PURPOSE

The mission of the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps (SGVCC) is to develop and transform disadvantaged youth in the San Gabriel Valley by providing academic, vocational, and leadership development while also employing them to provide valuable services to improve their communities and the natural environment.

PARTICIPANTS

SGVCC targets youth ages 16-25, who are disengaged from school and work, Most of these youth have experienced significant obstacles in life, and are at risk of adjudication and have attained little success in traditional schooling or employment.

PROGRAM

SGVCC is an intensive program that helps disadvantaged youth develop the motivation, self-confidence, work skills, and education necessary to take advantage of an opportunity to succeed in life. Guided by adult leaders, who serve as mentors, role models, technical trainers and supervisors, SGVCC participants work in crews of 5-10 to rebuild or revitalize blighted areas in their communities, usually areas of low-income.

To accomplish our mission we emphasize the interdependence of education and work, and address the individual needs of socially, educationally, and economically disadvantaged youth. Specifically, we:
•         Create and promote a safe, healthy, and structured environment for work and learning.
•         Provide education opportunities for students;
•         To earn a High School Diploma or prepare for the G.E.D. exam in our CharterHigh School.
•         Through after-school homework assistance at our partner high schools.
•         Nurture students’ aspirations and provide the opportunity for post-secondary education.
•         Offer high-quality vocational instruction and paid job training in the areas of;
•         Environmental Conservation projects and Community service.
•         Construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing.
•         Recycling and environmental education and training.
•         Service learning opportunities for at-risk high school students
•         Teach work ethic, teamwork, and essential life skills, through mentoring and
          leadership training.
•         Encourage healthy life choices through positive role modeling and a variety of
          personal development education, including conflict resolution,
          substance abuse prevention, and responsible driving education.
•         Promote economic self-sufficiency through career assessment, employment
          development, and job placement and follow-up services.

PROGRAM BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY

Disadvantaged young people are often pitched as the recipients of services. In SGVCC, though, the opposite is quite true: young people provide service to the community, and in turn, they gain self-respect, education, and skills from their experience. A recent multi-site control group evaluation by Abt Associates/Brandeis University found significant benefits:

•         Significant employment and earnings gain accrue to young people who join;
•         Participation in high-risk behavior declined;
•         Arrest rates drop by one third among all corpsmembers.

The study finds that "youth corps are rare among youth-serving programs in their ability to demonstrate significant and positive impacts on participants." Corps have the potential to accomplish what policy-makers on both sides of the isle have asked for-a program providing all youth an opportunity to serve their nation and communities while learning the skills and values necessary to find career opportunities and future financial stability.