The City of Frederick is excited to announce the participation of Frederick’s Department of Housing and Human Services as a host site for the inaugural class of Service Year Option and Maryland Corps members, a partnership with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation.

The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation in its first year is expanding service and volunteerism statewide, creating new pathways of service to meet community needs, enhance workforce development, and promote preparedness for both higher and vocational education. Roles at the host sites can range from academic tutoring, assisting in healthcare facilities, advancing public safety, to taking up environment conservation projects. 

The City of Frederick’s Department of Housing and Human Services administers a wide array of programs and services to families and individuals; all aimed at ameliorating the causes and effects of poverty. Through a wide array of programs and services, the Department of Housing and Human Services provides food, housing, medical care, and other forms of assistance to families and individuals that are low-income or experiencing homelessness.

“We’re beyond excited to roll out these programs,” said Paul Monteiro, Maryland’s Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation. “They’re not just about offering opportunities but linking service, education, and job readiness into a unified, powerful experience.”

Mayor Michael O’Connor underscores the transformative nature of service, highlighting its role in creating a better future for the City of Frederick.

“Service is the cornerstone of developing the future leaders who will shape the future of our City and the State of Maryland,” said Mayor Michael O’Connor. “It is through selfless commitment to the well-being of others that individuals cultivate the essential qualities of leadership, resilience, and a profound sense of responsibility. This partnership creates opportunities for participant to identify opportunities to improve their community.”

“Service lies at the heart of our mission to eliminate poverty and homelessness in the City of Frederick,” said Ramenta Cotrell, Director of Housing and Human Services in the City of Frederick. “Through compassionate and strategic efforts like participating in the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Programs, we have the opportunity to uplift Frederick’s residents, providing not just shelter but a pathway to self-sufficiency.” 

“The launch of the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Program represents a renewed commitment to cultivating opportunities and inspiring a spirit of service in Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore. “We’re not just launching programs; we’re connecting Marylanders to their communities and unlocking their potential in ways that will shape our collective future.”

About Maryland’s Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Programs:

The Service Year Option is a service opportunity for young adults who recently completed high school. Members earn at least $15 an hour and work at least 30 hours a week. Members gain both hard and soft skills through a service placement aligned with their area of interest, in addition to working with support coaches to develop and refine their post-service plans—whether they include college, career, or continued service. 

Maryland Corps is a service opportunity for people of all ages. Like the Service Year Option, members earn a minimum of $15 dollars an hour working in organizations that provide job training and professional development. Program partnerships with both Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges provide an additional level of collaboration and support for members, in addition to alignment with skilled trades and apprenticeship programs to facilitate transition into continued education or the workforce.

Following completion of their service year, participants in both programs will earn a completion award of $6,000 that may be accessed as a direct payment or as a deposit into a Maryland 529 Education Account for those pursuing their studies.