Changes to the Summer Youth Employment Program

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) will undergo some changes for the summer of 2013. If you have participated in the past or are familiar with the program, make sure you read the following article because some of the changes will affect all program participants.

Application
Tree Trust is going from a paper application to an online application. The application will be available on our website, www.treetrust.org, on February 19, 2013. The online system will make it easier and quicker for participants to get their applications completed and in to us on time. It will also help ensure accuracy of entries into our system. If you don't have internet access or would prefer to complete a paper application, please email Allyson or call 952-767-3880 to have one mailed to you.

Hennepin County
Suburban Hennepin County participants will no longer be offered Individual Employment Experiences. The only jobs available in suburban Hennepin County will be crew member positions on the Youth Conservation Corps.

Dakota County
The program in Dakota County will be offered as in previous years with Individual Employment Experiences for participants who are 16-21 as well as the Youth Conservation Corps for ages 14-21.

Washington County
The program will remain the same in Washington County with only Youth Conservation Corps positions available.

Saint Paul
Tree Trust will not work in Saint Paul this year, so for participants of the Saint Paul Youth Job Corps, you will no longer see Tree Trust as an option for employment.

Minneapolis
If you live in Minneapolis, as in previous years you must apply through the STEP-UP program and your application must be received by STEP-UP by March 4, 2013.

This article only covers the changes that have been made to the program since last year. If you are unfamiliar with the program or need more information, visit our website, email info@treetrust.org, or call 952-767-3880 to learn more.

Youth Conservation Corps picnics

Tree Trust will recognize and honor participants from our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), which is a sub-program of the Summer Youth Employment Program, at five picnics in the metro area this week and next week. This summer, the program served more than 300 at-risk, special needs and low-income youth, ages 14-21, from the Twin Cities metro area.

Throughout the nine week program, participants have made improvements to local parks and recreation areas in Minneapolis and Saint Paul and in Hennepin, Washington and Dakota counties. The Youth Conservation Corps provides a summer employment experience to participating youth, and also helps participants to create lasting, positive changes in their communities and in their own lives.

Working from June to August, Youth Conservation Corps crews completed numerous improvement projects in approximately 25 Twin Cities parks and recreation areas, including the Midtown Greenway, Como Park, Westwood Hills Nature Center, French Regional Park, Square Lake Park, and North Valley Park. The picnics will be held to celebrate the accomplishments of these youth, including the presentation of Governor’s Awards to a number of youth who demonstrated outstanding leadership on their crews.

View photos of projects and participants on our Facebook page!

Summer Projects

Tree Trust's Summer Youth Employment Program is working in parks and recreation areas all over the metro. We have been out taking photos to document the progress of some of the projects. Have a look at some of the work that young people are doing in your neighborhood!

Father Hennepin Park 6.28.12

Father Hennepin Park 7.5.12

Crews at Father Hennepin Park in Minneapolis are building a tiered retaining wall along side a staircase that was build by Tree Trust crews last year.

Three Rivers French Park 6.20.12

Crews at Three Rivers French Park in Plymouth are doing a construction paver installation.

McMurray Fields 6.28.12

Crews at McMurray Fields in Saint Paul are building a retaining wall.

Midtown Greenway 6.28.12

Midtown Greenway 6.28.12

Crews along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis are building a retaining wall along the bike path.

North Valley Park 6.29.12

Crews at North Valley Park in Inver Grove Heights are building a 33-step timber staircase at the disc golf course.

Schmidt Lake Park 6.20.12

Schmidt Lake Park 6.20.12

Crews at Schmidt Lake Park in Plymouth are building a retaining wall at a playground.

The Summer Youth Employment program has youth crews working all over the metro on the Youth Conservation Corps. Keep an eye out and perhaps you'll see some of their work up close! We will continue to document their projects over the course of the 9-week program. See more photos on our Facebook page.

Weeding Wednesdays!

Do you ever use the Midtown Greenway? Do you love trees? Would you like to join us for Weeding Wednesday on the Midtown Greenway?

Tonight is our second Weeding Wednesday of the summer! This weekly event is where volunteers help maintain the health and beauty of the tree plantings along the Greenway bike trail in Minneapolis by pulling weeds that might otherwise compete with our tree friends. Receive instant gratification AND bragging rights in beautifying the most heavily used bike trail in the state!

If you aren't able to make it tonight, not to worry! Throughout the summer, on Wednesday nights, we will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at varying locations along the Greenway in Minneapolis. Gloves, snacks and water will be provided. So come out and enjoy these summer nights beautifying our trails with other Greenway users and tree lovers!

Tonight's event will be located just east of Hiawatha Avenue. Learn more and sign up here.

See you out on the Greenway!

YouthBuild Graduation

Eighteen members of  Tree Trust’s YouthBuild program graduated Thursday, May 31 after spending nine months furthering their education  and learning the basics of the construction trade. Many participants graduated with honors.

The YouthBuild program provides hands-on construction training to economically disadvantaged students (age 17-21) who are at risk of dropping out of school. Participants of the program attend alternative high schools while working in order to complete their high school diploma or GED.

2012 YouthBuild graduates

Construction skills learned by YouthBuilders include demolition; framing; painting; repairing foundations, garages and roofs; and installing insulation, windows, doors and cabinets. Participants also complete OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety training. 

In addition to continuing their education and learning construction skills, graduates developed leadership skills and participated in their communities.

Many graduates are going on to further education or employment following their graduation. Some graduates will participate in this summer's advanced crew, which will be a crew of five participants. They begin work on June 18. Partcipants will build on the knowledge and skills they already have by learning more advanced techniques and completing more difficult projects.