, and my fellow mayors for their partnership to support future generations.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

“Investing in career programs for our youth is essential in our efforts to increase public safety and improve the quality of life for Oakland’s families. I am so grateful for this investment into young Californians and the city of Oakland is ready to get more youth engaged in supporting their communities. Thank you, Governor Newsom for your continued investments into these critical career programs and the next generation of civic leaders.”

Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson:

“In Riverside, the Youth Corps program provides access to career opportunities for young people who are in need. Working with our city departments and local nonprofits, we’ve built a unique and customized experience that harnesses the talent in our community. This program is a game changer for us, and with this reinvestment from the State, we will continue to deliver meaningful jobs, provide hope, and build purpose for our youth.”

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg:

“Young people in Sacramento and throughout the country need pathways into quality jobs. Youth Corps delivers on that promise. With #CaliforniansForAll Youth Corps, Sacramento is creating jobs and providing training while growing our urban canopy and addressing food insecurity. We are investing these funds in youth job opportunities and training that address real challenges in our communities.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed:

“Programs like Governor Newsom’s Youth Corps provide young people with the opportunity to give back to their communities while gaining professional skills. Youth Corps will allow us to expand on the work we’ve done through San Francisco’s Opportunities For All program, which has connected thousands of youths across our city with enriching, paid, summer internships.”

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan:

“The Youth Corps is a win-win-win initiative. Our young people get good jobs and training. Our city gets essential work done. And we all get to witness the power of public service.”

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln:

“Youth Corps funding has changed the game for workforce development in Stockton. This summer, we employed over 300 youth and young adults at wages of up to $23 per hour, serving in city government roles and with four local community organizations. One of those non-profit partners specifically hires and serves foster youth in Stockton. Sustainable funding for Youth Corps programming is a direct investment in the future of our cities and our most valuable asset, our youth.”

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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.