Office of Service and Civic Engagement to be Housed within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor
OSCE to be Directed by the Chief Service Officer
Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled the creation of the Office of Service and Civic Engagement within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to preside over the State’s strategy on uplifting communities statewide through accessible public service opportunities. OSCE will be directed by a newly appointed Chief Service Officer, overseen by Lieutenant Governor Delgado, and will be charged with promoting civic and service opportunities across New York.
"Public service is a calling, and it's up to us to inspire communities across New York to answer the call," Governor Hochul said. "With Lieutenant Governor Delgado overseeing our new Office of Service and Civic Engagement, we will train and identify the next generation of local leaders and public servants who can help their communities grow and thrive."
This initiative builds on Governor Hochul’s work to address societal isolation and other social issues that can negatively impact New Yorkers. In November, Governor Hochul appointed Dr. Ruth Westheimer as the nation’s first Ambassador to Loneliness to advise New Yorkers on steps to help address the growing loneliness epidemic.
“Elevating the important work of service will bring New Yorkers together around the greater good, and anchor us in our shared capacity to love and have compassion for one another,” said Lieutenant Governor Delgado.“I am honored to lead this effort, and I'm inspired by what I know New Yorkers can and will do in the name of service to each other.”
Over the next year, the Office of Service and Civic Engagement will leverage existing partnerships and resources, including the State’s Commission on National and Community Service, to build out a holistic action plan to connect more New Yorkers, particularly our youth, to service opportunities.
To launch the Lieutenant Governor’s service initiative, New York will found an inaugural class of the Empire State Service Corps Program in partnership with the State University of New York. Modeled after the California College Corps, the Empire State Service Program will provide paid work opportunities to college students as a way of serving their community.
Participating college students will commit to perform necessary community service work for 300 hours a year, such as tutoring in high-need K-12 schools, distributing meals to those facing food insecurity, and taking climate action.
In line with this initiative, the City University of New York will seek to enhance its paid internships with non-profits in the New York City area to students seeking to gain invaluable workplace experience while in service with their communities.