San José Public Library’s Resilience Corps Program
San José Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
San José Public Library’s Resilience Corps Program is a workforce development program for young adults ages 18-30 with an interest in a career in the field of education, facilitated through a partnership with the San José Public Library Foundation and currently funded through the California Volunteers State Office for the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Service Corps. Resilience Corps Associates (RCAs) in the “Learning Pathway” are employed by the Library Foundation as the employer of record and placed in capacity-building roles with qualified expanded learning program providers, including the Library, that offer out-of-school enrichment and tutoring support to high-need K-8 students in San José. RCAs gain hands-on experience in the educational field and develop transferable skills to support them on pathways to/after college and career. The program creates opportunities for young adults, addresses learning needs of youth, and builds community resilience.
Challenge/Opportunity
The “Learning Pathway” program is designed to address economic and workforce development needs of young adults facing two or more barriers to employment. Participants may be low-income, first-generation college students, unemployed and/or out of school, have difficulty finding employment, transitioning from foster care, are or were justice-involved, are or were engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system, and/or live in low-resource census tracts. Through their placements, RCAs support the City of San José’s goals to support learning recovery for grades K-8 in high-need neighborhoods. RCAs earn a living wage and receive valuable career development training throughout their work experience, as well as wrap-around services designed to support program participants in attaining permanent employment post-program.
Key Elements of Innovation
The Resilience Corps Learning Pathway partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District, Think Together of Alum Rock, and the City of San José’s Library and Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services departments.
RCAs gain work experience while adding to the capacity of expanded learning programs to address community needs. In partnership with Apple and Envision Your Pathway, RCAs receive professional development to build skills in digital literacy, public program development and facilitation, and classroom management.
The initiative innovates the library field by combining workforce development with educational support in a cohesive programmatic approach. By embedding RCAs within diverse community settings, including libraries and other learning environments, the program enhances workforce readiness and strengthens community resilience.
Achieved Outcomes
To date, the program has served 246 young adult program participants.
- 92% identify as BIPOC
- 76% are first-generation college students
- 88% have completed the program
- 106k+ hours serving students
RCAs reported that the program has:
- Helped develop transferable skills
- Provided hands-on experience working with students
- Enabled them to build meaningful relationships within the community
- Improved their financial literacy and security
- Allowed them to save for higher-ed
Through the program, the San José Public Library has:
- Deepened relationships with local expanded learning providers
- Helped reduce or eliminate waitlists for families requiring out-of-school time care
- Provided high-need students 1:1 or small group tutoring, academic support, recreation, and enrichment.
- Introduced >200 young adults to education-focused career opportunities
- Created new programs that fill gaps within the library, including bilingual and digital equity/coding programs
