MONTEREY COUNTY — United Way Monterey County’s Preschool Service Corps has begun its 2026-27 school year with its largest cohort to date, placing AmeriCorps members in preschool classrooms in King City, Greenfield, Salinas and Castroville.
The 21 members were sworn in Sept. 15 at the Community Impact Center in Salinas, taking the AmeriCorps pledge and receiving certificates recognizing completion of their initial training. Members began serving in preschool classrooms that same week.
Through play-based, child-directed activities, members provide language and literacy tutoring to young children, working with individual children and small groups to strengthen early literacy skills and help prepare them for kindergarten.
The program is designed to provide individualized support to young children while giving AmeriCorps members hands-on experience working with young learners, professional training, mentorship and skills they can carry into future careers.
“This program makes a meaningful difference in the lives of young children and strengthens our community by reinforcing the values of education and service,” said Katy Castagna, president and CEO of United Way Monterey County. “The people who serve in AmeriCorps show me that that future is bright.”
The Preschool Service Corps also serves preschool classrooms in other Monterey County communities, including Gonzales, Monterey and Seaside, with additional cohorts planned during the 2026-27 school year.
A second cohort is expected to begin training in mid-October, and United Way Monterey County is continuing to recruit additional AmeriCorps members for a potential third cohort.
The program is open to people interested in gaining hands-on experience, developing professional skills and serving young children in their communities. For more information, visit unitedwaymcca.org/americorps-psc.
