$32,170 raised by 61 donors
54% complete
$60,000 Goal
Mile High Youth Corps is a nonprofit social enterprise powered by a network of young adults ages 17-24 who are justice-focused, committed to creating sustainable communities, and pursuing a meaningful path to career success. As a leader in positive youth development, workforce development, and community-based service, our Youth Corps completes conservation, construction, and healthcare projects across 24 Colorado counties. For over 30 years, our work is making a difference for communities today and building a stronger workforce for tomorrow.
MHYC is grounded in equity and our staff and Corpsmembers are empowered to guide our decision-making, our culture, and our relationships with one another and our communities.
To date, MHYC has served over 5,350 Corpsmembers, provided over $5.5 million in AmeriCorps education awards, and delivered 2.2 million hours of hands-on-training and service learning. Corpsmembers have constructed or improved over 530 miles of trails and rivers, helped build over 1,460 affordable housing units, and retrofitted 43,600 low-income homes for energy and water savings. MHYC alumni from years past are forest rangers, wildland firefighters, electricians, certified nurse assistants, community non-profit leaders and advocates of the environment.
Corpsmember Achievements in 2024 Included:
Community and Environmental Impact in 2024 Included:
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Darrick Byes came to Mile High Youth Corps in 2023 after being disengaged from high school and experiencing involvement with the criminal justice system. When he discovered the YouthBuild Program, Darrick saw it as a chance to improve his circumstances. YouthBuild provided Darrick with the structure he was looking for and a network of people willing to invest in his own ideas of success. This in turn allowed him to show up authentically as himself, providing the opportunity to seriously consider his future and the life he would like to work towards. Darrick felt a deep sense of belonging while in the YouthBuild program, stemming from positive interactions with his peers, teachers, and job-site supervisors. Darrick experienced a tremendous amount of success throughout his YouthBuild term with MHYC - He graduate from the program with his GED, received glowing praise from MHYC service site partners, and earned multiple construction related industry-recognized certifications including OSHA-10, CPR, PACT Core, PACT Green, and PACT Carpentry. In addition, Darrick worked tirelessly to complete his AmeriCorps hours, earning an education award to support further learning. Due to his own tenacity, and with the support of MHYC, Darrick is now prepared to pursue the next steps towards achieving his educational and career goals.
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.
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 30+ year history, the Corps has successfully transitioned from a small, seasonal, neighborhood-based organization to a comprehensive, year-round regional agency, serving 24 counties throughout metro Denver and the Southern Front Range of Colorado. 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.
Organization name
Mile High Youth Corps
other names
Mile High Youth Corps, MHYC, Year One, Inc.
1992
Tax id (EIN)
84-1182631
Category
Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Enterprise Zone Credit
Address
1801 Federal Blvd.Other
6740 E. Colfax AveOther
417 E. Vermijo Ave.Denver County, CO, US
El Paso County, CO, US