MAPSCorps (www.mapscorps.org), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is a large scale youth employment program that has operated in the South and West sides of Chicago since 2009, and in Harlem and the Bronx in New York City since 2014. MAPSCorps employs and engages youth from underserved communities to highlight assets in and provide data back to these communities. In addition, MAPSCorps works to promote positive youth development, community health through job creation, and economic vitality.

In its second year, MAPSCorps Niagara Falls will once again engage youth in asset mapping within the Niagara Falls city limits. Data collected can be used by community stakeholders, such as politicians, professors, journalists, doctors, community organizers and, most importantly, community members to understand what assets exist in their city and what assets need to be developed. This year, Field Coordinators and Youth Mappers will focus specifically on data collection to support food justice and food access initiatives in Niagara Falls.

MAPSCorps Niagara Falls is a collaboration among the following organizations:

 MAPSCorps

 Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, Inc.

 Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York

 Niagara County Employment and Training Worksource One/Summer Youth Employment Program

 AmeriCorps ABLE

 Indigo Project

 Field & Fork Network