History & Overview

The Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) was launched in 1997 and became an independent 501(c)(3) in 2000. CYCA has quickly proven to be a nationally recognized expert in youth corps development and sustainable youth corps practices. CYCA began out of a strategic planning process undertaken by a group of stakeholders in 1996 who were interested in engaging youth in a significant way in Colorado’s conservation and stewardship efforts. Their goal was to join private and public funders and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to accomplish two major objectives:

1) To serve the growing conservation and stewardship needs of Colorado’s natural resources through the intentional involvement of a diverse population of young people using the comprehensive youth corps model; and

2) To develop a statewide organization to foster, strengthen and provide links between existing and new corps in Colorado, leading to local youth corps sustainability.

For the past seven years, CYCA has grown the local youth corps network by establishing new programs in underserved areas of the state and tripling the number of young people involved. Nine independent programs serving 680 youth currently operate throughout Colorado. All youth corps must meet 42 standards through CYCA’s accreditation process focusing on corps member development and education, quality service projects, and effective program management, infrastructure and governance. CYCA provides technical assistance, develops financial resources, and centralizes evaluation practices with the local programs.

The work performed by corps has significantly impacted the number of stewardship projects completed statewide for public land managers, creating an increased demand for more youth corps crews and larger geographic areas to be served by the local programs. CYCA manages the state’s largest AmeriCorps Education Awards program and since 1999, has awarded $949,490 in post-secondary education awards to 748 young people.

CYCA serves the conservation and funding communities. We make it easy for funders and public land managers to invest in, and partner with, youth corps. We stretch investment dollars and reduce administrative costs. These innovative partnerships allow more corpsmembers to participate in youth corps and provide more communities with access to a youth corps’ services. We ensure that an investment in a youth corps produces the desired result!

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CYCA Services

CYCA provides essential services to the state’s self-governing youth corps that allow them to do what they do best - engage youth in service to Colorado. We develop time, resources, and expertise for programs, freeing them to do the work of providing life gear to young Coloradans.

Accredits youth corps to ensure quality programming
Leverages funds to support youth development and educational components for local programs such as providing AmeriCorps Education Awards
Coordinates statewide project management
Builds capacity
Provides technical assistance and training
Centralizes evaluation and reporting of youth corps outcomes and accomplishments
Develops youth corps professionals

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