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New Jersey Youth Corps-Jersey City

New Jersey Youth Corps-Jersey City is located on campus of Kean Jersey City. Since 1988, the mission has been 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. Together, they form a solid foundation upon which to build a brighter future. 

It is one of the largest youth service and conservation corps in the United States. Youth Corps is a year-round voluntary program that serves young adults between the ages 16-25 years old 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 community service projects. During corps members' tenure in the program they receive a stipend. 

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NJ Youth Corps

Our Programs

Academic Enrichment: New Jersey Youth Corps assists young adults in improving their academic performance. Our approach combines academics with career-related goals in a service-learning approach. In addition to improvement in basic education skills corps members can expect to receive:  

  • Educational development in basic skills  
  • GED academic preparation to obtain a high school equivalency diploma  
  • A combination of life skills and employability skills instruction  
  • Personal and career counseling to build self-esteem, clarify values, and develop leadership skills while they are developing their career portfolio 

Community Service: Corps members are required to work in crews of 6-10 with a supervisor who sets and models clear standards of behavior. The community service projects allow young adults with limited or no employment history an opportunity to develop positive employability skills while addressing the needs of their communities.  

Some examples of the opportunities available are:  

  • Stocking and Serving at Local Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries  
    Corps members help prepare, organize, and distribute food to individuals and families in need, supporting food security in their communities. 
  • Basic Office Skills and Social Media Content Development  
    Members gain administrative experience by assisting with filing, data entry, and office organization, while also learning to create and manage digital content for community outreach. 
  • Presentation Development and Facilitation 
    Participants build communication and leadership skills by designing and leading interactive presentations and workshops for children and families at a local children's museum. 
  • Teacher Assistance and Promoting a Positive School Climate 
    Corps members support educators in the classroom, help facilitate youth activities, and contribute to creating a safe and supportive learning environment. 
  • Community Restoration and Gardening 
    Members take part in neighborhood beautification, urban gardening, and green space revitalization projects, helping to restore pride in local communities. 

Transitional Services: Transitional services and continuing supportive services are available to corps members as they transition to college, secondary vocational training, employment or other national and domestic service opportunities.  

Additional services provided are:  

  • College Placement  
  • Career Portfolio/Resume  
  • Financial Aid Assistance  
  • Additional Vocational Training  
  • Job Placement  
  • Life skills and employability skills