The Service Corps Department, is a transformational force in the lives of young men and women embodied in a diverse national service environment; empowering individuals with purpose to improve their community through revitalization, environmental conservation, hunger elimination, volunteer recruitment and youth leadership and development.  Throughout a term of service, ServiceCorps members are equipped with the essentials skills for a productive and vibrant future. Service Corps improves the Greater Buffalo community while changing lives through two distinct programs: ServiceCorps (funded by Corporation for National & Community Service) and YouthBuild (funded by the Department of Labor)

Who do members serve? ServiceCorps and YouthBuild members serve Low-income families/individuals, seniors and veterans. Members serve in team-based corps or individual placements at various organizations and agencies in the Greater Buffalo area. 

What do members do? ServiceCorps members receive extensive hands-on work experience, training, certifications and life skills development that will contribute in at least one of the four service areas of community revitalization, environmental conservation, hunger elimination, and volunteer recruitment and management.

YouthBuild members work toward earning their GED in a classroom setting, two days a week. When they are not in the classroom, members serve Buffalo community in a team-based setting where they learn job skills, acquire extensive hands on construction training, under the mentorship of a site-supervisor, by building or renovating low-income housing, schools or other community facilities.

When do they serve? Members serve full-time for one year starting in X month.

Why do members serve? Members serve because they want to improve their lives while providing service to the community. 

YouthBuild is an alternative education program that offers individuals ages 16-24 training and practical experience for "in-demand" industry careers through community revitalization projects, while also working to earn a GED certificate through the program. Most program participants have been in the juvenile justice system, are aging out of foster care, are high school dropouts, and/or are otherwise at-risk of failing to reach key educational milestones and opportunities that lead to career fulfillment.  They join the YouthBuild program because they are looking to transform their lives and roles in society.

How does the staff of The Service Collaborative support members? Staff plans and provide opportunities for personal and professional development by offering training and certification courses. In addition, staff provides additional support to ensure members grow as civically-engaged youth leaders by providing leadership opportunities and other avenues for growth.