The Massachusetts Senate this week voted for legislation that would establish a new community service force in Massachusetts to address unmet needs in our communities. Called the "Commonwealth Corps," the program would recruit from a wide-ranging talent pool of college students, professionals and retirees to volunteer on a full-time and part-time basis. 

Commonwealth Corps would contract with the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) for the operation of its programs. The MSA serves as the Commonwealth’s umbrella organization for community service and volunteerism. 

Governor Deval Patrick announced the Commonwealth Corps initiative in January. The program would seek to enroll 1,000 volunteers to provide services for the elderly, the homeless, after-school programs, municipal projects and many other social and community needs. 

Another component of the community service initiative would be to create pilot programs at five college campuses for the creation of the Commonwealth Student Corps that would integrate community-service learning into school curriculums to encourage volunteerism. 

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives.