SUNY Chancellor King Highlights Inaugural Empire State Service Corps Disaster Relief Training

October 8, 2026

Statewide American Red Cross Trainings Prepare 568 Service Corps Members to Be Called on in Event of a Disaster

FY26-27 Enacted State Budget Doubled SUNY Service Corps to 1,000 Spots and New Service Areas

Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted the inaugural Empire State Service Corps Disaster Relief Training Program, administered by the American Red Cross, which has trained 568 members of the Empire State Service Corps. The Empire State Service Corps was expanded through last year's Enacted State Budget to include 1,000 spots across 58 SUNY campuses, as well as new service impact areas such as disaster recovery. 

The American Red Cross training ensures Corps members are ready to be mobilized around the state in the event of a disaster or crisis, regardless of their regular service area. Additionally, after completing training, members will engage in service hours assisting the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Dispatch Hotline: a state-wide support line that connects crisis-impacted New Yorkers with immediate relief and response resources.

"SUNY's Empire State Service Corps provides paid experiential learning opportunities that allow students to serve communities across New York State when they need it the most," said SUNY Chancellor King. "In collaboration with the American Red Cross, SUNY is equipping Service Corps members in the Disaster Relief Team with the skills they need to be at the forefront of vital efforts. Thank you to Governor Hochul and state leaders for providing meaningful ways for students to get involved and address some of New York State's most pressing needs."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "With continued leadership from Governor Hochul and partnerships with organizations like the American Red Cross, SUNY is providing a well-rounded excellent education and opportunities for students to give back to their communities. The Disaster Relief Team is a crucial program that nurtures students' interest in civic service, provides support in times of crisis, and allows students to make a difference across New York State."

American Red Cross, Northeastern New York Chapter, Disaster Program Manager Madeline Clark said, "It's awesome to see the value of volunteering resonates with these students. We are on a mission to empower young people by showing them that they can make a difference in their communities during disasters. We are so excited to work with the Empire State Service Corps to make this a reality."

New York State Commission on National and Community Service Executive Director Beth Tailleur said, "Disaster services is a core funding and focus area of AmeriCorps. On behalf of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service, we are delighted by this partnership between the American Red Cross and SUNY, which will help individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of natural and other disasters. We’re grateful for Governor’s Hochul's leadership and SUNY’s support for the Empire State Service Corps as it continues to develop and increase its impact."

Students participating in the Empire State Service Corps dedicate at least 300 hours each year to engage in paid community service and convene regularly to share and learn from each other's experiences. As New York State's largest AmeriCorps program, participating students who complete 300 service hours also receive an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of up to $1,400 for their service.

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said, "When a disaster, such a storm or a flood hits, help often comes first from people who live nearby. SUNY campuses reach nearly every part of New York, and now trained students on those campuses are ready to step in. This kind of service teaches what a textbook cannot: how to stay calm, how to listen, and how to keep people safe. I thank Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and the American Red Cross, and I thank the students who signed up to be there for their neighbors."

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "Expanding this program means strengthening New York's emergency preparedness and giving our communities the tools they need to stay safe. I'm proud to support the continued partnership between the Empire State Service Corps and the American Red Cross as we build a stronger disaster‑response network and create new opportunities for SUNY students to serve."

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "When disaster strikes, New York State has a new tool at its disposal—the Empire State Service Corps. I want to commend these 568 students who stepped up to serve their communities and who will now be a comfort and helping hand to our neighbors in future emergencies or disasters. These students embody our state's motto, 'Excelsior' or Ever Upward, and I thank Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their partnership on growing and expanding the ESSC."

State Senator Peter Oberacker said, "New Yorkers have always answered the call when their neighbors need help and these SUNY students are carrying that proud tradition forward. By stepping up to receive disaster relief training, these young men and women are gaining valuable skills while preparing to serve communities across our state when emergencies strike. I commend the 568 Empire State Service Corps members who have taken on this responsibility, along with SUNY and the American Red Cross for giving students a meaningful opportunity to serve. In a crisis, preparation matters and having trained, capable volunteers ready to lend a hand can make all the difference."

State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, said, "I want to thank SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees for advocating for the Empire State Service Corps Disaster Relief Training Program. As natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, we need more ESSC Corps members now than ever. That is why I am pleased that the fiscal 2026 to 2027 Enacted State Budget will have 1,000 spots and include more service areas. I am also thankful for the American Red Cross for its trainings preparing 568 ESSC members for disaster relief."

State Assemblymember Michael Cashman said, "I continue to be impressed by the work the Empire State Service Corps students complete throughout their service. This new training initiative will serve our communities across the state well, and I hope to see similar educational paths open following this model. New Yorkers are strong and resilient, and this program will further build on our long history of helping one another in our times of need."

State Assemblymember Bill Conrad said, "This is an ingenious partnership, leveraging our font of talent on SUNY campuses and the vast knowledge of the American Red Cross to equip a disaster relief program. It's an excellent resource in the event of a crisis, and it's generating an interest in civic engagement and service. A win-win."

State Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, "New York State's investment in the SUNY Empire State Service Corps has produced an impressive inaugural class of highly trained members ready to answer the call when disaster strikes anywhere in our state. Expansion of this program, thanks to increased funding through the FY 2026-27 budget, will create even more opportunities for students across the SUNY system, including at SUNY Erie Community College here in Amherst. I am proud of New York's innovative investments in higher education and applaud Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and the entire SUNY system for the program's early success."

State Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said, "When disaster strikes, communities need trained people who are ready to step up and help. Preparing 568 Empire State Service Corps members for disaster response builds that readiness while giving students an opportunity to serve their communities in a meaningful way. I'm pleased to support this investment in public service and thank SUNY and the American Red Cross for giving students the training and experience to make a difference when New Yorkers need help most."

American Red Cross, Southern Tier Chapter, Executive Director Zachariah Riley said, "The Empire State Service Corps members have significantly expanded our capacity to serve the community by supporting programs that otherwise would have limited staff and volunteer resources. Ryan has assisted with Community Asset Mapping, which is essential to knowing what communities already have in place to respond to disasters. From there we will continue to work on building resilience and preparedness in the communities of need. His contributions have and will continue to increase our visibility in the communities we serve, strengthen relationships with local partners, and improve our ability to connect residents with Red Cross services and opportunities. Ryan brings energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives. Overall, the Empire State Service Corps has enhanced our organizational capacity, increased community impact, and helped us better fulfill our mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering in the communities we serve."

State University of New York at Binghamton Student, Empire State Service Corps Healthy Futures Cohort, and Disaster Relief Team Member working with American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter Ryan Kinane said, "When I first began at the American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter, I didn't realize the vast range of services the organization provided. Having been working here for just under a month and seeing all the great work everyone here is doing, it has emphasized the importance of how volunteers assist organizations and nonprofits. Through my disaster relief training and preparation, I feel better equipped to assist in disaster prevention and community mobilization. A lot goes into ensuring the Red Cross is able to provide adequate services to the community in the event of disaster, and seeing the systems currently in place, I am confident we will be able to provide those services. I look forward to continuing to make a difference at the American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter!" 

SUNY Canton Student, Empire State Service Corps Healthy Futures Cohort, and Disaster Relief Team Member Keith Keggins said, "Overall, this training has taught me what to do in the face of a disaster, so not only can I help others but also myself. There have been times where a disaster was happening, and I got calls from friends and family on what they should do because they knew I had this training. Without the preparation from the Red Cross, I would not have known what to do myself, or what to tell people when a disaster happens."

Governor Hochul has championed the Empire State Service Corps since 2024 and funded the program with $2.75 million in the FY25 Enacted State Budget. The Empire State Service Corps is also supported by a federal AmeriCorps grant which is administered by SUNY's partners at the New York State Commission for National and Community Service. In 2025, applications far exceeded the number of available spots for the second year in a row, with applications outpacing the number of campus spots 4:1.

New Empire State Service Corps campuses this year include:

  • SUNY Adirondack
  • SUNY Broome Community College
  • Columbia-Greene Community College
  • SUNY Erie Community College
  • Genesee Community College
  • Herkimer County Community College
  • Jefferson Community College
  • SUNY Maritime College
  • Mohawk Valley Community College
  • SUNY College of Optometry
  • SUNY Orange
  • SUNY Polytechnic Institute
  • Suffolk County Community College

Service areas Empire State Service Corps members traditionally work in include:

  • Civil Discourse and Civic Engagement: Students will serve either on or off campus with organizations such as local nonprofits related to civic engagement and civil discourse, including nonpartisan voter outreach and voter registration.
  • Education: 
    • K-12 Tutoring: Students will partner with local school districts for regular tutoring sessions with students in the community who need more academic support.
    • Early Childhood Education: Students will serve at a host site dedicated to early childhood education and/or development (for example, daycare or Head Start centers).
    • Student Success Coaching: Students will work with elementary, middle, and high school students to support academic achievement and combat common challenges external to academics like addressing chronic absenteeism, access to socio-emotional learning, mentoring, and mental health support.
  • Economic Opportunity:
    • FAFSA Completion: Students will serve local communities, in visits to local high schools and through work on campus, to support students in completing the FAFSA or other financial aid forms.
  • Healthy Futures: 
    • Food Insecurity/SNAP & Basic Needs: Students will serve on or off campus supporting students and others with SNAP outreach as well as basic needs support (which could include shifts at a campus food pantry) or with other food insecurity-aligned work.
    • Independent Living: Students will promote independence and quality of life for aging populations and individuals with alternative abilities.
    • Justice-Impacted Support: Students will support reentry and stability by connecting justice-impacted individuals to resources, opportunities, and community networks.
    • Mental Health & Substance Abuse Support: Students will be trained to serve as a mental health educator, supporting peers or community members either on- or off-campus with building strong mental health practices and overall wellness initiatives. Students will promote well-being by expanding access to mental health resources, prevention efforts, and supportive services.
  • Environmental Stewardship:
    • Sustainability: Students will serve in campus roles and with local nonprofits and State agencies on sustainability work, such as recycling campaigns, tree planting, pollinator gardens, and sustainability outreach.
    • Climate Action: Students will advance long-term climate initiatives through research, education, and resilience-building that supports healthier communities (e.g. supporting local municipalities, climate-focused campus initiatives, climate outreach campaigns, etc.).
  • Veterans Affairs & Military Families Outreach: Students will serve at host sites dedicated to supporting active military or veterans' affairs for individuals, families, or affiliated groups through outreach, resource connection, and responsive services. 
  • There are two optional teams for Empire State Service Corps members to participate in:
    • Disaster Relief Team 
      • The Empire State Service Corps Member Disaster Relief Team Program is focused on connecting any interested SUNY corps members from around NYS to various disaster relief organizations, and to ensure they receive thorough citizen preparedness trainings. Members who have successfully attended the preparation training will have the option, should a state or national disaster arise, to respond to and perform necessary disaster relief work. All interested corps members have the option to participate in the program.
    • Ambassadors Team
      • The Empire State Service Corps Member Ambassador Team Program is focused on connecting returning SUNY corps members from around NYS to share ideas, generate thoughtful dialogue, and expand their leadership on campus. Campuses have the opportunity to nominate one student representative to serve as their campus Ambassador.

The Empire State Service Corps is part of SUNY's ongoing efforts to support New Yorkers in need by encouraging civic engagement and volunteerism. In September, Chancellor King highlighted the expansion of the Empire State Service Corps and the State University of New York at Binghamton's Service Corps members hosted a service project to prepare hygiene kits. In August, SUNY announced a partnership with the Educating Character Initiative to provide additional professional development and training to Empire State Service Corps members. In March, Empire State Service Corps members hosted a day of service and prepared meal kits at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. In January, members of the Empire State Service Corps assembled literacy kits as part of a day of service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In November 2025, Service Corps members were mobilized to support their communities during Governor Hochul's Day of Hunger Action, and they provided additional assistance during the food insecurity crisis.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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