Mission

Social Enterprise

Our staff take immense pride in the work they do every day to make our tiny corner of the world the best place it can be, to help young adults dream, and then make those dreams a reality.  We are a triple bottom line organization, which means that we are committed to measuring our social and environmental impact in addition to our financial performance. For us, the triple bottom line = the “three Ps”: profit, people, prosperity and the planet.

Through our social enterprises, Civicorps receives funding through contracts with partner agencies such as EBMUD, EBRPD, & CalTrans and Commercial recycling collection services to Oakland businesses.

The resources from these partnerships are reinvested in the professional development, support services and education of our Corpsmembers.  In FY21, our Corpsmembers earned $1.6 million in wages.

Through our contracted work, Corpsmembers are exposed to a variety of practices promoting #ClimateResiliency throughout the East Bay Area.

In this way, Civicorps empowers Corpsmembers to pursue family-sustaining careers through job training and education in conservation and recycling, creating the next generation of environmental stewards for the Bay Area.

Working at the intersection of racial, economic and environmental justice, we create long-term, upwardly mobile career opportunities for young people underrepresented in the green economy and engage them in critical conservation projects. Reinforced by wrap-around support services, our Corpsmembers have a safe place to reach their goals, tackle challenges and thrive.  As they build their resumes through certifications, soft skill building and teamwork, they also tap into our professional networks. Through this dynamic programming, Civicorps has been equipping young adults with tools to advance into leadership roles both within our agency and with outside partners for nearly 40 years.

Here at Civicorps, we really like to put an emphasis on not only job training but also preserving our natural resources.” – Antoine, Recycling Coordinator and former Corpsmember

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