For Immediate Release
May 28, 2021
Contact: Cristina Valdivia Aguilar, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, (916) 508-9018

Historic Investment in #CaliforniansForAll College Service Program Proposed in Governor’s California Comeback Plan

 

SACRAMENTO – As part of the governor’s California Comeback Plan, the biggest economic recovery package in California history, Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed a historic state-level investment in service with the creation of the #CaliforniansForAll College Program. 

The 2021-22 Governor’s California Comeback Plan proposes $285.2 million ($239.4 million federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and $45.8 million General Fund) to create the #CaliforniansForAll College Service Program in partnership with California private universities and the University of California, California State University and California Community College systems. 

“This is a historic investment to create opportunities for young people to serve their communities and pursue their dreams,” said Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday.

Modeled after the pilot Civic Action Fellowship (launched by California Volunteers in 2020), the #CaliforniansForAll College Program aims to create debt-free pathways for low-income students to tackle our greatest challenges, inspire a new generation to serve, and unite our communities. This program will provide up to 12,500 college students with service opportunities in critical issue areas such as climate action, education, and youth development, specifically tutoring and mentoring, health, and disaster response.  Students will have both the opportunity to receive a stipend of up to $7,000 and scholarship of up to $3,000, while gaining valuable experience serving in their communities. This program intends to unite young Californians of all backgrounds in service, and specifically creates opportunities for AB 540 eligible Dreamers to serve their communities. 

“UC Merced has been honored to participate in the pilot launch of this initiative. Over the year, participating UC Merced students will learn and employ new skills, create relationships within the community, and integrate their service with their academic work in a plan that keeps them on track to graduate in four years and reduce the need for them to rely on loans to cover their cost of attendance,” said UC Merced Vice Chancellor Charles Nies. “The potential positive impact on students and communities across the state is powerful.”

As part of the pre-existing Civic Action Fellowship, UC Merced Civic Action Fellows have been providing tutoring to students in six elementary schools throughout Merced County. Currently, the Civic Action Fellowship is a partnership between California Volunteers, and a coalition of eight public and private universities creating an innovative program designed to help students pay for college through public service. 

###

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.