More than 29,000 seniors in California contribute their time and talents in one of three Senior Corps programs. Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to more than 9,600 young people who have special needs. Senior Companions help more than 3,600 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers conduct safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects, tutor and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services through more than 3,900 groups across California.

This year AmeriCorps will provide more than 7,200 individuals the opportunity to provide intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, public safety and other pressing needs in communities across California. Roughly three-quarters of all AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the Governor-appointed California Service Corps, which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed by the Corporation directly to multi-state and national organizations through a competitive grants process. Other individuals will serve through AmeriCorps VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses and increase housing opportunities, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a 10-month, full time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of up to $4,725 that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994, more than 67,000 California residents have qualified for AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $201,000,000.

Learn and Serve America provides grants to schools, colleges, and nonprofit groups to support efforts to engage more than 200,000 California students in community service linked to academic achievement and the development of civic skills. This type of learning, called service learning, improves communities while preparing young people for a lifetime of responsible citizenship. In addition to providing grants, Learn and Serve America serves as a resource on service and service-learning to teachers, faculty members, schools, and community groups.