ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore yesterday attended the inaugural Service Year Option and Maryland Corps member commencement. Together with member participants, Governor Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and members of the Moore-Miller Administration, City of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, members of the Maryland General Assembly, and host site partner representatives from across the state gathered to celebrate the milestone achievement.
“I am here because I believe you – our graduates – must take a leading role in the healing we need,” said Gov. Moore. “Your service will save us. And so that is my call to you: Know that you are prepared, know that you are where you need to be, and know that you need to make this moment count. And if you do that, I know that together, we are going to build a very bright future for our entire state.”
“Governor Moore and I believe that when we serve others, we shift from a life of consumption to a life of contribution, from a life of ‘me’ to a life of ‘we’—because in the end, what will matter is not what you get, but what you give,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “The Class of 2024, through their service, now has the privilege of shaping Maryland’s future and writing the next chapter for our state.”
The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation, in its first full year expanding service and volunteerism statewide, created new pathways of service to meet community needs and promote preparedness for professional development, higher education, and vocational training. Through the energy, creativity, and leadership of Service Year Option and Maryland Corps program members and host partner sites, Maryland is expanding its workforce for the 21st century economy.
“With Maryland’s rich history of civic engagement, community activism and volunteerism, we knew that Governor Moore’s call to action would receive a strong response from Marylanders both young and young at heart,” said Department of Service and Civic Innovation Secretary Paul Monteiro. “Not only did this first class exceed our expectations in terms of interest, their willingness to lean into uncharted territory and stay the course has been inspiring. We’re very proud and appreciative of our inaugural cohort.”
Service Year Option, the first-in-the nation public service year program for high school graduates, presents young adults who recently completed high school with opportunities to earn a living wage, gain new skills, and promote personal and professional growth. Members gain both hard and soft skills through a service placement aligned with their area of interest, in addition to working with support coaches to develop and refine their post-service plans—whether they include college, career, or continued service.
“Reflecting on my year of service, I am most proud of the statewide impact and reach that was created through this program. We proved that youth fresh out of high school can learn to lead and make impactful differences in their communities if given the chance,” said Service Year Option member Chris Keane. “Through my role with Horizon Goodwill, I was able to help find housing for youth and young adults who were unhoused and unsheltered and connect youth with healthcare, social resources, and employment to help reshape their futures.”
Maryland Corps is a service opportunity for people of all ages. Like Service Year Option, members earn a minimum of $15 dollars an hour working in organizations that provide job training and professional development. Program partnerships with both Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges provide an additional level of collaboration and support for members, in addition to alignment with skilled trades and apprenticeship programs to facilitate transition into continued education or the workforce.
“I was encouraged to apply for the Department of Service and Civic Innovation program for personal and professional growth, as well as to explore opportunities,” said Maryland Corps member Desja Wilson. “I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree at the University of Baltimore so it was very important to me to explore opportunities that I may never come across again and it allowed me to feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself.”
“This group mirrors the outcomes we see at our educational institutions when students are exposed to real-world experiential learning opportunities to hone essential skills, boost confidence and contribute to impactful solutions,” said Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux. “Governor Moore and his team at the Department of Service and Civic Innovation understand that these ambitious young Marylanders, once given the support services they need, will not only contribute to Maryland’s workforce, but many of them have plans to continue or embark on their higher education journeys.”
The first Service Year Option and Maryland Corps cohort is demographically representative of Maryland, with more than half of the cohort representing people of color and members hailing from all regions of the state. More than 70% are 25 years old or younger and more than 75% entered the program without a college degree.
Following completion of their service year, participants in both programs earn a completion award of $6,000. Members are also emerging from the program well-equipped to contribute to Maryland’s workforce, with more than 100 individuals earning registered apprenticeship credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor and more than 2,000 certified competencies in fields including project management and community outreach. Throughout the program, members also completed more than 38,000 hours of related technical instruction.
The Department of Service and Civic Innovation partnered with non- and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, and higher education institutions across the state to host members. Host site partners also represent a diverse spectrum of focus areas from education to environment and conservation, to health, information technology, public safety, and more.
“As a host site partner, the Maryland Department of State Police is proud to support young, career-minded individuals. But the value of the Service Year Option program extends far beyond career preparation,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler. “While our personnel inspired young people to explore a rewarding career in public service, their passion and enthusiasm reinvigorated our workforce. Congratulations to the inaugural class of Maryland’s new Service Year Option program.”
“BGE is extremely proud of the two members who served here in the inaugural cohort. Their impactful contributions brought fresh ideas and new energy to our team as we engaged our customers and communities,” said BGE President and Chief Executive Officer Carim Khouzami. “We are eager to expand our partnership as DSCI’s programs expand in scope. Based on BGE’s successful experience, we encourage our fellow private sector employers to consider hosting members from DSCI’s programs to enrich their workforces.”
“Service brings Americans together to strengthen communities and transform lives,” said AmeriCorps Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Smith. “Every day, thousands of Maryland AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers show up for their neighbors in need. Maryland Corps/Service Year Option is an accessible model to emulate and will inspire other states to deepen and expand their commitments. And this movement is possible because of people like Governor Moore, who proudly declares every chance he gets, ‘service will save us.'”
The next deadline for applications to be part of Service Year Option is July 22. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at serve.maryland.gov.
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