Forty years ago today, our Articles of Incorporation were signed by our Founder Mickey Kantor—officially launching the LA Conservation Corps.

The Corps began with a simple but powerful idea: to take the model of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps and adapt it to meet the needs of young Angelenos. We started with 27 former gang members who came together at a decommissioned fire station in South Central Los Angeles to work on themselves while uplifting their community. These young adults became our very first Corpsmembers.

Since then, the Corps has grown to six sites across Los Angeles County, serving more than 500 young adults every year and our services continue to grow.  

Today, our young adult Corpsmembers receive comprehensive support and resources to ensure they have the tools to succeed both within and beyond the program. Corpsmembers work on conservation projects including: urban greening/tree planting, community beautification, habitat restoration & fire fuel reduction, recycling, regenerative agriculture and disaster response & recovery.  Responding to emergencies and supporting the community in times of need have always been part of the DNA of the LA Conservation Corps. That includes assisting Los Angeles in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires this past January. Click here to watch a video of our wildfire recovery efforts.

And to think—it all started with the stroke of a pen, 40 years ago.

After the signing of our Articles of Incorporation on September 12, 1985, our doors officially opened on April 16, 1986. Throughout this year, we’ll be announcing special events and sharing stories from Corpsmembers and alumni as we celebrate four decades of changing lives and strengthening communities—all leading up to our 2026 Corps Luncheon in the spring (stay tuned in the coming months for the announcement of a confirmed date).

Forty years is a milestone worth celebrating, but we’re aiming for 40 more and beyond. While the times may change, the needs of young Angelenos and our communities remain and we’re committed to being here for this generation and all of LA—and every generation to come.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more updates—we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the Corps, our Corpsmembers, and our shared goal of making Los Angeles a better place for everyone.

To learn more about opportunities to participate in the Corps’ 40th Anniversary celebration and explore ways to get involved, please email info@lacorps.org.

‍