Youth Corps

Through community-led experiential learning and leadership development, Youth Corps aspires to create leaders out of 9th and 10th grade students who are encouraged to live a life of influence, be productive citizens, lifelong learners, and take responsibility for their lives and community.

Youth Corps empowers 9th and 10th grade students across the Midlands of South Carolina through a 9-month experiential leadership development program. Since 2005, Youth Corps has equipped hundreds of young people with the tools, confidence, and real-world skills they need to lead in their schools, careers, and communities.

Students gain exposure to diverse career fields, develop public speaking and critical thinking skills, build relationships with mentors, and participate in service projects that impact their communities. Through hands-on experiences, they become more self-aware, community-minded, and prepared for life beyond high school.

Alumni go on to pursue college, careers, and service with a deep sense of purpose-many returning to give back as mentors, volunteers, and civic leaders. Youth Corps helps students grow into the leaders our region needs-compassionate, confident, and ready to make a difference. Student after student has stated, "I would not be where I am today without Youth Corps!"

Testimonials

"Youth Corps gave me more useful life-skills than my years in school ever did…how to carry myself professionally, how to make sure I know everyone's name in a room, and most importantly, how to be ruthlessly engaged. YC experiences like running my own business, lobbying with elected officials, and learning how to lead and be led continue to pay dividends for me professionally and personally." -YC Alumni (2014-15)
"I realized leadership isn't about being in charge. It's about knowing how to lead and when to follow. It's about doing the uncomfortable thing, because that's where the growth is." - Donovan Washington YC13