Community Conservation Corps

The Community Conservation Corps (CCC) is a project of the Institute for the Study of Civic Values that involves placing public assistance recipients in community service internships throughout Philadelphia linked to their current skills and long-range career goals. . The CCC helps people on welfare gain work experience now within the City's neighborhoods that strengthens their ability to secure full-time employment and meet long-range career goals in the future.

The Institute has been developing this program over a five year period. In that time, more than 50 percent of our graduates found jobs. A post-employment survey of these participants showed they were still employed in the same position or a better one at least six months after being hired. 58 percent of the participants had received raises or promotions. The job readiness seminar that we have developed for the program has proven to enhance significantly the recipients' chances of finding good paying jobs consistent with their long-term goals. Seventy-one percent who found jobs attended the seminar regularly..

Evaluators of workfare programs report that participants often fail to show up for work and that their jobs often provide no skills training that can help them secure full time employment. The Community Conservation Corps has overcome all of these obstacles. By concentrating on quality placement, case management, and on-the-job skills and work habits training, we have been able succeed where other programs have failed. The CCC provides:

Careful evaluation and placement. Each participant is evaluated for skills and aspirations. All agencies in our community service network commit to providing on-the-job training and considering interns for paid positions if available. We carefully match intern to placement slot.

Support for agencies and interns to ensure that the internship experience is a success. Case managers work with both site supervisors and interns to ensure that participants fulfill community service activities and work in positions which maximize their skills and interests.

Job readiness and career preparation training. Unlike standard job readiness models, the Community Conservation Corps provides on-the-job training in office skills, including the use of computer software and the Internet, along with help in typing and data entry. We work with the Center for Literacy to provide workplace literacy training for interns who require this additional support.

Regional Job Development. The Community Conservation Corps benefits from the Job Development services of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition. GPUAC's reverse commuting project has pioneered in extending job development to locations throughout the Delaware Valley.

Links to formal social service networks referrals to government and private programs in order reduce barriers to long-term self-sufficiency. The CCC stresses lifelong learning by helping participants develop short and long range goals, and supporting them in juggling work, family and training.