Benefits of becoming a Corpsmember at MHYCServing as a Corpsmember at Mile High Youth Corps has many benefits, including:
- Earning money. All Corpsmember positions are paid.
- Making a positive impact on the community. As a Corpsmember, you will complete projects that conserve water and energy, protect our public lands and help provide affordable green housing for low-income families.
- Gaining new skills and training to jump start your career. All Corpsmembers obtain working skills and Job Readiness Training and receive assistance in finding their next step from MHYC staff. In 2009, 85% of Corpsmembers landed jobs shortly after leaving MHYC.
- Learning about the environment and civic engagement. Corpsmembers participate in environmental education, leadership, and civic engagement education every week.
- Furthering your education. All Corpsmembers receive an AmeriCorps Education Award at the end of successfully completing their terms. In 2009 alone, MHYC Corpsmembers earned $163,188 to be used for post-secondary education.
- Working with a team of like-minded people your age. All Corpsmembers work as part of a ‘crew,’ fostering a spirited team culture.
Top Ten Reasons Corpsmembers Love Working for MHYC:
Created by: Brendan Michaud and Nickey Hale-Chambers, 2010 MHYC Corpsmembers. Additional quotes from Corps Alumni.
10. Education
YouthBuild Corpsmembers really enjoy working in the GED classroom and even get to take a college-level class on Green Construction Practices at Red Rocks Community College where they learn about everything from saving water and energy to managing their finances better.
“MHYC teaches youth to be respectful, responsible and allows them to achieve their goals and grow for the future. I learned my capability to work on a team and have a good work ethic.”
- Orlando S., YouthBuild Corpsmember, 2008
9. MHYC Staff
The staff at Mile High Youth Corps really encourages Corpsmembers to use our voices, think outside of the box and practice leadership skills.
“I had a great experience at MHYC because there was a great staff- extremely nice and very hard working.”
- Jack H., Summer of Service Corpsmember, 2009
8. Second Chances
MHYC focuses on our potential for the future and not on the poor decisions some of us made in the past. It’s a second chance at making a better life for ourselves, our families and our communities.
“I got to see and do things I never thought I would in my life.”
- Curtis M., Energy and Water Conservation Corpsmember, 2009
7. Community Awareness
Corpsmembers learn a lot about our community by working hands-on with many different groups. We get to improve the community’s perception of young people. Recently, one of the water clients receiving a new toilet shared that the crew’s professionalism and competency “filled her with hope for the future.”
“Mile High has taught me the many things I could change in my behavior that could play a part in changing the world. It has also made me more willing to try new things and educate others on the environment.”
- Christine C., Summer of Service Corpsmember, 2008
6. Support
Being at the Corps is not just about a job. Staff members help us out in our personal lives with things like finding affordable housing, low-cost health insurance and day care. They make sure we’re prepared for our next step, whether that’s going to school, an apprenticeship or starting our careers.
“I think the quality of the program is more than enough to give young adults that little push and get them started on the path of success. It definitely helped me.”
- Chris P., YouthBuild Corpsmember, 2008
5. Scholarship Money
All Corpsmembers who complete their terms with MHYC receive an AmeriCorps Education Award that we can use toward higher education.
4. Diversity
The diversity of the crews at MHYC makes each day fun, interesting and allows us all to learn about ourselves. It’s amazing how many different backgrounds come together to rally around one common goal.
“Working at Mile High Youth Corps was wonderful; I learned so much and had a blast. It was great to work with all the people on my crew.”
- David H., Water Corpsmember, 2009
3. Client Interaction
The Energy and Water Conservation Corpsmembers get to interact with community members on a daily basis. Interacting with these clients has been incredible and eye-opening; we’ve gotten the chance to learn more about ourselves and the people who live in our communities.
2. Personal Growth
Working at Mile High Youth Corps really pushes you out of your comfort zone; you’re constantly encouraged to try new things. It’s such a safe environment for growth.
“Working at Mile High Youth Corps has motivated me to strive for whatever I want. I now feel very confident about being able to get a job done anywhere.”
- Nestor C., Water Corpsmember, 2009
1. Service
We love giving back to the community. In our positions as Corpsmembers at MHYC, we get to make a difference everyday. In 2009 alone, the Water and Energy Conservation Programs saved over one billion gallons of water and conserved over 800,000 kilowatt hours of energy. The YouthBuild Corpsmembers built 89 affordable housing units and our Land Conservation crews worked on over ten miles of hiking trails and removed over 470 acres of invasive species.
“My experience at Mile High Youth Corps was great because I got to make an impact on my community.”
- Angel D. Water Corpsmember, 2009
