Help Us Grow the Next Generation of Community Leaders

At Joy Grows we are building a team of committed, driven, and passionate individuals. We believe that meaningful community change happens when people are given the opportunity to serve, learn, lead, and grow. This year, we are honored to welcome Kareem, Eli, and Joy to our team through Maryland’s Service Year Option Public Service Program. This program creates paid opportunities for Marylanders to dedicate their time and talents to nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and so much more, working to strengthen communities across the state. 

We are asking our community to help us complete the funding needed to support the remainder of their service-year stipends. 

OUR NEW ERA OF PUBLIC SERVICE 

On October 27, 2023, Governor Moore launched Maryland’s first-in-the-nation Public Service Year Program, creating new pathways for people to serve their communities while gaining valuable professional experience. Members selected for this program commit to a minimum nine-month, paid placement, working at least 30 hours per week. Upon completion, members are eligible for a $6,000 completion award.

Participants receive one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities that help build the skills, relationships, and confidence needed to become lifelong community leaders. This team fosters a sense of duty and commitment to our shared home while creating pathways to address the needs of communities throughout Maryland. 

To strengthen and continue this work, Governor Moore signed the Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act, also known as SERVE Act.

Just recently, on September 11, 2026, Governor Moore launched the program’s fourth cohort during the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. Nearly 600 members attended alongside more than 200 partners across Maryland.  

We are incredibly fortunate to have those three members from the Service Year Program serve with Joy Grows. 

MEET OUR SERVICE TEAM 

Each of our new members brings a set of different skills, experiences and passions to our work.

Eli is helping us build our greenhouse while developing the data-tracking (impact systems) that will allow Joy Grows to measure and communicate the impact of our work. 

Eli mentoring at building club Fall ’25.

Joy is building our youth programs and coordinating volunteer engagement. 

Kareem serves as our farm manager. He welcomes people onto the site, helps visitors feel at home, maintains our garden beds, and brings an unmistakable can-do attitude to everything he does. 

Kareem with his Farm planning board Summer ’26.

These individuals are expanding their own professional learning while also strengthening the success of Joy Grows. 

HELP US FINISH THE JOURNEY 

Public investment makes this service possible, but we need our community to help us sustain it. 

We are raising funds to cover the remaining stipends for our three Service Year members. 

Your contributions do not simply support a position; it supports a person who has chosen to spend their time serving the community in an honorable way. It gives each of our new members the opportunity to help, build, and invest in our young people, in our mission, and in their future. 

Your support can help ensure these three emerging leaders continue showing up, learning, serving, and making a difference. 

Support our Service Year team today and help us grow together and stronger.