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NEW: Young Americans Support the American Climate Corps, See Career Growth and Community-Building Opportunities in Green Jobs

While awareness of the ACC is limited, 73% of adults under 27 approve of the program. In focus groups, young people see the green industry as an area where they can attain job security and long-term career growth.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New research from Data for Progress and Service Year Alliance finds that while they have heard little so far about the American Climate Corps, young people overwhelmingly say climate change is a concern and they want to take personal actions to protect our planet for future generations.

This past summer, the White House swore in the first class of the American Climate Corps (ACC), a federally supported workforce training and national service program that employs thousands of young Americans to tackle the climate crisis and its impacts.

The new research includes a national survey of young adults ages 18-26 and three national focus groups of 18- to 29-year-olds, both with a particular focus on BIPOC communities. Some of the top findings from the survey include:

• 81% of young people say that “climate change poses a serious threat to our future.”
• 67% of young people agree that they want to take more personal action to address climate change.
• 73% have a favorable opinion of the ACC.

Service Year Alliance released the following statement in support of the Promoting Service through AmeriCorps (PSA) Act of 2024

Service Year Alliance is proud to voice our support for the Promoting Service through AmeriCorps (PSA) Act of 2024. Introduced in bipartisan fashion by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA), the PSA Act modernizes the AmeriCorps agency and strengthens the corps member experience - investments that will advance our shared vision of making service years a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans.

“We applaud the efforts of Senators Coons and Cassidy as well as Representatives Graves and Matsui to introduce the PSA Act, and with it, a commonsense set of reforms that enhance the corps member experience and care for the more than 1.3 million AmeriCorps alums,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “It’s a fitting tribute to the founding class of AmeriCorps members who pledged to ‘get things done’ 30 years ago. This legislation can help ensure current and future generations of Americans will have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.”

After more than eight years of impact, ServiceYear.org will officially pause operation on October 1, 2024. Through this wind down, our active support for the site will pause and functionality including the platform’s interactive portal will no longer be available to prospective and current service year applicants, host organizations, and service year alums. 

We’re committed to working with you through this transition. Visit our FAQ to learn more about steps you can take to prepare. 

This platform was established in 2015 with a simple purpose: to connect young people interested in doing a service year with paid service year opportunities. With your support and collaboration, we’ve been able to deliver on that promise, including helping enable more than 98,000 applications across 54,000 service year opportunities at over 600 host organizations. 

Service Year Alliance released the following statement in response to the Proposed Cuts to AmeriCorps and the American Climate Corps in the FY25 Budget: 

If enacted, the FY25 budget as proposed through House Appropriations Committee markups would not just slash funding for AmeriCorps and the American Climate Corps, but would irreparably set back national service in our country for years to come. Service Year Alliance is alarmed by these cuts and we urge Congress to not only reject this proposal but further bolster the FY24 enacted levels with an additional $345 million. Doing so will restore AmeriCorps to FY23 levels, spur necessary innovation and expansion, and bring us closer to achieving the vision set forth when AmeriCorps was founded 30 years ago: that every American who wanted to serve would have the chance to do so.

Houlahan, Panetta, Waltz, Bergman Introduce the Unity Through Service Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Michael Waltz (R-FL), and Jack Bergman (R-MI) introduced the Unity Through Service Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would establish the Interagency Council on Service to coordinate reviews of current programs and plan new strategies for recruitment. It would authorize a joint advertising and recruitment program with the Department of Defense, the National and Community Service, and the Peace Corps in order to share information. Moreover, the bill would help transitioning service members find future service opportunities and create a quadrennial report to Congress about public service initiatives.

The legislation is a direct result of the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service’s 2020 report, which included 124 recommendations. Rep. Panetta, in his role as then-cochair of the For Country Caucus, introduced the totality of the commission’s recommendations as the Inspire to Serve Act of 2021, which was co-led by Reps. Houlahan, Waltz, and others. The Unity Through Service Act represents one portion of that larger legislative package.

Senator Coons, Young introduce bipartisan legislation to create new AmeriCorps program aimed at reducing polarization

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Building Civic Bridges Act, to establish a pilot program through AmeriCorps that would empower local communities to address contentious civic issues and reduce polarization at the local level. The House companion bill was introduced by Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Andy Barr (R-Ky.)

“Our nation is more polarized than ever, and rebuilding public trust in our country starts with finding ways to address that issue,” said Senator Coons. “This bill will play a crucial role in strengthening civics locally and providing local communities with the resources needed to promote civic engagement. I am grateful to Representatives Kilmer and Barr for spearheading this bipartisan effort with us.”

“Amid growing polarization, civic engagement and debate are essential to maintaining the American spirit,” said Senator Young. “Our bipartisan bill will help bring Americans together to engage respectfully and constructively, promoting positive conversation and greater unity across the nation.”

Service Year Alliance is doubling efforts to make service years more accessible through innovations tied to the corps member experience and opportunities for individuals after their service, and by unlocking additional federal and state resources to grow the number of positions available each year.

Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Reduce Polarization and Support Community Bridge-Building

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the Building Civic Bridges Act (BCBA), bipartisan legislation to support communities in addressing sources of division by aiding local civic and community organizations. These efforts aim to confront contentious issues and, ultimately, bridge divides.

A January 2022 NBC News poll revealed that 70% of Americans believe the country’s deep divisions prevent it from addressing major issues, a significant increase from 45% in 2010. This growing polarization raises concerns about the stability of American democracy. The poll also found that 76% of Americans, cutting across party lines, see democracy and majority rule in the U.S. as being at risk.

The Bipartisan Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship has highlighted a discrepancy in the U.S. government’s approach to fostering social cohesion. While the National Endowment for Democracy invests millions overseas in civic bridgebuilding to strengthen democracy, similar efforts are absent in the U.S.

“While the Administration's budget request includes important milestones that Service Year Alliance has championed for years - like continuing to increase the living allowance and supporting more American Climate Corps members,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance, "it does not keep us on track to make service an integral part of growing up in America, where it brings people together across lines of difference, creates opportunities for young people, and solves our most pressing challenges at scale.”