Youth Corps Project

Project Period
October 2005 - September2008

Young people making a difference for
themselves and their communities.
Volunteer. Serve. Work.

The Youth Corps Project provides youth with disabilities service opportunities, work experiences, and internships to assist them in developing the skills and habits that will lead to successful, paid employment. Our community is part of a six-state project which encompasses: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Youth Corps, awarded to CTAT, the Region VIII CRP-RCEP, is one of five projects funded this year by the Corporation for National and Community Service to address the inclusion of people with disabilities in community service programs and volunteer opportunities.

MontanaWorks, a Bitterroot Valley employment agency, will be available as a resource to schools, students and families, service agencies, and employers working with high school-aged youth. The Rural Institute Transition Projects will be the resource working with middle school-aged students. Youth Corps is a three-year project. Project activities are being conducted for approximately 20 students in Hamilton Middle School, Corvallis, Florence, Victor, and Hamilton high schools.

Who can participate in the Youth Corps Project?

Youth age 12-21,
With a documented disability,
Who have little or no previous work experience,
Who may or may not receive services through an IEP,
And who want to participate in work experience, community service, or employment.

What can the Youth Corps Project offer its participants?
MontanaWorks will serve as a resource to local school staff, education cooperative staff, families and students in the areas of:

Assessing students’ interests, contributions, support needs and skills;
Developing work experience and employment sites;
Identifying community service opportunities in the valley;
Organizing a community service project or service day;
Planning for transition; and
Forming linkages with adult services agencies.

How will this project benefit youth?

Discover what you like and don’t like to do for work,
Identify what you do best,
Build your resume,
Make employment connections,
Learn new skills, and
Be part of your community.

How will this project benefit employers?

Increase your pool of qualified staff by having a hand in molding and training them by providing internships.
MontanaWorks will assist you to identify your business needs and only recommend youth who have contributions that are a match for your needs.

How will this project benefit the school?

Youth Corps will supplement the current school-to-work program;
The Project Coordinator will be available to assist school staff develop internship and/or volunteer sites in each local community; and
Youth Corps can provide assistance and resources in the areas of job development, understanding the impact of wages on SSA benefits, staying in compliance with the Fair Labors Standards Act, and linking with adult service agencies.

For additional information, contact:

Ellen Condon, Director of Rural Institute Transition Projects
(406) 243-4134, condon@ruralinstitute.umt.edu