Environmental Corps | American Youthworks

$100,000 granted to American YouthWorks to rebuild Bastrop State Park

On January 4, 2012, In American YouthWorks, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps, General News, Press Releases, By Rachel Matvy

On December 16, 2011, The Austin Community Foundation (ACF) announced it will grant $100,574 from the Central Texas Wildfire Fund (CTWF) to American YouthWorks (AYW) to aid in debris clean-up and economic recovery following the Central Texas wildfires. AYW’s grant was one of ten awarded since the creation of the CTWF on September 5, 2011, and will help fund AYW’s Environmental Corps (E-Corps) and Casa Verde Builders (CVB) service Corps programs while, under the direction of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), they work to fully re-open Bastrop State Park. AYW will clear hazardous debris, repair trails and boundary fences, rebuild damaged Park infrastructure, restore the native habitat and prevent invasive species from spreading, install protection measures to prevent erosion and recruit additional volunteers to work in the Park. According to TPWD, Bastrop State Park’s 170,000 annual visitors generate more than $2 million in revenue for Bastrop County each year.

The CTWF, which is administered by the ACF, and was created in response to the devastating wildfires that struck Central Texas over Labor Day weekend, 2011. The CTWF supports the immediate and long-term efforts of nonprofit organizations working “on the ground” in those areas hardest hit. The CTWF gives grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are helping individuals, families, businesses and the community recover, rebuild and return to the quality of life that existed before the fires began. Other grants from the CTWF include money for volunteer leadership, family support, rebuilding homes and restoring safety.

“Bastrop State Park is a vital economic and natural resource. The near destruction of one of Texas’ gems is devastating, but E-Corps and CVB members are honored that they can give back to their community by helping to rebuild it,” said Parc Smith, CEO of AYW.

Youth and young adult service Corps members have been providing relief to Central Texans affected by the fire since September of 2011. These volunteers are members of AmeriCorps or YouthBuild, which are both national, community service programs that are hosted locally by AYW. Participants include young adult volunteers from all over the country as well as students attending AYW’s charter high school. As part of previous recovery efforts, AYW worked with Bastrop County, FEMA, and local organizations and individuals to create the Volunteer Reception Center, which provided a central location for volunteers to get involved. They have also been working for several weeks in Bastrop State Park to help get the Park back to full operation.

In addition, to their experience in Bastrop, crews from AYW also assisted southeast Missourians following the devastating tornados earlier this year and in 2005 and 2006, they provided hurricane relief in New Orleans and East Texas. Service Corps members at AYW are gaining valuable skills that prepare them to step into leadership roles, handle difficult situations, operate safely and work hard while giving back to their community!

###

About American Youth Works

AYW is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that integrates at-risk youth and AmeriCorps members to provide education, service and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school, the Service Learning Academy, a GED program and green jobs and service corps programs, Casa Verde Builders, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps, and Green Energy Corps. AYW also offers on-site life services to help students overcome obstacles to their education, including a parent and child development center, academic coaching and counseling. For more than thirty years, AYW has assisted thousands of local, at-risk youth and adult graduates from around the country in transforming their lives and gaining job skills through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.

About Environmental Corps

E-Corps is a green jobs training and service program that allows at-risk youth and adult volunteers to build and restore the natural environment through parks and trails projects, forestry, and habitat restoration. E-Corps integrates young adults from all over the United States with local youth to create a blended, transformative, cultural experience for all participants.

About Casa Verde Builders

CVB is a green jobs training and service program that teaches youth, ages 17-24, cutting-edge, green construction techniques. Participants build energy-efficient, affordable homes in East Austin for first time homebuyers and learn the construction process from foundation to finish. This award-winning program is proven to produce higher academic performance and consistent attendance for its participants and creates a foundation for youth to pursue quality higher education and job placement. In partnership with the US Department of Labor and YouthBuild USA, CVB is a nationally-recognized leader in combining green building with affordable housing.

Contact Rachel Matvy with questions, 512-744-1904.

Tagged with: ACF • American YouthWorks • at-risk youth • Austin Community Foundation • AYW • Bastrop • Casa Verde Builders • central texas • Central Texas Wildfire Fund • CTWF • CVB • donate • E-Corps • Environmental Corps • local events • Media Advisory • recovery • relief • service • volunteering • wild fire • wild fire recovery • wildfire • wildfire recovery

Bastrop Volunteer Reception Center to aid in wildfire recovery efforts

On September 28, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps, Press Releases, Volunteering, By Rachel Matvy

Bastrop Volunteer Reception Center to Aid Volunteers, Organizations, and Homeowners in Wildfire Relief

For immediate release

American YouthWorks sends AmeriCorps members to Bastrop County to Aid in Wildfire Relief Efforts

September 28, 2011 — BASTROP, Texas – The Bastrop Calvary Baptist Church is serving as a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) for those interested in providing assistance to the Bastrop County fire relief effort.

Local AmeriCorps members participating in American YouthWorks’ (AYW) Environmental Corps (E-Corps) and Casa Verde Builders (CVB), along with AmeriCorps members from Washington State, were called upon to establish the center that gives volunteers the opportunity to learn about, and sign up for volunteer opportunities throughout Bastrop County. Partnering with groups and organizations working to provide disaster assistance, the center provides the public a central location for getting involved. Upon registration, volunteers will be matched with opportunities based on interest and availability.

Individuals and groups interested in volunteering should call the VRC at (512) 332-2607 or visit 3001 Loop 150 E. Monday – Saturday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those interested can also register online at http://www.bastroprelief.org/volunteer.

In addition, homeowners in need of recovery assistance can stop in the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at 1602 Hill Street, Bastrop between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, to fill out a homeowner intake form and be provided with volunteer support through affiliated agencies.

Chelsea Bodamer, Outreach Coordinator for AYW’s E-Corps program said, “We are excited to be a part of the relief effort here in Bastrop. We are moved by the strength of the community and organizations of all different backgrounds coming together for a common goal.”

In order for Bastrop County to continue to provide the most comprehensive volunteer support services, Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fischer requests that all volunteer agencies register with the VRC. Volunteer hours, collectively, will help to offset the cost of recovery to the County and its residents. Agencies should call, visit, or send an e-mail to the VRC at bastropvrc@gmail.com.

For additional information please visit www.co.bastrop.tx.us/bcdisaster/ or www.bastroprelief.org or dial 211.

###

About American Youth Works

AYW is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that integrates at-risk youth and AmeriCorps members to provide education, service and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school, the Service Learning Academy, a GED program and green jobs and service corps programs, Casa Verde Builders, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps, and Green Energy Corps. AYW also offers on-site life services to help students overcome obstacles to their education, including a parent and child development center, academic coaching and counseling. For more than thirty years, AYW has assisted thousands of local, at-risk youth and adult graduates from around the country in transforming their lives and gaining job skills through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.

About Environmental Corps

E-Corps is a green jobs training and service program that allows at-risk youth and adult graduates to build and restore the natural environment through parks and trails projects, forestry, and habitat restoration. It is a program of AmeriCorps that integrates young adults from all over the United States with local youth to create a blended, transformative, cultural experience for all participants. In the spring of 2011, Enviromental Corps members participated in disaster relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri and in 2005 and 2006 they provided Hurricane relief in both New Orleans and East Texas.

About Case Verde Builders

Casa Verde Builders, also a program of American YouthWorks, is a green jobs training service program teaching youth ages 17-24 cutting-edge, green construction techniques. Participants build energy-efficient, affordable homes in East Austin for first time homebuyers and learn the construction process from foundation to finish. This award-winning program is proven to produce higher academic performance and consistent attendance for its participants and creates a foundation for youth to pursue quality higher education and jobs placement. In partnership with the US Department of Labor and YouthBuild USA, CVB is a nationally-recognized leader in combining green building with affordable housing.

About Washington Conservation Corps

The Washington Conservation Corps is an AmeriCorps program based in Washington State. Washington Conservation Corps crews perform environmental work for a variety of partners throughout the state. Partners include the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Washington State Parks, county parks, nonprofits, and private landowners. Washington Conservation Corps has proven to be a vital resource for emergency response. WCC Crews have been deployed to fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados and oil spills throughout the country.

Tagged with: Bastrop • central texas • disaster • Media Advisory • recovery • relief • service • volunteering • wild fire • wild fire recovery • wildfire • wildfire recovery

Environmental Corps members exceeding expectations in Missouri

On June 8, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Environmental Corps, General News, Volunteering, By Rachel Matvy

Look closely to see our E-Corps member standing next to the tree with a big chainsaw.

According to FEMA, AmeriCorps teams have directly assisted 128 Missouri households and organized volunteers to assist 136 more to clear their properties of storm debris. Five of our E-Corps members are in Joplin and five in another town about 5 miles away, Duquesne. They are working in leadership positions where they are managing everything from distribution at FEMA supply warehouses, to volunteer teams of up to 100 individuals, to media. The word is that they are a valuable asset to the effort because of their skills and their hard work. American YouthWorks staff are in touch with the members and they are in good spirits! Stay tuned for more photos and hopefully some videos.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department awards AYW $350,000

On June 1, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Environmental Corps, General News, Service Learning Academy, By Rachel Matvy

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPW Commission) approved $3,318,450 million to fund 21 National Recreational Trail Grant projects in communities across the state. The commission also awarded an additional $485,000 in re-allocated trail funds to underwrite trail improvements in seven state parks and three local communities. $350,000 of this state appropriation of federal funds will support American YouthWorks’ travelling Trails Across Texas (TAT) Environmental Corps (E-Corps) crew. The action by TPW Commission will also fund many projects for local municipalities throughout the state that E-Corps will work to contract with, including development of nature trails in the Montopolis neighborhood in Austin. The seven state parks that will receive part of the recreational trails funding are Cooper Lake, Eisenhower, Huntsville, Lake Brownwood, Lake Corpus Christi, McKinney Falls and Tyler. The money will go toward renovating existing trails, making trails more accessible, and helping with layout, design and other improvements.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the National Recreational Trails Fund comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by the sale of gasoline for use in off-road recreational vehicles such as dirt bikes and All-Terrain Vehicles. Money from the trail fund goes toward the creation and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized recreational trails. The Federal Highway Administration manages the fund and distributes portions of it to states based on a formula that takes into account the state’s population and fuel sales for off-road vehicles. Nationwide, the program was appropriated $95 million for the current fiscal year.

The TAT crew consists of 18-20 young adults that will spend six months to one year building trails while camping in state parks across Texas. The TAT crew members are considered “roving trails experts” who actually help train the TPWD staff on the technical trail building skills they learn under AYW staff. This results in Texas State Parks staff and volunteer groups with intensive training in trail building and maintenance and therefore a safer and more sustainable trail system for Texas State Parks. In addition, after completion of their six months to one year term, these 20 young adults will have gained exposure to career pathways through interacting with industry professionals and developed the problem solving and technical skills they need to become future leaders in conservation that can make a significant impact in their community.

American YouthWorks’ Environmental Corps will provide disaster relief to Joplin, MO

On May 27, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Environmental Corps, General News, Press Releases, By Rachel Matvy

Young adult volunteers will travel to Joplin, MO to provide disaster relief to tornado victims

Austin, TX– May 27, 2011 – On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, eight, American YouthWorks’ (AYW) Environmental Corps (E-Corps) members will head out for a three week disaster relief mission to Joplin, Missouri. Through an agreement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), E-Corps will provide a self-sustaining crew of young adult volunteers, trained in chainsaw operation and safety, to support state and local authorities in response to the Missouri tornadoes, severe storms and flooding.

E-Corps is a fifteen year old AmeriCorps program that empowers future leaders by engaging them in service to their community though habitat restoration and trail construction projects and disaster relief services, while they are gaining job skills and earning an education award that can be used for college or technical training. Due to its national reputation of training safe and skilled sawyers and previous experience in New Orleans and East Texas aiding Hurricane recovery efforts, the CNCS asked E-Corps to again partner with FEMA to provide similar aid to Missourians. When deployed to New Orleans in 2005, crew members cleared an entire park of downed trees and debris, assisted neighbors with clean-up and started a garden to uplift community spirits. E-Corps crews are completely self-sustaining when they travel, they: camp in the area, supply their own tools and bring and cook their own meals.

E-Corps will arrive in Joplin on Tuesday evening to set up camp and will begin assisting local authorities Wednesday morning. E-Corps was specifically called upon because of their diverse experience with tree removal, brush clearing, creek clean-ups, erosion control techniques, stream-bank restoration and volunteer coordination and reputation for providing quality work. The crew may provide support in any of the following capacities: critical clean up and removal of storm debris, emergency housing repair, flood relief, registering and coordinating volunteers, assisting the United Way with volunteer disaster operations, initiating casework to enable long term recovery and providing support for special needs.

“It takes a special individual and a prepared state of mind to volunteer to go into a disaster area. We have high standards for our E- Corps members’ work ethic and provide intensive technical and safety training to prepare our members for situations where they may be called on to provide leadership and service to others, especially under physically and mentally demanding circumstances such as this disaster in Joplin. Our E-Corps members work hard daily, giving their sweat in service to others and they are eager to put their strengths to work for the people of Missouri,” said Parc Smith, CEO of AYW.

AYW highlighted in historic preservation case study

On May 2, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Environmental Corps, General News, By Rachel Matvy

Historic Preservation Case Studies

Americorps and YouthBuild funding cuts have impacts on service organizations

On March 8, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Casa Verde Builders, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps, General News, Green Energy Corps, By Rachel Matvy

A Congressional vote to reduce the federal budget could threaten American YouthWorks as well as many other service oriented nonprofit organizations. The House of Representatives passed a bill that would eliminate funding for YouthBuild and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), both of which provide funding for AmeriCorps and thousands of grants to nonprofits that deliver essential community services. The bill is under consideration in the Senate.

American YouthWorks receives funding from both CNCS and YouthBuild for its Casa Verde Builders, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps and Green Energy Corps. These programs allow students and graduates to participate in community service, gain job skills and earn money for college while serving low income Austinites by building energy efficient homes, refurbishing computers and performing weatherization measures and by improving public lands through trail building and maintenance, habitat restoration for endangered species and invasive species removal.

Here are a few things that our students and Corps members have accomplished in 2010 alone:

Casa Verde Builders program participants built two houses, repaired eight homes and 33 participants graduated.
Computer Corps saved 59 computers from landfills by refurbishing them and donating them to nonprofits and low income Austin residents.
Environmental Corps completed the restoration and construction of 28 miles of trails, restored 337 acres of native habitat and performed $61,000 worth of in-kind work.
Green Energy Corps members made improvements to 200 homes for low income families; including weatherization, repairs and accessibility projects.

Please help us continue to serve our community.

Tagged with: careers • green jobs • service

Barton Creek Greenbelt to get some much needed attention

On February 24, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Environmental Corps, By Rachel Matvy

The Barton Creek Greenbelt (Greenbelt) is one of the most popular parks in Austin and has thousands of visitors each week. It is listed as a must see on numerous travel and outdoor websites and featured in Austin 360, The Lonely Planet and Fodor’s. People come from all around the world to enjoy the Greenbelt.

Despite all the good press the Greenbelt receives, it does have some issues that are a challenge for its staff of two to address. Because of the size of the Greenbelt, the length of the trails that run through it (eight miles) and the thousands of weekly visitors, maintenance is difficult. Austin has only one Parks and Recreation Department employee for every 150 acres of parkland, well below the national average of one for every 25 acres. Often, these two employees are only able to address the immediate needs of the Greenbelt, such as picking up trash left by visitors or carried downstream from flooding and cleaning up transient camps. Longer term and larger improvements, such as invasive species removal, improving trail surfaces, repairing flood damage and educating the public on stewardship present a challenge.

During 2011, the Greenbelt and Park staff will get some much needed help from AWY’s Environmental Corps (E-Corps). Through a major grant from Impact Austin as well as funding from the Hill Country Conservancy and other donors, the Austin Parks Foundation was able to contract with E-Corps to provide a crew of five who will be dedicated completely to maintenance and improvement of the Greenbelt. The goals of the Barton Creek Greenbelt Crew will be to repair the eight miles of trail, restore the ecological balance through invasive species removal and erosion and flood damage repair, engage over 800 volunteers at four large volunteer events in partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation and Hill Country Conservancy, catalog major improvements needed in every area of the park, create an ongoing maintenance plan and distribute information on appropriate park stewardship.

You can help continue efforts to protect and preserve the Greenbelt, as well as other valuable public lands, by making a donation to American YouthWorks or by volunteering with us.

.

Youth and Volunteers Clean Greenbelt and Remove Invasive Species to Honor Dr. King

On January 5, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps, General News, Press Releases, Special Events, Volunteering, By Rachel Matvy

American YouthWorks, Keep Austin Beautiful and Montopolis Tributary Trail Association partner to improve the Montopolis Greenbelt.

Austin, TX– On January 15, young people from American YouthWorks’ (AYW) Environmental Corps, Casa Verde Builders (CVB) and staff will engage volunteers in community service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Partnering with Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB) and the Montopolis Tributary Trail Association, corps members and community volunteers will remove invasive species, seed wildflowers and pick up trash on the Montopolis Greenbelt.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

8:30 am-9:00 am Volunteer sign in and breakfast

9:00 am-10:00 am “Reflecting on the Dream”

Huston-Tilloston University

Davage-Durden Union Building

900 Chicon Street.

10:00 am-3:00 pm Montopolis Greenbelt Clean up and Invasive Species Removal

Meet at the Montopolis Practice Fields

901 Vasquez St.

Volunteers can sign up at www.handsoncentraltexas.org. Wear long pants, bring water and be prepared to get dirty. If you have questions, call Rachel Matvy, 744-1904. The service project will take place next door to Burdett Prairie Cemetery, a historic site that AYWs’ CVB program has already performed several service days to restore. Currently, there are just a few, short trails in the Montopolis neighborhood. The Montopolis Tributary Trail Network will be constructed in the Montopolis Greenbelt to increase connectivity to nearby bikeways and parks and provide more recreational space. This service project is one of the first steps. Please join us!

Tagged with: Martin Luther King • Media Advisory • MLK • service • volunteering

Congratulations E-Corps Summer Crew Graduates!

On August 23, 2010, In Environmental Corps, General News, Service Learning Academy, By mmiller

E-Corps summer crews celebrate Graduation with a service project and fishing at Bastrop State Park.

E-Corps members at Mission San Juan in San Antonio.

Congratulations to our Environmental Corps Summer Youth Crew who have worked through two and a half months of hot weather during their summer break from our Charter High School. They constructed an awesome rock masonry structure at Barton Hills Elementary, reopened a 300 year old Spanish Irrigation channel in San Antonio, along with many other erosion control, invasive species, and trail projects. Many members of the crew experienced their first time camping, fishing and even using a drill during their summer with E-Corps. They learned to set up a tent, cook outside and cast a fishing pole. The members also received High School credits for being on the crew and participating in several educational sessions throughout their term. They raced in teams to identify the native and invasive tree species of Austin and learned how many of the plants around us are used in everyday materials. They learned about the carrying capacity of an ecosystem and how to identify soil types by adding water to it. The members impressed us with their enthusiasm, work ethic, and mastery of skill and we know they will continue these values throughout their lives. Happy Graduation!

Click here to see more amazing photos of E-Corps projects around the state.