Making a Difference

Impact Data

Since 1983, we have served over 5,000 young adults. As a long term, full-time, year round program, many of our participants are engaged with us over several years. On average, we serve approximately 249 young people per year with high-touch, high impact programming.

The following data are taken from 2022 Annual report (Fiscal Year 2022: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022)

  • You have overcome obstacles and worked hard, harder than a lot of people I know. On behalf of your entire city, I hope you forgive me for saying we are hella proud. Oakland needs you. You’ve got the skills, the achievement; you’ve got the grit and determination. That’s how they make us in Oakland.

    Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf
    Oakland Mayor Libby Schaafat Civicorps’ June 2017 Graduation

Who We Serve

(Fiscal Year 2022: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022)

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249 Youth participated in our programs

69%

Men

27%

Women

1%

Non-Binary

1%

Transgender

100% Received support from case counseling

100% Live below the poverty line

44% Reported being exposed to violence

22% Experienced housing instability

16% Parents of young children

17% Had contact with the legal system

12% Documented learning disability

13% Had contact with the foster care system

15% English language learners

100% Powerful

  • At Civicorps, we discover stories of young people of color who are learning real skills, earning their diplomas, committing to their futures, and becoming leaders in their communities; stories that mainstream media would often lead us to believe don’t exist.

    Peter Kim
    Peter KimFormer Interim Director, Department of Violence Prevention, City of Oakland

Youth Development Impact

(Fiscal Year 2022: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022)

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64 Brushcutters

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53 Chainsaws

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28 Class B&C permits or licenses

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59 E-waste

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35 Forklifts

Pallet Structures Built

Hours of paid conservation services

Earned by Corpsmembers

  • There are so many people that don’t see the potential in themselves. I want to give back to my community and to young people who felt what I felt. Show them that there is someone out there like them who is trying to make it.

    I’eishia
    I’eishiaCivicorps graduate

Conservation and Land Management Impact

(Fiscal Year 2022: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022)

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997 Acres of wildland fire mitigation

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53 Miles of trail construction and maintenance

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38 Acres of habitat restoration

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37 Miles of shoreline and waterway improvement

  • Since its founding in 1983 as one of the first local conservation corps in California, Civicorps has advanced the CCC’s mission to protect and enhance California’s natural resources and communities. As the only conservation corps serving the East Bay, Civicorps meets the region’s urgent need for sustainable land management while providing high quality education and workforce development opportunities for youth. The CCC includes Civicorps among its important and valued partners in preserving California’s most vital natural resources.

    Bruce Saito
    Bruce SaitoDirector of the California Conservation Corps

Recycling Impact

(Fiscal Year 2021: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021)

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361 Tons of CRV material collected

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192 Tons of E-waste collected

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107 Used oil centers supported

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7,564 Abandoned tires collected

  • We have consistently found that Civicorps graduates shine once they join Waste Management as apprentices, having gained a solid foundation in technical knowledge and soft skills during their time at Civicorps. Facing an aging workforce, Waste Management and the Teamsters are actively seeking to build a pipeline of young, diverse talent, and Civicorps is instrumental in helping us accomplish this.

    Barry Skolnick
    Barry SkolnickPresident, Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.

Success Stories

Annual Reports

Civicorps is the only program in the East Bay that offers paid job training in conservation, land management and recycling careers for youth ages 18-26.  Youth at Civicorps have the ambition, talent, and perseverance to succeed; what they deserve is personalized mentoring and support as they develop a plan to achieve their goals. Some participants have experienced failures of multiple systems — the traditional school system, the justice system, and the child welfare system. Against a larger Bay Area backdrop of accelerating income inequality, neighborhood displacement, food and housing insecurity, Civicorps’ programs and support services are more vital than ever.

Based in West Oakland, Civicorps has been transforming lives and landscapes since 1983. 

 

2023

How You Can Help

Do you share our vision for a world where all youth have the education and resources needed for college and career success? Want to transform lives and landscapes with Civicorps? Join us!

There are lots of ways to connect with us, whether you’re interested in volunteering, donating, hiring our Corpsmembers, or you’re just looking to stay in the know with what’s happening on the ground in West Oakland.

You can help us create a world where all youth have the education and resources needed for college and career success.  Join us in our bold mission!