Community Engineering Corps celebrates 10 years of improving lives

Over the past 10 years, more than 55,000 people in underserved communities have benefited from 87 infrastructure improvement projects completed by volunteers with Community Engineering Corps, a collaborative program founded by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA).

Since 2014, Community Engineering Corps has brought together volunteer engineers and other professionals to design solutions for sanitation, water supply, agriculture, structural, stormwater, roadway, site development and energy. These volunteer services also have helped communities access essential funding and foster sustainable solutions.

Drawing on its founding organizations’ memberships, Community Engineering Corps leverages a network of more than 200,000 professionals and students, including many AWWA members. This vast network fuels the program’s success. (Pictured right, Community Engineering Corps volunteers from Philadelphia Pro Chapter and Temple Chapter with finished compost turbines designed for high school.)

“I’ve been involved with the Community Engineering Corps since 2013, starting as a student member at Temple University,” said Torin Johnson, assistant project manager with Gannett Fleming. “Our chapter began as a community volunteer group focused on local gardens. When the Community Engineering Corps was founded, we partnered with them on a shed and irrigation system design – one of their first official projects.”

Commitment to community collaboration

Community Engineering Corps relies on community collaboration alongside its volunteer expertise. By listening to and working closely with communities, the program ensures its projects address the most urgent infrastructure challenges.

“One of our current projects is working with a local high school community garden in South Philadelphia,” said Johnson. “We designed a greenhouse for year-round gardening and more efficient compost tumblers to optimize the garden and boost sustainability. Even during the pandemic, we completed the project, improving sustainability and student engagement with organic food production.”

The organization’s successful project completion benefits both communities and the participants themselves. The experience broadens perspectives, fosters leadership skills and provides mentorship opportunities.

“What I really appreciate about Community Engineering Corps is that the program helped me move out of my comfort zone within my own city,” said Johnson. “It’s a blessing to be able to engage with people in real situations that can impact their community.”

“Volunteering has improved my project management skills, especially in leading diverse teams,” he added. “We also mentor local student chapters, helping them gain real-world engineering experience.”

As Community Engineering Corps enters its second decade, the need for equitable infrastructure solutions remains urgent. The program’s 67 active projects illustrate the ongoing challenges faced by underserved communities across the United States.

“There are still many communities that would benefit from a Community Engineering Corps partnership,” Johnson said. “Continued growth will enable even more underserved areas to access the life-changing benefits of improved infrastructure.”

To learn more about Community Engineering Corps or to volunteer, visit communityengineeringcorps.org.