Governor Newsom launches campaign to recruit young men, and all Californians, to serve communities and gain job skills

What you need to know: While Trump is cutting federal service programs and opportunities for young people, the Golden State is doubling down on investing in our future leaders and communities. California is launching a recruitment campaign to add 10,000 young people to the California Service Corps, get paid, and help tackle our state's most pressing challenges. This year's recruitment efforts will include the California Men's Service Challenge, a new initiative that encourages men to step up and serve their communities.

SACRAMENTO - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom kicked off the 2026 California Service Corps recruitment, calling on 10,000 young Californians to step up for their communities to join the California Service Corps - the nation's largest state service program, bigger than even the federal Peace Corps.

California Service Corps members gain hands-on experience, earn money for college and careers, and build valuable career skills. Members support communities by tutoring and mentoring students, responding to disasters, working in food banks, planting trees and protecting the environment, and connecting vulnerable Californians to critical resources and services.

We're calling on Californians to join up, lend a hand, and step out into the community. We see and feel the difference when California Service Corps members are on the ground, and engaging with their communities - making a lasting impact on our state. More than ever, California is committed to investing in the next generation of emerging leaders and ensuring their path towards success.

Governor Gavin Newsom

This year's recruitment efforts will highlight the California Men's Service Challenge, a new initiative that encourages men to step up and serve their communities through the California Service Corps, including volunteer and service opportunities with partner organizations. The CA Men's service challenge builds off of Governor Newsom's executive order to support the well-being of young men and boys.

Building belonging and finding connection

Young men are more disconnected from school, work, and relationships than ever before, with nearly one in four men under 30 years old reporting that they have no close friends, a five-fold increase since 1990, with higher rates of disconnection for young Black men. A lack of social connection is associated with increased risk of poor health, including mental health disorders, poverty, and even premature death.

This disconnection has pulled men out of the workplace. Labor force participation among men without a college degree is currently at historic lows, with about one in nine men aged 25-54 neither working nor looking for work. The unemployment rate for men in California is also higher than the rate for women, and college enrollment and completion rates for men have dropped significantly over the past decade.

"The California Service Corps has become a powerful force for good," said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. We have built a statewide army of Californians lifting up their communities while gaining experience, skills, connection and purpose. Today, we continue to call on a new generation of Californians to lead, solve problems and launch careers through service."

Impact on Californians

While Trump is cutting federal service programs and opportunities for young people, California is doubling down on investing in our future leaders and communities. Through service, California Service Corps members continue making a difference in the neighborhood that they serve.

• In 2024- 2025, members served more than 6 million hours, diverting tens of thousands of pounds of organic waste from landfills, planted over 40,000 trees, tutored and mentored tens of thousands of K-12 students.
• To meet the increased need at food banks when SNAP benefits were delayed as a result of the federal shutdown, more than 100 California Service Corps members were positioned to support.
• Last year, California Service Corps deployed 320 members to support disaster response and recovery efforts connected to the Los Angeles wildfires in taking donations and distributing food and clothes.

About the California Service Corps

The California Service Corps is a force larger than the Peace Corps and is the largest service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service programs:

• #CaliforniansForAll College Corps provides college students at participating colleges and universities the chance to serve on campus or at local nonprofits. Young leaders can earn up to $10,000 for 450 hours of service and the ability to make a real difference in their community. Program focus areas include K-12, climate action, and food insecurity.

• California Climate Action Corps fellows can play a role in reducing the impacts of climate change and earn pay toward their education if they successfully complete 1,700 hours of service. California Climate Action Corps Fellows serve in nonprofits, public agencies, tribal communities, and schools.

• Youth Service Corps members work with community organizations and local governments to provide critical local public services. Paid members gain work experience, learn new skills, and explore career opportunities.

• AmeriCorps California is the largest state AmeriCorps program in the nation, with more than 5,000 members currently serving at over 900 nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community centers across the Golden State. Service commitments can be from three months to one year, and many terms of service are full-time, including part- time opportunities.

From strengthening local schools to supporting disaster recovery efforts, California Service Corps members are helping address California's most pressing challenges while building pathways to careers. Learn more about each of these service opportunities at https://www.caservicecorps.com

Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity can learn more about the benefits and impact of service at a virtual workshop on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. Register here to attend.