Capacity Building via Senior, Youth
and Prison Worker Programs

Some byway organizations have been able to build capacity through access to government-based employment programs.

Formerly the Green Thumb program, now Experience Works places workers aged 55 and older at host agencies for an average of 20 hours per week paid at minimum wage. Host agencies are either a private nonprofit (501-c-3) organization or a public agency operated by a unit of government.

Similarly, government and community-based programs make low-income or at-risk youth available to nonprofits through summer youth employment and other government-based economic development and youth development programs. Check with your county or state youth bureau for more details.

Local corrections institutions sometimes have trustee work programs that allow prisoners to leave the institution for work details as requested by nonprofit organizations. Check with your local county or state Correctional Department for availability.

An independent federal agency that serves nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations is Americorps.