A recent study conducted by Northeastern University concluded that young people are losing jobs at a rate 5 times higher than older workers and that almost half of all job losses have been among workers under 25 years old. With the current economic downturn, it seems as if youth need the proposed job stimulus, too. Here at the Corps, an increase in national funding could allow the Corps to hire more youth, expand the types of projects our Corpsmembers serve on and reach more low-income households thorough our energy and water conservation initiatives. Specifically, the Corps could benefit from funding for:
National and Community Service Programs
MHYC manages the largest AmeriCorps grant through the Colorado Governors Commission on National and Community Service. This funding could increase the numbers of youth we hire.
Community Development Block Grants
The City of Denver gives the Corps CDBG funding for youth employment to improve Denver's neighborhoods. This could increase the number of youth hired and expand the projects we conduct in neighborhoods.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Activities
This could increase the number of youth hired by MHYC.
YouthBuild USA
MHYC operates the only YouthBuild program in Denver and we employ 50+ youth per year. This increase could improve chances for continued funding and increase the numbers of low-income youth hired in Denver.
Weatherization
MHYC audits over 1,000 homes per year introducing young adults to the green economy. These funds could augment the number of homes we reach and the number of youth we employ.
Construction and maintenance on public lands and priority language for Public Lands Corps
This could increase the number of youth hired and increase the number of land conservation projects completed by our crews.
Wildfire mitigation
MHYC fields two sawyer crews each year to address bark beetle. These funds could increase the number of youth trained and expand the regional fire mitigation efforts.
