Governor Gavin Newsom is officially kicking off the 2026 recruitment drive for the California Service Corps, and this year, there’s a new focus on reaching young men: It is already the largest state service program in the country—even bigger than the federal Peace Corps—and now, the California Service Corps is looking for ten thousand new members to hit the ground running. The Governor says this isn’t just about planting trees or tutoring students; it’s about combatting a growing “disconnection crisis.” New data shows that one in four men under thirty report having no close friends. In response, the state is launching the “California Men’s Service Challenge” to get young men back into the workforce and their communities.