ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week joined Maryland Corps and Service Year Option members for their all-corps gathering at the United States Naval Academy. Hosted by the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation, the event provided the governor with the opportunity to hear from the department’s
first-in-the-nation cohort of program participants about their experiences during the first half of their service year.
“Our state needs your service. You’re the ones who are helping us recognize there is more that unites us than divides us, and you’re the ones who are helping us find new ways to come together again,”
said Gov. Moore. “Thank you for raising your hands and for your contributions to making Maryland the state that serves—all of you are a part of the Maryland story.”
The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation is expanding service and volunteerism statewide, creating new pathways to meet community needs, enhance workforce development, and promote preparedness for both higher and vocational education. The department is home to the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps, in addition to bolstering the reach of existing volunteer opportunities through the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism. Service Year Option and Maryland Corps members are more than halfway through their service term, which will conclude in July.
Governor Moore began his visit by participating in a service project, assembling care packages for first responders and veterans. The packages will be distributed to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in St. Mary’s County and Anne Arundel Emergency Management.
Governor Moore also greeted members of the Maryland Service Commission and newly-formed Maryland Corps Advisory Board. The new 9-member board will provide oversight on the development and expansion of Maryland Corps, Service Year Option, and other aspects of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation.
To round out the visit, the governor met with Department of Service and Civic Innovation employees and recipients of the 39th annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, which recognize Marylanders who provide significant volunteer contributions to communities around the state. Across eight different categories, awards include:
- Schai Belair-Toussaint Schairer, Individual Award recipient
- Naomi Ling, Youth Award recipient
- Partners in Care Maryland, Inc., Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award recipient
- Clarksville Youth Care Group, Hometown Hero Award recipient
- Brandon Revels, Veteran Award recipient
- Ishaan Busireddy, Emerging Leader Award recipient
- Dr. Anwar Khokar, Volunteer Program Award recipient
- Captain Michael Zoeller, First Responder Award recipient
“It's been a banner week for service in Maryland, from celebrating AmeriCorps Week with AmeriCorps Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Smith to hosting the all-corps training in Annapolis and meeting some of our incredible new board members,”
said Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation Secretary Paul Monteiro. “The Department of Service and Civic Innovation team has truly been creating a state that serves and I am so proud to serve alongside them everyday.”
Recruitment for 2024-2025 service corps members and host site partners is now underway, with the new program cohort set to begin September 11. For more information visit
serve.maryland.gov; the priority deadline to apply is April 1.