Reimagining national service

As America deals with the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded national service presents an opportunity to assist communities in responding to and recovering from the national health crisis, while addressing critical skills gaps in our economy and providing young Americans with pathways to careers and into the middle class. The $1 billion for national service in the American Rescue Plan Act is a significant step in the right direction. As the administration sets its sights on rebuilding our economy, President Biden has the opportunity to become the “Service President,” by harnessing national service to support our country’s unmet needs. 

Join the Future of the Middle Class Initiative at the Brookings Institution and Service Year Alliance on May 4 to hear from policymakers and experts on how national service is currently helping the country “build back better” and how we might reimagine national service in America to meet our nation’s top priorities — including COVID response and recovery, workforce development, climate change and infrastructure, racial justice, and healing a divided nation. The event also marked the release of a new report by Service Year Alliance, “Reimagining National Service: A Roadmap to a Service Presidency,” which offers a comprehensive guide to the Biden administration on the steps they could take to make national service an expectation and opportunity for all young people in America.

Viewers submitted questions by emailing events@brookings.edu or via Twitter at #NationalService.