FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2025 

MEDIA CONTACT: Fanny Klisturic, fanny.klisturic@californiavolunteers.ca.gov, (916) 204-7524

California Creating Debt-Free Pathways to College through Service

What you need to know: California is recruiting 10,000 paid California Service Corps to serve their communities and help access a debt-free pathway to college. From disaster response to greening, food security and tutoring, members make a real impact while earning money for school – helping graduate with less debt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday announced California is seeking 10,000 people to join the California Service Corps. California Service Corps programs offer participants meaningful work experience while making a real impact in their communities — while reducing the burden of college debt.

Over the coming year, California Service Corps programs will be over 10,000 strong and serve nearly five million hours. Service members help support communities with urban greening, wildfire resiliency, tutoring and mentoring students, aiding in disaster recovery, combating food insecurity and connecting vulnerable populations to vital resources.

“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, our service members will provide critical support — whether responding to disasters like the LA fires or tackling critical issues like loneliness — as we work to build a California for all.”

In the Sacramento region there is over 1,500 paid positions available, where members will take on meaningful roles as tutors, mentors and engaging in local projects that uplift underserved neighborhoods.

The California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service programs:

• #CaliforniansForAll College Corps
• California Climate Action Corps
• Youth Service Corps
• AmeriCorps California

Together, these programs form a force larger than the Peace Corps, addressing California’s biggest challenges while empowering the next generation of leaders. Through programs like #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, participants will provide crucial support in K-12 education, urban greening and food security while allowing students to earn up to $10,000 towards college.

“In California, if you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college,” said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. “This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience and having a meaningful impact on your community.”

California Service Corps members gain skills and experience while connecting with others and making a positive difference. Additionally, service experiences foster a positive sense of connection and belonging, an answer to the loneliness crisis — as defined by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory.

Learn more and join at CAServiceCorps.com.

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH with GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. Contact Fanny Klisturic, fanny.klisturic@californiavolunteers.ca.gov, (916) 204-7524.

Related footage and interviews:

• B-roll: California Service Corps
• English Interviews: Go-Serve Director Josh Fryday and CSC member
• Spanish Interviews: Go-Serve Director Josh Fryday and CSC member

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

Gary S. May, UC Davis Chancellor:
“UC Davis commends California Volunteers for developing an innovative program that supports intersegmental partnership in jointly furthering student success and equity, while enabling community organizations to make positive contributions.”

Luke Wood, Sacramento State President:
“Sacramento State is proud to support California Volunteers and the Office of the Governor in this bold initiative to recruit 10,000 paid California Service Corps members. This presents a unique opportunity for our students to get involved in crucial community service efforts that make a lasting impact on their communities. We’re grateful programs like this exist to help the next generation of students get to college, graduate and gain invaluable experience.”

Albert Garcia, Sacramento City College President:
“California Service Corps programs do so much good for our young people and for our communities. The real-life experience members receive leads them towards better outcomes in their college classes and preparation for careers while also engaging them in their communities and tangibly improving the places in which we live. These programs benefit all of us.”

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Majority Leader:
“California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is such an incredible opportunity for people — young, old and in between — to participate in really meaningful public service activities that help others and build skills they can take with them through life and in their professional careers. Volunteers are tackling some of our state’s biggest challenges like climate change, food insecurity and wildfire recovery. They’re doing it in their local communities all across California, and it’s making us more united and stronger. If you’re the least bit curious, sign up. We’re only going to be better when we all do our part.”

Kenni Diaz, College Corps fellow:
“College Corps has been a life-changing experience — a powerful reminder that when students come together to support their communities, real change begins. It opens our eyes to where the work truly needs to be done and gives us the chance to build meaningful relationships with the very people and organizations that once supported us.”

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