CAREER RESOURCES

California Service Corps

Get paid to serve your community. Programs last from 2 months to 1 year.

How These Programs Work

Every program pays you while you gain experience serving the community. In general, stipends don't count as income for public benefits. That means you may still be able to get CalFresh and Medi-Cal.

Programs can be different in:

  • Who can join
  • What you do
  • How long a placement lasts
  • How many hours you serve each week
  • Benefits
  • How much you commit to. Some programs ask you to commit to a "service term," a set length and number of hours.
  • When you can apply. Some programs take applications at set times each year. Others take them any time.

Learn more about the California Service Corps

Compare the Programs

As of August 2026. Check each program's website for full details on who can join. All programs also give you pay, experience, and skills.

AmeriCorps State

Length:
2 to 12 months, part-time or full-time
When to apply:
Some programs take applications any time. Others have set dates.
Who can join:
  • Age 17 or older
  • U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident
  • Must pass a national criminal background check
Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid sick time, vacation, and holidays
  • Paid career development
  • Help paying for childcare (if you qualify)
  • Up to $10,000 for school when you finish

California Climate Action Corps

Length:
11 months, full-time
When to apply:
Once a year, May through July. Positions start in September.
Who can join:
  • Age 18 or older
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful U.S. resident
  • No history of violent or sexual offenses
Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid sick time, vacation, and holidays
  • Paid career development
  • Help paying for childcare (if you qualify)
  • Up to $10,000 for school when you finish

College Corps

Length:
A full school year
When to apply:
Not listed. Likely on a schedule like college applications.
Who can join:
  • Full-time undergraduate student at a participating college
  • U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or legal permanent resident
  • Show financial need (like qualifying for FAFSA)
Benefits:
Money for school after you finish 450 service hours

Youth Service Corps

Length:
Not listed
When to apply:
Not listed. May depend on the placement.
Who can join:
Ages 16 to 30, and at least one of these:
  • In foster care or leaving foster care
  • Involved with the justice system now or in the past
  • Getting behavioral health services
  • Low income
  • Having trouble finding a job
  • Unemployed or out of school
Benefits:
  • Support like case management, emergency housing, and transportation
  • Resume help and career counseling
  • Special job training and certifications

More About Each Program

AmeriCorps through California Volunteers

Serve with public agencies, nonprofits, or schools. You might help people build financial stability, prepare for disasters, support fair health outcomes, or protect the environment.

Local organizations:

  • Neighbor-to-Neighbor (Butte County)
  • GRID Alternatives (statewide)
  • Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) (many northeastern counties)
  • GrizzlyCorps (Plumas County)

See California AmeriCorps programs

California Climate Action Corps

A state AmeriCorps program. Serve with public agencies, nonprofits, schools, or tribal communities to protect the planet. Work may include urban greening, food waste recovery, and wildfire resilience.

Local organizations:

  • Butte Environmental Council
  • California State University, Chico
  • Center for Healthy Communities, CSU Chico

Apply to the Climate Action Corps

College Corps

Serve with public agencies, nonprofits, or K-12 schools. You might tutor and mentor students, fight hunger, or take climate action.

Local organizations:

  • Butte Community College
  • Chico State

Learn about College Corps

Youth Service Corps

Serve with public agencies or nonprofits. You might support public services, fight hunger, or work on climate issues.

Local organizations:

  • Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria

Learn about Youth Service Corps

Other AmeriCorps Programs

California Volunteers isn't the only AmeriCorps program in California. Every AmeriCorps program is paid, and you serve the community.

Other Corps Programs

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