It started with a thought.
"If solving the world's problems take so much work, a corps program could be an easy and organized way to get the work done."
There's lots of corps programs out there- Marine Corps, Job Corps, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, there's probably more.
Creating a corps program where people can work on the Sustainable Development Goals could give a structured space to get tasks delegated and tangibly completed. Ideally people would work on the goals without having to worry about adulting tasks like paying bills and coordinating food and housing. In addition, the structure of the program itself would aim to be part of the solution for the goals.
Here's what it could look like in the US. In the future there will be a separate post about types of services the Corps would provide, the services listed below are an example.
Target Audience for Corps Membership:
1. People with Disabilities
Centers or different areas in centers would cater to different needs such as American Sign Language speakers, legally blind, sensory friendly, etc. All centers would provide as many accommodations as possible- the difference above between generic centers and catered centers are whether accommodations are made for disabled individuals in an abled community or if accommodations are made for abled individuals in a disabled community. An example of the later is teaching an abled person how to use technology systems designed around accommodating a disability or having an ASL translator in a space where the primary language is ASL.
2. Survivors of Abuse
There are no requirements for the gender of the survivor or the type of relationship they are leaving. Centers can have different areas that cater to the needs of specific kinds of trauma. Depending on the situation the person is leaving, there are different kinds of security clearances and protections for living and working spaces.
3. People Moving Forward
People who have specific professional or personal goals they are trying to achieve and need a healthy space to heal, grow, practice skills, and prepare to leave successfully. If a person's goal involves breaks, they can return to the Corps program during break periods. The Corps program can provide references and other information such as addresses. Different areas in centers would cater to different types of goals.
4. People Adapting to Economic Change
The Corps program can provide jobs to those who have lost their positions because of automation, because their industry was shut down by advancements, or because their industry was determined to be detrimental to climate change or other Sustainable Development goals. A great way for this to be set up would be if each country closed a military base and used it for this corps program. Countries with a large military presence would give up bases based on the ratio of military infrastructure in comparison to the population. The security-based infrastructure of a military base would provide ideal security for people fleeing domestic violence, as the level of danger increases significantly after the survivor leaves.
These are example of types of work that could be available at Corps Centers.
-food preparation
-food repackaging
-food distribution
-reforestation and solarpunk building initiatives
-foster care services for youth, dependent adults, and elderly adults
-mutual aid assisted living services
-disability services otherwise not covered
-paralegal services
-reproductive health services
-mental health services
-entrepreneurialism
-climate change solution coordination
-public policy
-journalism
Here are some values and intentional culture that would make up the the corps program:
Mutual Aid
The Corps would provide services, but there wouldn't be an employee-to-client relationship. Everyone has the opportunity to work, and everyone has the opportunity to get help. Solidarity, not charity.
Growth and Healing
Everyone (workers with leadership positions or seniority are not exempt) would be required to participate in a personal growth program. They could choose between the following programs:
Customized Independent Study
Someone identifies personal work that is important to them and what method they will be using to do the work. This can be a continuation of what they know works best for them within a routine they have established before entering the Corps, including self care and stress reduction activities.
Identity Building
Someone identifies that the personal work they need to do is focusing on healthy activities that build a sense of identity such as hobbies, team activities, or studying topics of interest.
Integrated Maintenance Practice
This is a program designed for a person to integrate healthy coping skills into their life.
SMART Recovery
This is an addiction recovery program that is not religious.
Recovery Dharma
This is an addiction recovery program that uses Buddhist principles.
12 Step: AA, NA, CODA, WA, OA, GA
These are spiritually-based addiction recovery programs that focus on specific addictions.
Other
There's other established programs out there. People can start their own groups.
People with disabilities, survivors of abuse, and people trying to stabilize their life and succeed are often brought down by privileged people who can harm others without consequence by untreated mental health problems such as psychological abuse. Having a mentally safe environment would be a requirement for accessibility and success of the program. Corps centers would be free of all abuse. Human rights would be protected, even if it goes against the culture of the area.
Along with accommodations, members would be given high expectations regarding work and behavior. Having high expectations in a supportive environment is important to help people succeed.
Sus. Dev. Corps programs would be high-quality. There is an application process. Those who are unable to follow the rules would be removed from the program and can seek services from other organizations. The main reason why existing services are so difficult for clients to participate in is because the combined lack of support, rules, and healthy boundaries creates toxic and unsafe situations.
There would need to be a reasonable 'client' exception for those who are both mentally challenged and using foster or assisted living services. The client status should only be used for young children and those whose symptoms are so severe it is not possible to resolve through personal work, such as those with dementia. This would only apply to things like negative energy, and not egregious crimes, including psychological abuse. The sites would not to be called or referred to as a sustainable development corps program. It is easy to use a label, structure requires effort. Instead, each would have it's own name and if it met the standards of the sustainable development goals then it would be put on an "official corps program" list.
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