California Volunteers Recruiting in the Central Valley for the Nation’s Largest Service Force

California is now recruiting more than one thousand paid California Service Corps Members in the Central Valley to help their communities while tackling our state’s most pressing issues, gaining economic opportunities and shaping the future of the region’s workforce.

Merced, Calif. – Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and Merced River Union Elementary Superintendent Richard Lopez announced recruitment for more than one thousand service members in the Central Valley to join the California Service Corps. Members gain meaningful work experience while helping their communities and earning money.

“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, 10,000 service corps members will devote nearly five million hours to our communities as we work to build a California for all.”

Over the coming year, California Service Corps programs will be over 10,000 strong and members will serve nearly five million hours. Service members help communities by taking climate action, tutoring and mentoring students to help them succeed, supporting communities impacted by disasters, working to end hunger and connecting vulnerable people to vital resources and services.

California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, and Merced River Union Elementary Superintendent Richard Lopez join California Service Corps Members in Merced to promote recruitment for 1,000 paid service positions in the Central Valley.

“These are California’s future leaders, and we need their passion, energy and enthusiasm to address our greatest challenges,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “These programs pave pathways for prosperity, propel progress on our most pressing issues, and promote unity to help unravel the crisis of social isolation and division.”

California Service Corps is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and consists of four paid service programs: #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps and AmeriCorps California. Combined, it is a force larger than the Peace Corps and will be mobilized at a time when California is addressing the climate crisis, post-pandemic academic recovery and shaping the future of the state’s workforce.

“While service is a calling for many, it is also a transformative experience that deeply enriches both individuals and communities,” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “By joining this initiative, we cultivate leaders who understand the profound impact of serving others and inspire positive change throughout California and beyond.”

California Service Corps Members engage in a community service painting project, revitalizing a public space and making a positive impact on the Merced community.

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

“It is very exciting to see the California Service Corps announce their initiative of recruiting California’s future leaders in the Central Valley,” said State Senator Anna M. Caballero. “The California Service Corps continues to perform incredible work which will now be enhanced by the addition of incredible Central Valley leaders who are tackling today’s problems to provide a better tomorrow.”

“The spirit of serving and giving back to the community is embedded in the identity of the Central Valley. I am excited to see over 1,000 of our future leaders in the Central Valley step up to serve in the nation’s largest service force,” said State Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria. “The work they do in the California Service Corps will help support their communities while tackling the Central Valley’s most pressing issues.”

“We all need to take pride in our community and address issues that we are concerned about as citizens,” said Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto. “Volunteerism is the best way to do that, as it helps create a culture of responsibility, initiative and ownership, where we all do our part, no matter how small, to make our world a little better. Government can only do so much and can only take our communities so far, the people must rise up and answer the call to service in order to elevate our society.”

“The Merced River School District is fortunate to have partnered with AmeriCorps to help our students succeed. I strongly encourage all districts to partner with AmeriCorps. All students deserve access to a variety of support services to help them achieve academic success; AmeriCorps is a part of the solution.” said Richard Lopez, Superintendent, Merced River Union Elementary

“During my time with College Crops, I have been able to grow professionally. College Crops has also allowed me to serve the community of Merced and Merced County, as we help overcome social barriers in the area,” said Angelica Guadalupe, College Corps Fellow.

“Jumpstart offered numerous opportunities to serve the Fresno community, inspire others, and build lasting relationships. It is incredibly meaningful to positively impact the lives of children, who bring joy to the world,” said Adela Dolores, AmeriCorps Member.

Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity can learn more and apply at CAServiceCorps.com.   

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact California Volunteers: Fanny Klisturic, fanny.klisturic@cv.ca.gov, (916) 204-7524

Livestream: 

Full Length Press Conference

Related Footage and interviews:

B-Roll: California Service Corps
Interview: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday
Interview and b-roll: Chiena Ty, California Climate Action Corps Fellow
Interview and b-roll: Wendy Parmelee, AmeriCorps Alumni
Interview and b-roll: Chris Ashley, Youth Jobs Corps Member
Interview and b-roll: Wendi Lizola, College Corps Fellow
Spanish Interview & b-roll: Wendi Lizola, College Corps Fellow

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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 Californians to engage in public service.  

About California Volunteers Fund
California Volunteers Fund builds public-private partnerships on behalf of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor. Our mission is to increase the quality, scale, and sustainability of #CaliforniansForAll programs tackling the state’s pressing opportunities through service, volunteerism, and direct action.