History & Overview
Mission:
The mission of Mile High Youth Corps is to help youth make a difference in themselves and their community through meaningful service opportunities and educational experiences.
History:
Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) was founded as Year One, Inc. by Boulder County Commissioner Josie Heath in 1992. Rooted in the tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, Year One addressed the employment and educational needs of youth by putting them to work on projects that benefited the community. Primarily focused on conservation and neighborhood improvement, Year One gave youth the chance to earn, learn and serve in their community. In 2000, Year One changed its name to Mile High Youth Corps to better reflect its mission and goals. In 2009, the Corps merged with Colorado Legends and Legacies Youth Corps, creating an MHYC field office in Colorado Springs. During its 18-year history, the Corps has successfully transitioned from a small, seasonal, neighborhood-based organization to a comprehensive, year-round regional agency, serving 15 counties throughout Metropolitan Denver and the Southern Front Range. By integrating paid work experience on community projects with career exploration, education and life-skills training, the Corps helps youth participants, called Corpsmembers, succeed in the classroom, the workforce and everyday life. Through hands-on service, young adults gain the knowledge, skills and motivation they need to make positive changes in their community, their own lives and the world.
Green Jobs at Mile High Youth Corps:
The young adults at Mile High Youth Corps plant trees and build parks, construct green buildings, install energy-efficiency measures and high-efficiency toilets in low-income homes and much more. To learn more, review a report featuring Mile High Youth Corps, Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class.
The Corps engages youth in entry-level green jobs and training with certifications in the following areas:
- Energy Conservation & Water Conservation
- Public Land Conservation & Restoration - Colorado Springs
