Launching the 2010 Youth Conservation Corps

June 14, 2010 marked the official start of Tree Trust's Youth Conservation Corps, an employment training program that puts youth to work for nine weeks, June through August. We're proud to say that this summer we'll provide paid jobs and training to approximately 900 young people, many of whom may have otherwise spent the summer on the couch or at their computer desk (or worse).

First jobs can be a major challenge. When we asked you about your first job (through a survey in our last newsletter), the only aspects everyone reported liking or loving were location and co-workers. Less popular aspects? Pay (too low!), boss, and rules.  Rules can certainly be tricky, especially when you don't know what to expect.

Luckily, we've designed our Youth Conservation Corps program to provide a supportive but realistic work environment that allows for second chances and encourages growth.  By the end of the summer, the job trainees not only know what it means to be good workers, but they also know how to show their employer that they are good workers. Like by coming in on time, completing tasks in an efficient way, helping their co-workers, working well as a team, and showing initiative.

The youth aren't the only ones who benefit from the program; the entire community benefits. Our public spaces get sturdy new retaining walls. Our parks get safer access up and down hillsides in the form of well-made, attractive staircases. Our community-serving organizations, like schools and libraries, get an extra set of hands for data entry and filing. (Those are a just a couple of examples of the dozens and dozens of projects our job trainees will complete this summer.) And we community members get to enjoy all these great amenities and services.