What is New Jersey Youth Corps

New Jersey Youth Corps is one of the largest youth service and conservation corps in the United States.  Youth Corps is a year-round, voluntary program which engages young adults (ages 16-25) in full-time community service, training, and educational activities.  Guided by staff who serve as mentors and role models, teams of youth called “crews” carry out a wide range of service projects.  In return for their efforts to restore and strengthen communities, Corpsmembers receive: 1) education development in basic skills and preparation to obtain a GED or locally issued Adult High School Diploma; 2) life skills and employability skills instruction; 3) personal and career counseling to build self-esteem, clarify values, and develop leadership skills while they are developing their career portfolio;

New Jersey Youth Corps operates at the following 12 locations around the state: Asbury Park, Monmouth County Camden, Camden County Elizabeth, Union County Jersey City, Hudson County New Brunswick, Middlesex County Newark, Essex County Paterson, Passaic County Phillipsburg, Warren County Pleasantville, Atlantic/Cape May Counties Trenton, Mercer County Vineland, Cumberland County

            Our Mission Since 1985

To restore and preserve the dignity of young adults who have been underserved, and enhance their value to society by providing a comprehensive program of academic instruction and community service that form a solid foundation upon which to build a brighter future.

More About New Jersey Youth Corps...

Community Service Projects: Participants in corps programs work in crews of six to ten with a paid crew supervisor who sets and models clear standards of behavior. Community service crew projects are intended to provide youth, who have little or no real employment history, with an opportunity to develop positive employability skills while addressing unmet community needs. Youth Corps crews undertake a wide range of work projects. Many are similar to the forestry and park projects of the Civilian Conservation Corps; others fill gaps in the services of urban parks, renovate housing, and assist human service agencies. All meet community needs, allow young people to serve as community resources and all combine academics with work in a service-learning approach. Corps members receive a stipend for their valuable work in the community.

Employability Skills and Life Skills: All Corpsmembers participate in employability skills and life skills instruction designed to assist with strengthening basic employment skills needed to obtain and retain employment, as well as life skills necessary for post-program success.

Personal and Career Counseling:

Personal and career counseling is designed to help remove barriers to employment and success. Corps members participate in individual and group counseling to build self-esteem, clarify values, and develop leadership skills. Constant supportive counseling is integral to the New Jersey Youth Corps experience for every Corps member while they are developing their career portfolio and during the post-program transition period.

Education Development: New Jersey Youth Corps assists young adults in improving their academics.  One-half of the program’s time is dedicated to improving and developing the academic skills of Corpsmembers.  Youth Corps incorporates small group, total group and individual assistance in its instructional approach.  It combines academics with career-related goals and community service activities in a service-learning approach.  In addition to improvement in basic education skills, education development can lead to Corpsmembers’ obtaining a GED (General Educational Development) diploma, or a locally issued Adult High School Diploma.

Corpsmembers who successfully complete the program receive college referral services, job placement assistance, personal portfolio development, follow-up, and assistance in transitioning to further training or service programs.

Successful New Jersey Youth Corps programs must develop strong collaborative efforts with local non-profit agencies, government agencies, schools, training programs, and human service organizations.  These collaborative efforts provide the link for accessing a variety of services necessary to eliminate barriers to success for youth.