California’s paid ‘service’ corps hits 10,000 members, $260MM budget
(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the California Service Corps, which pays individuals who volunteer to join and provide “community service” such as “taking climate action” or “combating food insecurity,” is set to hit 10,000 members this year. They can earn up to $33,000 per year plus health insurance and access to the state’s food stamp program.
“As we launch this new service year with the nation’s largest service corps, we reaffirm that service to others is the highest form of civic duty,” said Newsom in a statement. These paid opportunities embody the best of California’s values — a commitment to each other, mutual understanding, and the belief that when we lift others, we all rise together.”
As the California government reported earlier this summer, the state has lost 154,000 private sector jobs since September 2022, while gaining 361,000 government and government-related jobs.
With the state cutting, delaying, or shifting $47 billion in spending to address this year’s budget shortfall, and the federal pandemic era funding for the California Volunteer Corps running out, it’s unclear how the state will be able to sustain the program’s $260 million budget for the year — and what the effect on employment would be if the 10,000 individuals volunteering to be paid for service no longer had this program.
Payment and benefits vary, though the California Climate Corps pays an up to $33,000 stipend for the 11 month program, plus $10,000 towards tuition or student loans, forbearance on existing student loans and interest during the program, also included are childcare assistance, and food stamps. Applicants for this program — which is currently significantly funded by the federal government — must be citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States.
“This program provides you with hands-on experience in the climate sector and opportunities to lead projects focused on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery and wildfire resiliency,” says the state on its website. “You’ll earn a living allowance, receive training, earn certifications, and build professional skills while helping tackle our state’s most pressing environmental issues.”
The three other programs are AmeriCorps California, the state branch of the President Bill Clinton-founded national program created as a domestic version of the international-minded Peace Corps, College Corps, a social impact program for full-time college students, including DACA recipients, and the Youth Service Corps, which provides “young people (16-30) from underserved communities” with “hands-on experience with public agencies and nonprofits.”
College Corps students earn $10,000 for 450 hours of service, or over $22 per hour, while Youth Service Corps earn at least minimum wage.
However, if the state’s financial woes continue, this program, which puts participants into “meaningful public service career pathways” — namely government or nonprofit jobs — could face major cuts.
