Year One, Inc.

Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) helps a new generation of leaders emerge as engaged adults with the tools they need to grapple with the complex problems facing people and the planet today.

Our work tackles the problems of inequity, unemployment, climate change, disconnected communities, education and incarceration. We disrupt what is sometimes known as a "school-to-prison pipeline." Instead, we are helping talented young adults achieve their secondary credential, and college degrees, and their life dreams.

MHYC helps youth develop the voice, skills, and education they need to be successful. They become confident contributors in their communities. Service is an essential component of their experience-it binds one to their community, to a world beyond themselves.

Mile High Youth Corps employs, educates and trains young adults ages 17-24 years old. Corpsmembers earn a wage and can pursue high school equivalency diplomas or GEDs while serving community in one of four career tracks: land conservation, energy & water conservation, construction or healthcare. Corpsmembers are eligible for AmeriCorps Education Awards during their term of service.

Historically, young people have been at the forefront of social justice movements, including the US Civil Right movement, LGBTQIA movement, feminism, environmentalism, environmental justice, labor, anti-war and immigration rights movements, among many others. Fundamentally, we believe individuals can and do make the difference.

For that reason, we have specific career pathways that give youth a variety of ways to develop through the act of meaningful service. They learn about themselves by helping others and receive the necessary wrap-around support services from staff as they grow.

Balancing the needs of high quality work with the development of technical job skills, infused with soft skills development and wraparound supports, require a comprehensive and intentional approach. Through their term of service, Corpsmembers commit to personal growth, technical skill development, and on-going learning, even as they learn to maintain housing, coordinate childcare, combat the residue of trauma or manage finances in newly experienced independence. MHYC’s case management team provides direct support to help mitigate these barriers to success. The Case Manager: Resources maintains a network of established partnerships to address health care, housing resources, and childcare. Contracted counselors, provided through partnerships with Sheridan Health Services and Mental Health Center of Denver’s Emerson Street, give Corpsmembers onsite access to mental health services. Life skills classes teach Corpsmembers how to manage finances, maintain healthy lifestyles and relationships and plan for the future. MHYC also maintains a food bank onsite to ensure direct access to food as needed and provides bus passes to Corpsmembers monthly.

To address youth’s limited work experience, MHYC’s Career Readiness Training focuses specifically on soft skills development, including punctuality/attendance, problem solving, cognitive skills, communication, work ethic, team work, accountability and interpersonal skills. In addition, programming is structured to simulate the workplace, providing Corpsmembers an opportunity to test these skills and receive ongoing feedback and coaching. MHYC’s Program Coordinator: College and Careers, oversees the career and post-secondary readiness training, placing deliberate focus on supporting Corpsmember transition, placement, and retention. Recognizing the critical importance of post-secondary education for career advancement, MHYC’s Case Manager: College and Transitions supports Corpsmembers as they explore educational options and navigate the application and financial aid process. One-year follow-up services provide Corpsmembers with post-program support in job searches, continuing education and overcoming barriers.

In addition to the personal impact our work has, MHYC has deeply impacted the communities and citizens of Colorado since 1992 through an outcome-driven program model:

*3,900 Corpsmembers served, providing $4.1 million in AmeriCorps scholarships, and delivered 2.1 million hours of service.
*Corpsmembers have build or maintained more than 250 miles of trail, helped build over 1000 affordable housing units, and retrofit 45,000 income qualifying homes for energy and water saving measures.
*Through energy and water saving measures over 475 million gallons of water have been saved and over 35,000,000 of lifetime kWH savings have been generated.