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Since 1990, Youth Service California (YSCal) has been a pioneer in the area of youth service and service-learning, playing a pivotal role in shaping the youth service landscape in California. The organization continues to advocate for the youth service field, develop leadership, disseminate information, and unify diverse groups to take action on youth service and service-learning in California.
In commemoration of 19 years of making service a meaningful part of every young person’s life, we are pleased to share some of our greatest historical achievements.
1990
YSCal was founded as a statewide collaboration of public and private organizations to promote and expand youth service on the state and national levels and to provide technical assistance to emerging programs.
1993
The first statewide youth service conference is held. YSCal partners with the Volunteer Centers of California to host the event with more than 500 practitioners and advocates in attendance.
In order to promote service-learning throughout the state, YSCal launches “regional networks” in conjunction with the California Department of Education’s CalServe program. YSCal serves as the training and technical assistance provider.
1994
Youth CAN, a statewide network of youth leaders engaged in service, is initiated by YSCal in partnership with the California Department of Education.
1995
YSCal becomes an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
YSCal publishes Voices from the Field: First Year Implementation of AmeriCorps in California 1994-1995. Subsequent publications follow, including Charting the Course for Service-Learning:
Recommendations from the Field in 1997. YSCal continues to develop professional development materials and strategies that are used by educators throughout California and across the country.
1996
Youth Service California Affiliates Briefing, the state's first central source of information about policy developments, resources, and grants in the youth service field is created. The Briefing currently reaches more than 500 practitioners each month.
1997
To enhance statewide efforts to educate, promote, link and strengthen collaborations and partnerships between service and volunteerism activities across the state, the California Service Alliance is created. YSCal is a founding member.
1998
An annual retreat that explores the spiritual, religious and cultural roots of
service is launched in partnership with the Service-Learning 2000 Center, YSCal, and the Shinnyo-En Foundation. Over the next seven years more than 400 practitioners would attend.
1999
YSCal begins hosting Annual Statewide Forums, gatherings of service practitioners to examine significant issues facing the youth service field.
YSCal collaborates with the California State University, California Campus Compact, and the California Community Colleges to ensure that the Governor's community service mandate includes funding and support for service-learning.
2000
Linking new service-learning practitioners with resources, the peer-based technical assistance and training program – The National Service-Learning Exchange – selects YSCal as one of five regional centers.
An initiative to help after-school programs incorporate service-learning activities is launched, with YSCal partnering with the California Service Corps.
Service-learning is made a critical component of California’s new holiday honoring Cesar Chavez due to YSCal advocacy efforts.
2001
In order to create more capacity and expertise in service-learning, teacher
education, youth development, leadership, and community service, YSCal merges with the Service-Learning 2000 Center.
2003
An initiative that actively engages suspended and expelled youth in meaningful community service is started. YSCal becomes the technical assistance provider and works in partnership with the California Department of Education and UC Berkeley’s Service-Learning and Research Center.
2005
The16th annual National Service-Learning Conference, with more than 2,900 students, teachers, administrators, and community partners in attendance in Long Beach, is co-hosted by YSCal and the National Youth Leadership Council. YSCal similarly co-hosted this national conference in San Jose in 1999.
2006
Responding to a need in the field, YSCal publishes Service-Learning in Afterschool Programs: Resources for Afterschool Educators. Based on six years of sponsoring afterschool service-learning programs, and funded by Learn & Serve America, the book quickly becomes our best-selling publication.
2007
In collaboration with CaliforniaVolunteers and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, YSCal operates 77 afterschool service clubs in Title I middle schools. The clubs are in honor of the life, work and values of Cesar E. Chavez, and are funded by the state.
2008
YSCal launches its Advisory Council, made up of an initial fifty members from the youth development, service-learning, faith-based service, community-based service, national and state service sectors, as well as funders and friends. Council will help YSCal implement its mission, “Making service a meaningful part of every young person’s life,” in the most effective ways possible. | 
