Governor Newsom builds nation’s largest state service corps — 50,000 members sworn in since 2019

Supporting service alumni

Governor Newsom also today launched the California Service Corps Alumni Network to support employment pathways for those who have served.

The network will bring together more than 50,000 Californians who have served through AmeriCorps California, College Corps, California Climate Action Corps and Youth Service Corps during the Newsom administration.

Through the network, alumni can connect with one another, access career-development and networking opportunities, learn about jobs, and find new ways to remain involved in service. It will help alumni build on the skills, experience, and relationships developed during their service terms.

The California Service Corps grew during the Newsom administration to become the largest state-level service force in the nation — larger than the Peace Corps.

To learn more, visit CAServiceCorps.com.

Building on California’s work to support boys and men

Across the nation, the data is stark. Too many young men are growing up disconnected — without close friendships, without pathways to work, and without a clear sense of purpose.

Men in California die by suicide at 3.6x the rate of women and are far less likely to seek help.
From 2019 to 2023, the suicide rate among California boys ages 10 to 19 was twice the rate among girls of the same age.
Men are more than 3x as likely to die from drug overdose.
Male veterans account for 15% of suicide deaths in California, despite being just 2.9% of the population.
Nearly 1 in 4 young men report having no close friends.

California’s approach to mental health recognizes that effective prevention must respond to different patterns — strengthening support for all young people while developing targeted strategies to reach populations at greatest risk.

Building on the state’s work to support boys and men, California is taking a whole-of-government, lifecycle approach to meet this moment — starting early in education, expanding mentorship and service opportunities, creating stronger pathways into high-demand careers, and scaling behavioral health supports. In September, California surpassed its goal of engaging 10,000 men in mentoring, service, and volunteering, part of Governor Newsom’s broader effort to support boys and men in finding connection, purpose, and opportunity. Now, the Men’s Service Challenge is expanding its focus beyond community service to connect men with careers in public service.

These service opportunities are part of the Newsom administration’s broader work to expand pathways to employment, strengthen behavioral health supports, and help boys and men build connection and purpose:

195,000+ men trained through workforce programs since 2020
8,800+ men supported through reentry employment pathways
500,000+ youth and families reached with behavioral health supports
+275% growth in use of BrightLife Kids and Soluna platforms since early 2025
Surpassed the goal of engaging 10,000 young men in service and volunteering through the Men’s Service Challenge in September 2026

California has also taken action to bring opportunities to light for boys and men, such as training for the Emergency Medical Service Corps and expanding outreach in health professions where men are underrepresented.

A legacy of service

When Governor Newsom was inaugurated in 2019, California Volunteers administered the federal AmeriCorps program. Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California Volunteers expanded with state resources to create:

🎓 #CaliforniansForAll College Corps: Partnering with California colleges and universities, this branch of the program allows fellows to serve on campus or with local community nonprofits. Fellows address issues like K–12 education, climate action, and food insecurity while gaining hands-on experience, leadership skills, and up to $10,000 in financial support for their education.
🌎 California Climate Action Corps: Created to help Californians take meaningful action to protect the planet, fellows in this program serve with public agencies, nonprofits, tribal communities, and schools. Their service activities focus on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, wildfire resiliency, and other work that addresses climate challenges.
👟 Youth Service Corps: Working in their local communities, this program gives young people the opportunity to support their community while gaining valuable work experience. As paid members, participants work with local governments and community organizations, learn new skills, and explore career opportunities.

These opportunities were created to address the state’s challenges and provide more paid service opportunities for Californians. California Service Corps members earn money while serving their communities in emergency response, feeding the hungry, tutoring and mentoring students, and taking climate action. Throughout the state, they serve in classrooms, food banks, nonprofits, and community gardens.

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