Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC)

Founded as Year One, Inc., Mile High Youth Corps (mhyc) was established in 1992 to address the educational and employment needs of denvers Youth while connecting them to their community and the outdoors. That first Year, 20 Youth served denver neighborhoods through a single 10-week program. Today, mhyc is a comprehensive, year-round model serving 250 young adults annually across 23 Colorado counties from broomfield county all the way south to the new mexico border having the largest geographic footprint amongst colorados eight accredited Youth Corps. Youth, ages 18-24, receive on-the-job training and career readiness programs leading to the obtainment of industry-recognized certifications, an americorps education award and leadership opportunities to help them achieve their educational and employment goals. These young adults, called Corps members, are employed and trained to serve on community-based projects related to land conservation, energy and water conservation, healthcare or construction. While many Corps members have significant barriers (housing, transportation, child care, etc.) To accomplishing educational and employment related benchmarks, mhyc is committed and intentional in its approach to removing those barriers and ensuring all young people are positioned for long-term success to date, Mile High Youth Corps has served over 4,500 Corps members, provided 4.1 million in americorps education awards, and delivered 1.6 million hours of service. Corps members have built or maintained more than 300 miles of trail, helped build over 1,300 affordable housing units, and retrofitted over 45,000 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.