Governor Lamont Announces 2026-2027 Serve Connecticut Community Impact Award Open to High School Students

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Office of Higher Education Commissioner Timothy D. Larson today announced the opening of the 2026-2027 Serve Connecticut Community Impact Award. Now in its second year, the award recognizes Connecticut high school-aged youth for their volunteer service.

Students who complete at least 20 hours of service across four distinct projects between June 1, 2026, and April 15, 2027, will be recognized in May 2027. To participate, students must register on Serve Connecticut's InnerView Youth Service platform, which tracks service hours and compiles a digital service résumé that students can use to share their service and volunteer experience in college, scholarship, and job application processes.

"I am so proud to share that during the 2025-2026 school year, 156 Connecticut youth representing 67 high schools across the state earned a Serve Connecticut Community Impact Award," Governor Lamont said. "These students logged more than 15,000 service hours toward nearly 3,400 unique service opportunities. What a testament this is to the impact our young residents have on their local communities. I hope these young leaders and others will continue to serve and to share their service activities on Serve Connecticut's InnerView platform so that we can celebrate all their contributions next spring."

"Community service gives young people the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while developing valuable leadership and teamwork skills," Commissioner Larson, who also serves on the Serve Connecticut Commission, said. "Through this initiative, we hope to inspire more students to give back to their communities and develop a lifelong commitment to service."

Serve Connecticut's InnerView Youth Service platform also creates a digital service résumé that students can use for college, scholarship, and job applications. Schools and club leaders can use the platform free of charge to recognize volunteers and organize group projects, while nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities.

Information about how to register is available on Serve Connecticut's website at servect.org/youth-service-get-involved. In addition to registration information, the website provides a link to a shareable Serve Connecticut 2026-2027 Serve Connecticut Community Impact Award Guide.

Questions may be directed to Kate Scheuritzel, Serve Connecticut Director of Programs, at [email protected].

Serve Connecticut, a program of the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, administers AmeriCorps grants on behalf of the state and promotes service and volunteerism.