In a video message released today, President Obama unveiled a new initiative to engage Americans across the country in meaningful national and community service. The United We Serve summer initiative is an extended call to service beginning on June 22nd, and lasting through the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th. In his remarks, the President focused on the importance of working together as a nation to bring new and effective solutions to bear on the serious social problems we face.

The challenges we face are unprecedented in their size and scope, and we cannot rely on quick fixes or easy answers to put us on the road to recovery

In this new century, we need to a build a new foundation for economic growth in America. My Administration has already begun this work with dramatic new investments in education, health care and clean energy – investments that will create new jobs and lay the foundation for lasting prosperity. But we cannot do this alone here in Washington…

Economic recovery is as much about what you’re doing in your communities as what we’re doing in Washington – and it’s going to take all of us, working together.

Read the White House press release here.

Watch the President’s call to service, and learn more about this exciting initiative, here.