Serving Our Community For More Than 30 Years!
Founded in 1990, Greater Miami Service Corps (GMSC) is part of the Modern Corps Movement born from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): a Great Depression-era federal work relief program created to engage unemployed individuals in the revitalization of the country and community.
The mayor of Miami-Dade County and community leaders had the vision to provide comprehensive training for local youth. They worked diligently to have Miami-Dade County selected to participate in the Urban Corps Expansion Project (UCEP). Greater Miami Service Corps represents a significant collaborative effort involving key community persons from:
- Miami-Dade County
- City of Miami
- City of Hialeah
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools
- Miami Dade College
- Private Industry Council
- Latin Chamber of Commerce
- Partners for Youth
- South Florida AFL-CIO
- City of Miami Police Department
- Cultural Affairs Council
- The Public Housing and Community Development
- Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust
GMSC engages young people between the ages of 18-24 in service. The majority of young people (Corpsmembers) come to Corps looking for a second chance to succeed in life. In return for their efforts, Corpsmembers receive guidance from adult leaders who serve as mentors and role models.
Corpsmembers receive a modest stipend and a wide range of member development services, including significant educational opportunities, career preparation, and the opportunity to invest in their communities. Many of the youth served are youth who emancipated from foster care, youth who are former offenders, youth who may have dropped out of school, youth who are basic skills deficient, and single parents.
GMSC works with various organizations, companies, government agencies, and institutions to engage Corpsmembers in meaningful projects that address local and national issues. GMSC employs a diverse group of young people, representing different abilities, life circumstances, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Throughout our program history, GMSC has provided county-wide services and opportunities to over thousandths of young people. We now proudly boast the success of young people who hold Juris Doctorates, Master, Bachelor, and Associate Degrees, who are attorneys, serve in state and county leadership, are teachers, architects, customer service representatives, journeymen, laborers, account clerks, supervisors, and the list goes on and on.
Over the years, Greater Miami Service Corps has received numerous national and community awards, including The Corps Network’s Strategic Partnership Award; National Service Corps of the Year Award; YouthBuild Highest Education Attainment Award, Social Worker Team of the Year; William “Sonny” Walker Self-Sufficiency Award; and Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award.
Greater Miami Service Corps is accredited through
The Corps Center of Excellence
a subsidiary of The Corps Network.
