By Stephen Oduntan
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — A statewide initiative aimed at recruiting thousands of young people into paid public service roles is expanding across California, with officials highlighting opportunities for residents in South Los Angeles.
The California Service Corps, the largest paid service program in the nation, is currently recruiting up to 10,000 members to work in areas such as education, environmental protection and community outreach.
The program offers stipends and hands-on experience, with positions designed to help participants build skills while addressing pressing issues in their communities.
Through several branches — including College Corps, Youth Service Corps, California Climate Action Corps and AmeriCorps California — participants take on roles ranging from tutoring students to supporting climate resilience projects.
According to state officials, more than 3,400 positions are available across the Los Angeles area as part of the broader statewide recruitment effort.
A breakdown of those roles includes:
- • College Corps: 1,283 positions
- • Youth Service Corps: 1,611 positions
- • California Climate Action Corps: 142 positions
- • AmeriCorps California: 381 positions
Many of the positions do not require a college degree, and some programs are open to participants as young as 16.
Officials say the program is designed to reach communities that have historically had fewer access points to career-building opportunities, including South Los Angeles.
“We have programs in South Los Angeles … across multiple service corps initiatives,” said Josh Fryday, California’s chief service officer, during a recent media briefing.
A specific breakdown for South Los Angeles was not immediately available. State officials said additional regional and demographic data may be released later this week.
Participants say the program provides both practical experience and a chance to give back.
Saxon, a current service member, described the work as meaningful but demanding.
“The work is hard, especially when it’s something you care about deeply,” Saxon said. “Maintaining a work-life balance is something we’re all learning.”
Michael, another participant, said one of the biggest challenges is connecting communities with available resources.
“In communities like South Los Angeles, people aren’t always aware of these opportunities,” he said. “A big part of the work is building trust and helping people understand what’s available.”
State officials say the program is also intended to help participants transition into long-term employment.
According to Fryday, early results from a pilot initiative show that a majority of participants move into full-time opportunities after completing their service.
“We’re seeing strong outcomes,” he said, noting that the state is continuing to track long-term results.
Recruitment is ongoing, and officials encourage interested applicants to explore opportunities through the California Service Corps website.
Programs are open to a wide range of participants, including students, young adults and individuals seeking career transitions.
As the program continues to expand, state leaders say outreach will be key to ensuring that communities like South Los Angeles are aware of and able to access these opportunities.
Additional data on participation and local impact is expected in the coming days.
Stephen Oduntan is a freelance writer for Wave Newspapers.
