Introduction

ServCorps is a volunteer service organization focused on the construction and restoration of homes through collaborations in the Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford, Connecticut, and through mission trips to areas suffering from natural disasters. In addition to encouraging volunteerism, ServCorps promotes internships and gap year placements for youth to a variety of local and national programs.

Our History

Begun as a mission arm of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut, ServCorps spun off in 2001 as an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to create volunteer opportunities and internships in order to build a culture of community service.  At our inception, we had two major focuses:

        -   Encouraging and helping post-high school young people to take a “gap year” working for non-profit organizations around the country

        -   Overseeing week-long trips for both high school students and adults to rebuild the homes and lives of people affected by natural disasters

Out of the disaster rebuilding experiences there evolved a core group of very committed volunteers who have the skills and the motivation to teach others how to build. In order to capitalize on this expertise, we began to also focus on building affordable housing in Hartford. As a contractor for Asylum Hill Congregational Church and Habitat for Humanity, ServCorps encouraged and oversaw the construction or rehabilitation of five houses on Huntington Street that replaced abandoned buildings and brought stability to that end of the street. With respect to our rehabilitation work, the Hartford Building Inspector said it was some of the highest quality work he had ever seen in the city.

Our success with rehabilitation led to a collaboration with NINA- Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance-the outreach arm of St. Francis Hospital, The Hartford, Aetna, and Webster Bank, among others.  The goal of the collaboration is threefold:

       -   To increase the rate of owner occupied housing in the Asylum Hill neighborhood, which, at 9%, has one of the lowest rates in the region

       -   To preserve and restore historic, 100-year-old homes while keeping them relatively affordable

       -   To provide construction training for inner city young people in the YouthBuild Hartford Program of Co-opportunity, Inc., as well as to offer year-long, paid constuction interships to selected graduates of the program

Mission Statement

ServCorps creates volunteer opportunities and internships to build and encourage a culture of community service. Using our volunteers’ expertise in construction, we improve the lives of individuals and communities by building and rehabilitating housing locally, in disaster stricken areas, and in other communities in need across the country. Our participants forge strong relationships, learn skills, embrace diversity, and experience the joy of serving others.

Vision Statement

Our 5-year vision is to honor our Mission Statement by continuing to expand and strengthen our organization through increasing the stability of our financial base, volunteer base, and collaborations with other institutions; maintaining a skilled staff and diverse board that will weather any transitions; expanding our internship, mentoring, and service learning opportunities and broadening our areas of service while continuing to have joy and fellowship in the service of others.

What's in it for young people

“Fun.” “Challenging.” “Meaningful”. All words that young people have used to describe the ServCorps experience. It is a great feeling to help other people and to see that you have really made a difference in their lives. As a ServCorps volunteer, you will work alongside people of all different ages and backgrounds. Sometimes you learn about working in a group, and sometimes you learn about yourself, as you stretch to meet the demands of the job. You don’t need to have any construction expertise; our adult volunteers like to teach and give you plenty of support as you develop new skills.

Link to Betsy Andrews book

 Betsy Andrews, one of our long time volunteers and a ServCorps Board member, put together a book of photos and quotes about the ServCorps experience. You can order a copy at:  Click Here