FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: Karie Portillo, Karie.Portillo@cv.ca.gov, 916-584-1705

GO-Serve, State Attorney General Highlight Efforts to Protect State from Trump’s Reckless Cuts, Reinforcing the Power of Service in the Bay Area

What you need to know: After a year of attacks on AmeriCorps, the state is doubling down on service. California recognizes service is essential to meeting urgent needs and AmeriCorps California programs continue to make an impact on early literacy while helping children recover from pandemic learning loss. Through investments in service and partnerships with local organizations, the state is ensuring communities have the support, connection and capacity they need to move forward.

SAN FRANCISCO — Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (Go-Serve) Director Josh Fryday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Reading Partners Interim Executive Director Hong Thach and AmeriCorps California members served together today to underscore the importance of volunteering during this season of giving and to highlight California’s work to continue to defend and invest in AmeriCorps, especially after federal funding cuts.

“Today we highlight the need to stand up to the Trump Administration for our values and for each other. We are standing firm to defend AmeriCorps in California and together we’re demonstrating the power of service to strengthen our communities,” said California Chief Service Officer and GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. “I’m grateful to Attorney General Rob Bonta for standing with us to protect service and to Reading Partners which continues to strengthen communities across the Bay Area.”

GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday, Attorney General Rob Bonta and AmeriCorps California members read to students at César Chávez Elementary School in San Francisco.

Attorney General Bonta and Director Fryday joined AmeriCorps California members serving with Reading Partners to lead tutoring sessions with students in the César Chávez Elementary School’s literacy center. The tutoring helps students build the foundational skills, comprehension and fluency needed for academic success.

“When we invest in AmeriCorps, we invest in people, potential and progress,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today, I got to see first-hand how AmeriCorps service members are lifting up the next generation of students through programs like Reading Partners. Amid all of the challenges over this past year, these service members have remained undaunted in their dedication to serving their communities. My office will continue to stand up for them and fight to protect AmeriCorps and its spirit of giving this holiday season.”

From left, a Reading Partners staff member and AmeriCorps California alum, Reading Partners Program Manager and AmeriCorps California alum Lauren Cono, GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Reading Partners SF Bay Area Interim Executive Director Hong Thach speak about the importance of service and investment in AmeriCorps California programs to impact early literacy.

Earlier this year after the Trump Administration abruptly cut funding for AmeriCorps and thousands of California service members lost their positions overnight, Attorney General Bonta and a multi-state coalition successfully sued and forced the reinstatement of federal AmeriCorps funding. The Trump Administration also agreed to release an additional $184 million rather than continue defending its unlawful actions.

“At Reading Partners, our focus is on supporting students and communities through the service of hundreds of AmeriCorps members in California. In addition to building trusting relationships with students in our dedicated reading centers, AmeriCorps members also collaborate closely with our school partners, principals and teachers to ensure our program is part of an integrated approach to learning. Without AmeriCorps, Reading Partners would not be able to operate at the scale required to meet community needs,” said Hong Thach, Reading Partners Interim Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Area.

Despite the Trump Administration’s continued attempts to divide communities and restrict resources, California is doubling down on service. GO-Serve is working to protect service and expand access to the support that communities need. Service is how California meets the moment and fills the gaps for individuals and families who depend on real help. Californians can learn more and find paid service opportunities at CAServiceCorps.com.

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH with GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. Contact Karie Portillo, Karie.Portillo@cv.ca.gov, 916-584-1705.

RELATED FOOTAGE AND INTERVIEWS:

B-roll: Go-Serve Director Josh Fryday & Attorney General Bonta Highlight Reading Partners
Photos: AmeriCorps California
Video: Director Fryday and Attorney General Bonta

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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor 
California Volunteers, under GO-Serve, empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting Californians to engage in public service.