Service Year Alliance Released the Following Statement Celebrating the State Budget Victory for Service Years in California:
“Despite a challenging fiscal year for the state, the California legislature fully funded the Climate Action Corps and Youth Jobs Corps service initiatives in the 2024 state budget, both of which are designed to make service more accessible to youth from all backgrounds and lived experiences. These state resources are a major victory for service years — both in California and across the country — and Service Year Alliance is proud of our team’s efforts to help ensure these investments were sustained.
Over the past year, Service Year Alliance engaged with dozens of California state lawmakers — both in-person in Sacramento and virtually — to educate them on the value of service years and urge them to fund these innovative new service initiatives in the state. This advocacy effort has borne fruit, with the 2024 budget secured and legislators newly enthusiastic about the possibility for service years to transform lives, strengthen communities, and fuel civic renewal. This robust state investment would not be possible without the leadership of service year champion Gov. Newsom, and Service Year Alliance’s advocacy work aims to build long-term sustainability for the Governor’s vision for service.
Not only were these two new service initiatives fully funded, but there is agreement that the state will continue to fund them in future years, with Climate Action Corps also projected to expand its corps member footprint. Climate Action Corps, Youth Jobs Corps, and the CA College Corps have paved the way for thousands of California youth to serve, gaining valuable professional experience while making a difference in their communities.
California’s commitment to equitable and accessible service year opportunities is a model for the rest of the nation. Service Year Alliance remains dedicated to expanding service year opportunities and defending the recent state expansions that have emerged over the past few years. Sustaining state funding long-term is a major victory, and Service Year Alliance is grateful to the Governor and legislative champions for their dedication to service years.”
