Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited Maryland, championing the critical role of service and civic engagement, particularly among young people. Her visit highlighted the innovative Maryland Service Year Option program and reinforced the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to fostering a new generation of leaders dedicated to public service.
Governor Wes Moore speaking at DSCI event
Maryland Governor Wes Moore warmly welcomed Vice President Harris, emphasizing her inspiring journey as a testament to the power of service. Governor Moore stated, “Vice President Kamala Harris is a changemaker and a trailblazer. We are honored to host her in Maryland to share her message of service with our young people.” He further connected her visit to the state’s commitment to civic duty by adding, “Our administration launched the Maryland Service Year Option because we recognized that in this moment of challenge for our country, service will save us. Vice President Harris’ journey is a testament to the power of that philosophy, and her example has inspired – and will continue to inspire – a new generation of leaders to raise their hands and give back to the country we love.” This highlights the alignment between the Vice President’s advocacy and Maryland’s proactive approach to public service.
The focus of Vice President Harris’s visit was the Maryland Service Year Option, a groundbreaking initiative – the first of its kind in the nation. This public service year program provides recent high school graduates with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful service roles. Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller underscored the transformative nature of service, noting, “When we serve, we shift from a life of consumption to a life of contribution.” She elaborated on the state’s dedication to empowering its citizens: “I’m a believer that people inherently want to bring change, they just need opportunities to do it. I’m proud to help lead a state that provides that opportunity, and even more proud to see our Maryland Corps and Service Year Option grads take the next step in their journey.”
Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks also spoke to the significance of Vice President Harris’s presence and Maryland’s dedication to public service. “It’s a privilege to serve a state that believes not only in the value of public service but in its ability to move us forward as a country,” she remarked. “Vice President Harris has shown us time and again that power, and we in the great state of Maryland will continue to honor our rich legacy of service with a commitment to our future and to our young people.”
Secretary Paul Monteiro of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation further emphasized the program’s goals: “The Department of Service and Civic Innovation is building leaders through service, experience, and civic engagement,” he explained. “The Vice President’s call to action for our young people builds on this momentum as we continue to build a state that serves.”
Echoing this sentiment, AmeriCorps Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith delivered a powerful message to young people: “Be the change your community needs. Civic engagement through service starts with you.” He added, “Throughout our country’s history, service to others has been the common thread that encourages unity, inclusion, and positive impact in communities across America.”
The Maryland Service Year Option’s 2024-2025 cohort is a testament to the program’s reach and appeal, representing all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. Participants are serving with over 150 host site partners, including non-profit organizations, businesses, and more than 20 government agencies. This widespread participation underscores the program’s comprehensive impact across the state.
For those seeking more information about the Maryland Corps and the Service Year Option, further details are available at serve.maryland.gov. Vice President Harris’s visit served as a powerful endorsement of Maryland’s commitment to service and a call to action for young Americans to engage in civic life and contribute to their communities.
