The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation celebrated the commencement of the third class of the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option (MC/SYO) Program today. The Class Three Commencement culminated a year of service to communities across the state and recognized over 600 members who have or are expected to complete their service by September 1, 2026.

The commencement was attended by Governor Wes Moore and members of the Moore-Miller Administration, members of the Maryland General Assembly, and host site partners who joined to congratulate the hundreds of Service Members who will complete the program this year.

"Take a moment to congratulate yourself on choosing service because your service will be the thing that saves us,” said Gov. Moore. “Today we celebrate your choice to pursue a purpose for yourself and for your community. We are all grateful that you took that first step, because Maryland needs your leadership.” 

Class Three of the Maryland Corps and Service Year Option program has achieved new heights in diversity and operational reach. More than 90% of the Members that started in the program are 24 years old or younger. More than 65% entered the program without a college degree. 

​The historic Service Year Option—the first-in-the nation public service year program for high school graduates—is a service opportunity for young adults who recently completed high school or equivalent. Maryland Corps is a service opportunity for people of all ages. Both pathways create new opportunities to meet community needs across the state, enhance workforce development, and promote preparedness for both higher and vocational education.

The Department of Service and Civic Innovation, which manages the MC/SYO program, launched three new, specialized service corps: the IT Accessibility Corps, Benefits Navigator Corps, and Youth Mental Health Corps while simultaneously expanding the Maryland Climate Corps. These corps empower Members to gain competencies and career training in specific fields. The corps are the result of innovative program design between DSCI, partner organizations, and national initiatives. DSCI partnered with more than 200 employer host site partners representing a cross-section of nonprofit organizations, businesses, and public agencies hosted members.

“Class three has propelled the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program to the next level. I’m proud of all the ways our Members served the state, accelerated their careers, and built new bonds across lines of difference,” said Jonny Dorsey, Secretary for the Department of Service and Civic Innovation. “At a time when entry level jobs are hard to find and limited resources require hard tradeoffs for organizations of all sizes, activating these young people is exactly what the state needs. They are ready to meet this moment.” 

Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program has grown by hundreds of new Service Members every year since its creation in 2023. The program continues to provide a pathway for young people in Maryland who have completed high school to launch their career and serve communities in every corner of the state. 

The Department of Service and Civic Innovation is still actively recruiting Members and employment partners to participate in Class 4 of the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program, which will officially launch in September. Visit serve.maryland.gov to learn more and apply to be a Member or Employment Partner.