REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SUMEET MALHI, Director
Personnel Services Department
BY: SUSAN CHUDY, Program Administrator
Personnel Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Program Grant
1. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the acceptance of grant funding from California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Program in the amount of $3,186,147, for the OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program and authorizing the City Manager or designee to sign all necessary implementing documents (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 57th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2024-122 appropriating $923,200 for the OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Resolution authorizing the acceptance of grant funds from the California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Program grant for the OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program (Program) and adopt the 57th amendment to the AAR No.2024-122 appropriating $923,200 to the program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program was notified on March 13, 2025, of an award of $3,186,147 in additional grant funding to supplement the $3.014 million award received in April 2024.
BACKGROUND
The #CaliforniansForAll Youth Service Corps is a Governor’s initiative administered by California Volunteers in partnership with cities across California. The City of Fresno (City) has operated the Youth Jobs Corps Program since the Spring of 2022.
This program recruits, trains, mentors, and hires residents (Participants/Ambassadors) for jobs in order to prepare them for future career opportunities. The program’s goals included identifying the highest need youth for employment opportunities, providing training and wrap-around services and positioning them on a career pathway for future City or outside organization employment.
This program has reached and exceeded the goals stated in the original application. 101 Participants were to be hired according to the application; as of April 2, 2025, 504 Participants have been involved in the Program. 93% of Participants met two or more of the criteria determined by California Volunteers: 75% have had difficulty finding employment, 64% identify as low income, 57% were unemployed or out of school, 24% have experienced mental health issues and/or substance abuse, 19% are justice system impacted, and 8% are in the foster care system. Our Participants have worked a total of 376,857 hours for the City as of March 23, 2025.
On March 13, 2025, California Volunteers notified the City of Fresno with an intent to award $3,186,147.00 as the City’s allocation for the Youth Service Corps program for fiscal year 2024-2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item is not a “project.”
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered based upon conditions of State funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Youth Jobs Corps Program is fully funded through grant awards from the California Volunteers through the State of California Governor’s Office. Funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis.
Attachment: Resolution
AAR
Grant agreement