Key Points
- States can combine service and employment opportunities to help young people better equip themselves with skills and goals.
- Opportunities to connect with communities help people understand where they fit in and seek to contribute positively.
To promote personal and community development, the state of California has launched the #Californiaforall College Corps program. This initiative will bring positive change not only to the students who participate, but also to the communities they serve.
At the heart of the College Corps program is the first paid state service and career development initiative established in partnership with community colleges and universities across the Golden State. One of the goals of the program is to help students graduate on time and reduce their debt, but what really sets it apart is its dual focus: while students are earning and learning, they’re also making tangible contributions in areas like climate action, K-12 education and food security.
Governor Gavin Newsom said, “These fee-for-service programs are about restoring the social contract between government and its citizens. “This public investment builds on a California Volunteer Corps that is larger than the Peace Corps and embodies the spirit and idealism I see in young people across California.”
“In a meeting with one student, she told me for the first time, unprompted, that she ‘believed in herself,'” he said. “That was my proudest moment. Yessenia Sanchez, a member of UCLA’s Academy Team, shared, “The Academy Team reminds me of the power of simple human kindness to combat the challenges that many communities face.”
Eligibility and Opportunities
The College Corps program is designed for full-time undergraduate students enrolled at partner campuses. Once onboarded, these students can engage in a variety of service opportunities:
- Tutoring and mentoring K-12 students, running after-school programs, and helping out at summer programs.
- Participating in climate action projects, including composting programs, tree planting, and erosion control. (A few months ago, we interviewed Josh Fryday, California’s chief service officer, about the California Climate Action Corps.)
- Contributing to the well-being of the community by engaging in community gardening and working at a food bank to address food insecurity.
For the first time, she volunteered to tell me that she “believed in herself.” “That was my proudest moment. The College Corps reminds me of the power of simple human kindness to overcome the challenges many communities face.
Yessenia Sanchez
Benefits That Resonate
Beyond the opportunity to serve, the benefits of participating in the College Corps program are manifold. Students receive a living stipend throughout their service and an educational award upon completion of the program. This financial aid is a major boost to help students reduce their educational debt.
Additionally, students gain real-world work experience to ensure they are better prepared for their post-graduation careers. There are also professional development trainings and networking opportunities. And let’s not forget that students can also earn credits to further enhance the value of their education.
The program also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment. As participants work toward a common goal, they build new relationships with young leaders across the state. They are part of a community striving for improvement, inspired by gratitude and a commitment to positive change.
“My College Corps experience has inspired me to keep looking for ways, big and small, to stay involved in my community and school, especially since I will be teaching in my own classroom next year,” said Emilio Ruiz, a College Corps Fellow from California State University, Long Beach.
Climate Action Corps
The initiative builds on the recent success of the California Climate Action Corps, which has recently made national news and has a great form of interest. From the announcement, “Five states across the country – California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, and Washington – have successfully launched Climate Corps programs, demonstrating the power of skills-based training as a tool for expanding pathways to good-paying jobs. Today, five new states – Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Maryland – are moving forward with state-based Climate Corps that are funded through public-private partnerships, including AmeriCorps, which will work with AmeriCorps as an implementation collaborator to ensure that young people across the country are serving their communities while participating in paid opportunities and engaging in programs that address climate change.”
As a result of the early success of this project, California will lead a community of practice for states that have recently adopted a climate team: .
What does this mean?
This program isn’t just about graduating on time or reducing debt; it’s about developing informed, compassionate, and proactive citizens ready to lead the future.
In a world where education is often a solitary pursuit, the UC Corps program is a testament to the power of collective growth and service. It’s an inspiring model that deserves to be emulated in other states, highlighting the potential of community-centered education.