Youth Corps Act
The Youth Corps Act of 2010 is a win-win-win youth workforce building solution.
The Challenge: Unprecedented youth unemployment rates topping 21%. This spells lower long-term wages for a generation of workers, possibly years of unemployment before even entering the workforce, and for some, the likelihood of permanent unemployment.
Corps Are THE Solution! In Corps across the nation, young people make major gains.
- Workforce Development: Corpsmembers receive an education, gain life skills and job training.
- Build Stronger Communities: They serve their towns and cities by weatherizing low-income homes, serving in public schools, restoring the environment, and responding to natural disasters.
- Back to Work: Unemployed young people find rewarding work that prepares them for the next step on career paths where there are an abundance of openings—like with the National Forest Service.
- Learning from Disadvantages: Corps have proven particularly effective at engaging young people with physical disabilities, those who have been previously court involved or incarcerated, as well as veterans from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) have introduced the Youth Corps Act of 2010, a bill that would create a home for Corps within the Department of Labor. Specifically, this legislation will create a grant program within the Department of Labor to provide funding for youth Service and Conservation Corps to access in order to provide education and job training to at-risk youth across the nation.
Download “The Youth Corps Act” one pager to share with your members of Congress.
In an article describing excellent “gap year” options for students between high school and college, reporter Rebecca Kern profiled Conservation Corps as a way for young people to continue learning, develop job skills and make a difference. The Corps Network's President & CEO Sally Prouty is quoted
The Clean Energy Service Corps. In the past few years, America has experienced tremendous excitement about the potential of
Once a wildly undisciplined youth, William Brandt’s lack of direction was aggravated by substance abuse and a defensive, angry attitude. He got into trouble with the law.