Vice President Kamala Harris made her second visit in four months to Prince George’s Community College on Tuesday, this time focused on community service young people. Photo by William J. Ford.
The last time she was in Prince George’s County, in August, Vice President Kamala Harris (D) was surrounded by Maryland Democrats and accompanied by President Joe Biden, who had just stepped aside and cleared the way for Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
She returned Tuesday to headline an event focused on community service — this time without Biden, but still joined by some of Maryland’s top Democrats, all focused not on the recent past, and Harris’ loss to President-elect Donald Trump, but on the future of the young adults in attendance.
“I thank you for your service to the people of Maryland,” Harris said during a speech that lasted more than 15 minutes. “The work you do of service will affect people who, for the most part, will never know your names, but their lives because of your work and your dedication will forever be touched in a positive way.”
The vice president was addressing young adults in the Maryland Corps and Service Year Option program for those ages 18 to 21, who were gathered at the Prince George’s Community College Performing Arts Center. She was joined by Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks, the former Prince George’s County Executive who will be sworn in Jan. 3 to represent Maryland as the state’s first Black senator and fourth ever elected to that chamber.
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During her remarks, Harris urged the young people to “stay in the fight” against the incoming administration of Trump, a Republican who Harris never mentioned by name. She said those looming battles include democracy, civil rights, women’s rights and “an economy that works not just for those at the top, but for working people, for all Americans.”
“Get some rest over the holidays, spend time with people you love,” Harris said. “Then after you have had some rest, I challenge you to come back ready. Chin up, shoulders back. Ready to summon your drive, your energy, your passion to help our fellow Americans and be ready to get back to work.”
Maryland’s Service Year Option is the first such program in the U.S., allowing recent high school graduates to complete paid community service and vocational work at more than 100 business, agencies and organizations across the state.
Paul Monteiro Jr., the secretary of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, said Utah and New York have followed the state’s lead in creating similar programs.
“Your generation is in many ways the least tied and constrained by the past,” Monteiro said. “You have the most to gain to the future because you’re going to live in it. So hopefully today gives you a lot of food for thought.”
At least two young adults who are part of the Service Year program were mentioned by name – Lauren Meuer and Ylana James.
Before introducing Harris, Meuer, 18, who graduated high school this year in Montgomery County, summarized her work as a dispatcher who is helping to manage social media content for a HVAC company called Anthony and Son.
After she completes the program next year, she plans to attend Kent State University in Ohio to major in history.
Moore cited James, an office operations manager at the Maryland Umbrella Group, a nonprofit organization currently running at a church in Prince George’s County. James, 19, graduated high school last year in the county and then attended the University of Maryland.
But when James changed her major, she transferred to Prince George’s Community College. After she completes the service program, she plans to return to a four-year university.
“I’m keeping my options open,” she said after the more than one-hour event.
James had some advice, or an affirmation, for young adults.
“Realizing that I have a purpose. I was put on this Earth for a plan and a purpose,” she said. “I’m here for a reason. Yes, there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from doing what I aspire to do.”