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. Service today leads to success tomorrow.

Founded by Josie Heath in 1992 and rooted in the tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, Mile High Youth Corps (originally named Year One) has addressed the employment and educational needs of youth by putting them to work on projects that benefit the local community. Primarily focused on conservation and neighbourhood improvement, this program gives youth the chance to earn, learn and serve in their community. During its 18-year history, the Corps has successfully transitioned from a small, seasonal, neighbourhood-based organization to a comprehensive, year-round regional agency, serving 15 counties throughout Metropolitan Denver and the Southern Front Range.

Through hands-on service, MHYC’s YouthBuild AmeriCorps Program helps Corpsmembers develop the skills, motivation and knowledge needed to positively contribute to their communities and succeed in the classroom, the workforce and everyday life. One unique feature of this program compared to other YouthBuild programs is that Corpsmembers learn green construction skills while building affordable homes for low-income families. YouthBuilders participate in all aspects of green building construction from laying a foundation to roofing to electrical wiring and other specialized projects such as solar panel installation. Corpsmembers are split into two crews. One crew spends a week on the construction site and attending construction classes focused on Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Trainings (PACT) and OSHA 10-Hour Certifications, while the other crew spends a week in the classroom working towards their GED and attending Job Readiness Training. The crews then flip-flop sites each week.

In 2010, YouthBuild Corpsmembers will construct 89 low-income, green housing units. In 2010, 35 young adults will participate in the YouthBuild AmeriCorps Program and are eligible to earn a $1,415 AmeriCorps education award after completing 450 hours of service. Additionally, Mile High Youth Corps leverages other resources and support in the community to sustain the program by partnering with over 50 national and local organizational ranging from construction companies to the Red Rocks Community College.

This past March, two of the YouthBuild Corpsmembers, Kenny Luckes and Sharmine Chapman, were chosen to attend the YouthBuild National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. joining more than 100 delegates from other programs across the nation to develop their leadership skills while discussing the national YouthBuild movement. During the conference elections to join the National Young Leaders Council were held. Founder and President of YouthBuild USA, Dorothy Stoneman said, “The delegate from Denver blew everything out of the water, having written and memorized a marvelous speech and then delivering it in perfect tune with his audience.”

After giving his speech, Kenny Luckes, who was reluctant to join YouthBuild at first, was voted in to serve on the council. He will join other current students and alumni of the YouthBuild program to be the voice on a national stage for all students of the YouthBuild movement.