American YouthWorks Environmental Corps is currently accepting applications for Crew Leaders and Crew Members. Learn more!
On September 29, 2010, In American YouthWorks, By svanhorn
On September 17, 2010, In American YouthWorks, By admin
The Texas Community Forestry Awards Program chose American YouthWorks to receive the 2010 Texas Community Forestry Award of Merit. The award was given to American YouthWorks Environmental Corps Program for their improvements to Bull Creek District Park in Austin, Texas. The Texas Community Forestry Awards Program is sponsored by the Texas Forest Service and the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. The annual award recognizes those who have a role in building stronger communities by planting, maintaining or protecting trees. Each award winner will receive a numbered, remarked and framed, limited-edition print of a painting specially commissioned for the program. This year’s award painting will be of the National Champion Rio Grande Cottonwood in Fort Davis, Texas.
Before Restoration. No vegetation and highly compacted soil.
During Restoration. Erosion control devices in place, planting started.
Project complete. Planted vegetation is filling out the planted area.
The Bull Creek Restoration Project was a partnership with the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department and American YouthWorks Environmental Corps Program and was completed at Bull Creek District Park. Environmental Corps members installed erosion control devices to protect the roots of several large Live Oak trees and to prevent sediment from entering Bull Creek. They also reduced the compaction of the soil under the Live Oak trees. Next they planted native vegetation that had been unable to survive in the highly compacted soil.
Bull Creek District Park is now much more attractive to visitors and hospitable to wildlife and the health of the Live Oak trees is improving. In addition, the installation of erosion control measures and planting of native vegetation contributes to improved water quality in Bull Creek.
The award will be presented to Paul Stuffel, Field Coordinator for Environmental Corps, at the 31st Annual Texas Tree Conference.
Please see our webpage for more information about Environmental Corps.
On September 13, 2010, In American YouthWorks, By Rachel Matvy
On September 8, 2010, In General News, Press Releases, By mmiller
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American YouthWorks Demonstrates How They Turn At-Risk Youth to At-Promise Through Education, Service and Conservation
AUSTIN, TX – September 15, 2010 – American YouthWorks will showcase its green job and service corps programs at an Open House event on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at American YouthWorks, 1901 E. Ben White Blvd. Congressman Lloyd Doggett will make a special visit to the nonprofit to recognize the strides they have made toward filling the need for jobs in the emerging green economy by providing at-risk youth in the Austin area with green job skills.
The event will feature an address from Congressman Doggett regarding green jobs as well as hands-on displays and demonstrations from members in each of American YouthWorks’ green job training programs that will demonstrate the skills acquired through participation in the programs. Mayor Lee Leffingwell will read from a proclamation acknowledging the thirty years American YouthWorks has offered green jobs programs. The Economic Development Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will be acknowledged for their contribution toward the changes made to American YouthWorks’ facility as part of a $1.2 million grant from EDA to transform the building into a LEED-certified green building and learning model for students. Other dignitaries, local partners and funders will also be on hand for the event.
“American YouthWorks is moving in the right direction, not only by creating a well educated ‘green collar’ workforce, but also by generating that workforce from the communities disadvantaged and high-potential youth. This organization has set a fine example I can only hope others across our great country will follow,” said Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
Congressman Doggett will present an American Flag that was flown over the US Capitol to American YouthWorks founder, Richard Halpin, in honor of his 30 years of service for young Texans. After the Flag raising, Congressman Doggett will preside over the swearing in ceremony of new AmeriCorps members enrolled in American YouthWorks programs.
The American YouthWorks facility located in South Austin houses the green job training programs along with their Service Learning Academy that provides an opportunity for disadvantaged youth in the Austin area to combine their high school education with real life experience through service and green job training in environmental conservation. The comprehensive model of American YouthWorks is a one-stop human services organization providing job skills, education, life services for young people ages 16 to 28 and their children.
“Our young people not only learn to work hard, reach their educational goals and gain job skills that will serve them lifelong, but they also learn the tremendous value of volunteerism and doing their part to improve the environment and the lives of others in need,” said new CEO of American YouthWorks, Parc Smith.
