By Service Year Alliance

  |  November 14, 2016

On November 14, 2016, Service Year Alliance launched the next chapter of the service year movement in front of a crowd of 350 partners, supporters, and service year corps members and alumni. 

Chaired by an impressive group of leaders, the launch event featured exciting announcements and speakers from some of our nation’s top companies, philanthropists, nonprofits, higher education institutions and more — all coming together in pursuit of our shared vision: when a service year is a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans.

Service Year Alliance Launch Chairs include:

• Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Founder, The McChrystal Group & Chairman, Service Year Alliance
• Madeleine Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State
• Scooter Braun, Founder, SB Projects
• Jean Case, CEO, Case Foundation & Chairman, National Geographic Society
• Arne Duncan, Managing Director, Emerson Collective & Former U.S. Secretary of Education
• Joe Gebbia, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer, Airbnb
• Walter Isaacson, President & CEO, The Aspen Institute
• Jimmy Kimmel, Television Host & Comedian
• Wes Moore, Founder & CEO, BridgeEdu
• Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State

At the event, Service Year Alliance released a 4-year strategic plan and progress report detailing our collective efforts to achieve this vision. 

Download the Plan and Report Here

On the heels of a presidential election that reminds how much work we have to do as a nation to bridge divides between people of different backgrounds, it was refreshing to hear from so many about the power of a service year to unite us as a country. 

After an election season that has exposed so many differences and divisions and anxieties, this work becomes even more urgent. Now more than ever it is critical that we create far more opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to serve alongside one another, improving our communities while becoming the active citizens and leaders our country so deeply needs.

While it’s important to come together and feel inspired and motivated, what comes next is what will define this movement at this critical juncture for our nation — moving from talk to action is what will change lives.

You heard commitments at the event, but those are just the start — we also need commitments from you.

Here are a few ways to get involved:  

Higher Education Institutions: 

Learn more about our higher education work and become a member of the Service Year EDU Network.

Employers: 

Become an Employer of National Service to find great talent. 

AmeriCorps alumni, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, YouthBuild grads, and Veterans:

Become a local advocate or Community Team Leader to build the service year movement in your community.

Parents: 

Talk to your children about doing a service year, and have them explore opportunities at ServiceYear.org.

Nonprofits, Universities, or Government Agencies: 

Explore our toolkits and learn more about starting a service year program.

Service Year Programs:

Join ServiceYear.org or become a part of a working group to grow service years in your community. 

Funders: 

Donate to support Service Year Alliance's efforts. 

Supporters: 

Join the movement and support our efforts. 

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We look forward to continuing our work together on this next chapter of the service year movement. We are thrilled you are in this with us and committed to making bold progress in the months and years ahead.

Here are a few of the highlights from the launch event. Let's keep up this incredible momentum!