Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service Launches Mayor’s Volunteer Corps

PHILADELPHIA – The Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service announced a new initiative to recruit and engage more Philadelphians who are committed to building change through volunteer service. The Mayor’s Volunteer Corps will connect Philadelphia volunteers with high-quality, impactful service opportunities that reflect Mayor Kenney’s priorities and address areas of critical need in the city, including education, employment, and food and housing security.

“When our citizens are encouraged to serve others, our city, country, and world become a better place,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The Mayor’s Volunteer Corps is an opportunity for residents to deepen their commitment to serving their communities in a meaningful way. Our city has a long-standing commitment to service, and we are fortunate to have so many residents perform acts of service every single day. My hope is that this initiative will help to inspire more residents to get involved and make a difference in their city.”

The Mayor’s Volunteer Corps is open to all Philadelphia residents who are committed to serving their communities. Interested volunteers can learn more and sign up on the serve.phila.gov/mvc website.

“Neighbors working together to achieve common goals is the currency of change for any progressive society,” said Stephanie Reid, the City’s Chief Service Officer. “We are so excited to pilot a cohort of civically engaged Philadelphians who will lead this charge.”

Members of the Mayor’s Volunteer Corps will be the first to learn about exclusive volunteer opportunities with Serve Philadelphia and will engage in ongoing service with nonprofits selected for their alignment with critical impact areas. Service opportunities may include supporting Philadelphians experiencing food insecurity, reading with students after-school, registering neighbors to vote, cleaning-up shared spaces around the city, and special events like Philly Free Streets or Wawa Welcome America. Members who complete 100 hours of service or more each year will be honored and celebrated at the annual Mayor’s Day of Service Recognition.

The Mayor’s Volunteer Corps will launch its pilot cohort this October. Volunteers can sign up now at serve.phila.gov/mvc.