Service Year Alliance today released policy recommendations for the next U.S. presidential administration, elected officials, and policymakers that advance our vision to make national service a part of growing up in America.
This is a consequential moment to make a profound impact on young Americans and the future of our country. That is why we urge the next administration, along with elected officials and policymakers, to champion a year of paid, full-time civilian national service — a service year — that is accessible for young Americans of all backgrounds, addresses the most pressing challenges facing local communities, inspires civic engagement and social cohesion, and puts the next generation on a pathway to good-paying jobs or higher education.
Download Policy Recommendations
Today, America is grappling with existential questions about the future - about the economy, the environment, the potential for the next generation to earn and maintain fulfilling and family-sustaining careers, and our collective ability to come together as a country.
It’s time to rethink the role young people play in solving these key challenges. But we can’t just look to the next generation and expect them to solve issues that are deeply embedded in our culture. Instead, we must empower them with new ways to lead and pave a path toward a future where they are prepared to become the future employers, politicians, educators, neighbors, engaged citizens, and leaders that America needs.
Spending a year in national service develops empathetic leaders, builds skills for success in a changing economy, and offers solutions for creating more resilient communities — and we should be doing everything in our power to make it an opportunity for all. To make national service part of growing up in America, we must adapt to the current moment - and we must grow the number of service year opportunities - so that Americans from all walks of life can spend a year in service and are supported throughout and after their service year.
In order to reach our ambitious vision of making national service part of growing up in America, we must build a strong foundation for the future of national service that prioritizes innovation and equity and reimagines what it means to spend a year serving our country and communities.
This new foundation for national service must be built on the following principles. National service should:
- Exist at scale, engaging at least one million young Americans in civilian national service annually
- Address America’s unmet needs
- Bridge divides and fuel civic renewal
- Be an opportunity for all
- Build pathways to long-term success for individuals who serve through benefits and connectivity to future education and careers
For more information about our recommendations, please contact Maureen Eccleston at: [email protected].
