Patrick Announces Commonwealth Corps

Governor Deval Patrick today announced the creation of Commonwealth Corps, an organization dedicated to encouraging residents and improving communities across Massachusetts through community service and volunteerism. Enabling legislation will be filed shortly, and will build on the hard work that Senator Marc Pacheco and others have already done.

 The Commonwealth Corps will include 250 individuals in its first year, with a goal of expanding to 1,000 members over the next five years. Members will dedicate at least one year of service to a nonprofit organization, civic initiative, or public entity, providing direct service to people or communities in need.

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The bill will also propose to create a pilot Commonwealth Student Corps, a program developed to expand opportunities for students interested in service learning opportunities.