Service Learning Academy | American Youthworks

Art Corps volunteers with local sculptor

On October 5, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Charter School, General News, Service Learning Academy, Special Events, Volunteering, By Rachel Matvy

This Friday, Art Corps will volunteer to help with a larger than life, reclaimed materials sculpture that is part of a community wide volunteer effort. The vision for this piece came from George Sabra, an internationally recognized, Austin-based sculptor who works exclusively with discarded materials, has had works displayed in the Vatican and was featured in National Geographic Magazine. Art Corps will have the opportunity to work with this artist on the 21 foot high sculpture made from 25,000-30,000 plastic caps, which will be displayed outside at City Hall during Austin’s Green City Festival.

The Art Corps program at American YouthWorks seeks to teach young people the “art of living” by inspiring them to be good stewards of the world around them. This project is a perfect learning opportunity for Art Corps members as they will participate in creating a sculpture designed to increase awareness of the natural environment and inspire people to take action. In addition, by working with a professional artist who started with a vision, created a plan and saw the plan through to fruition, they will gain a greater understanding the process of realizing their own visions of getting a high school diploma, planning for college or getting that perfect, high wage job.

The sculpture will be unveiled at 2:00 PM during the Austin Green City Festival on October 23^rd. Many groups are helping with the volunteer effort. You can get involved by coming to the unveiling, helping the artist prepare the caps or collecting plastic caps from peanut butter jars, Gatorade drinks, jelly jars, mayonnaise jars, etc. For more information, see the website for the sculpture.

Tagged with: art • art class • art in public places • austin • austin art • austin events • Austin Green Fest • Austin Green Festival • george sabra • green fest • local art • local events • sculpture • service • volunteering

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.

Texas Education Agency Approves American YouthWorks’ move to Service-Learning Education Model

On May 31, 2011, In American YouthWorks, Charter School, General News, Parent Notice, Press Releases, Service Learning Academy, By Rachel Matvy

On May 24, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved AYW’s charter amendment to merge its two campuses, which were following separate models of education, to one campus called the Service Learning Academy (Academy) that will focus solely on teaching high school academics through service-learning. Starting in the fall of 2011, each student who attends AYW will earn their elective credits by participating in a Corps program where they will complete service-learning projects that benefit the community such as building energy efficient homes and refurbishing computers for low income Austinites, restoring habitat for endangered species or testing for water quality. In addition, these students will get exposure to career pathways by gaining job skills and by interacting with industry professionals.

AYW has always practiced project-based learning as a way students can engage more fully in their classes and gain job skills through hands-on experience. About 15 years ago, AYW began to incorporate service-learning practices in order to further enhance the students’ educational experience by giving them an opportunity to address authentic community needs. The Academy officially started two years ago as a pilot program. After comparing test scores, attendance rates and dropout rates between students in the Academy and the traditional campus, AYW staff decided they could better serve at-risk youth by merging the two campuses and focusing solely on the model that was getting superior results.

Based on the academic indicators of the TEA, Academy students have shown greater improvements in academics and participation. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) TAKS scores for English Language Arts of Academy students rose from 59% passing in 2008 to 87% in 2010 and during the same time period, NCLB TAKS Mathematics scores rose 23%. Since the inception of the Academy, the attendance rates for its students have increased nearly 20% and the dropout rates have decreased.

In addition to considering test scores, AYW staff also looked at a study performed by, RH2, an independent research group, which compared AYW’s student population to Austin Independent School District (AISD) and statewide populations and studied the effect of the Academy on academics and employment. The study found that almost 100% of AYW students meet the state criteria for being “at risk” of dropping out of school compared to roughly half of the students in AISD and statewide. In addition, the study found AYW’s Academy motivates students, in part, by providing opportunities for them to bond in small groups and make contributions to their community. The study went on to say, “AYW’s service-learning programs tend to have more of a practical vocational orientation to prepare students for their own futures as well as to provide services to the community.”

On May 27, AYW hosted an Enrollment Picnic. Parents and current or potential students had the opportunity to learn about participating in a Corps program, solve math problems for prizes and enjoy lunch on the back lawn at AYW.

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.

American YouthWorks Receives Support from REI for Environmental Corps and Service Learning Academy

On August 19, 2010, In Environmental Corps, General News, Service Learning Academy, By mmiller

American YouthWorks CEO Parc Smith, and REI Store Managers Joan Chapman, John Simmons, and Todd Callaway.

American YouthWorks recently received a $10,000 grant from REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national outdoor retail co-op committed to connecting people with nature, to support American YouthWorks’ Environmental Corps and Service Learning Academy.

A reception honoring American YouthWorks and the other five grant recipients took place on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the LCRA Redbud Center at 3601 Lake Austin Blvd. Fellow grant recipients including Colorado River Foundation, Texas Bicycle Coalition, Hill Country Conservancy, Austin Parks Foundation, and Austin Ridge Riders each presented their plans for the various ways they will use the grant money from REI to make outdoor activities welcoming and accessible to all people and promote stewardship of the outdoors.

Click here to see more photos from the REI Grant Reception.

AYW E-Corps members and staff were on hand to accept the award.

American YouthWorks’ funds from REI will be used to provide program participants with proper safety equipment and educational materials, such as work boots and GPS systems, to help teach students critical skills for future jobs in the emerging green economy while simultaneously helping them to serve their communities and work toward an education.

“With great community partners like REI providing support to American YouthWorks, together we are able to train urban youth for careers in conservation and expose them to the great outdoors while also improving our parks’ infrastructure and habitat and in Austin, Travis County and across the State of Texas,” said Parc Smith, CEO of American YouthWorks.

American YouthWorks’ Service Learning Academy 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 Environmental Corps program focuses on four objectives including trail building, habitat restoration, public land improvement, and community service.

REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. The grant is the result of a nomination made by the Austin REI store.
About Environmental

AYW Class of 2009-2010 Graduation!

On June 30, 2010, In Charter School, General News, Parent Notice, Service Learning Academy, By devintern

On June 12, 2010, American YouthWorks held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2009-2010 at the LBJ Auditorium. AYW Graduation is always a momentous occasion, and this year was no different. The event celebrated Charter School graduates, GED recipients, and diploma recipients, listed below:

American YouthWorks
Charter School

Marlene Amaya
Liliana Colin
John Deluna
Richard Dublin
Kerri Douglass*^ (Honor Graduate Scholarship Recipient)
Cynthia Echavarria
Charlie Engebretson*
Mario Espino
Nicole Fernandes*
Anna French
Marcelina Galindo
Erick Gomez
Lorenzo Humphries
Katalina Jimenez
Andrew Johnson
Ivanna Johnson
Christian Linker
Jose Martin Lugo
Sebastian Mason
Julieta Moncada
Jessica Nay*
Daniel Quintanilla
Rachel Ramirez
Deamon Robinson
Nicholas Ruiz
Tim Rutledge
Gerardo Salinas
Ashley Samilpa
Kevin Schoen
Joe Torres
Jennifer Tolico
Damaris Viera
Claudia Villareal* (Richard Halpin Scholarship Recipient)
George Villela^
Kassandra Zundt

Service Learning Academy
GED Recipients

Isa Arizola
Ashley Burkes^
Jennifer Canales
Mark Freeman
Charles Gadison^
Nallely Garcia
Mariah Garza^
Ian Linke^
San Martin Maldonaldo
Gabric Miller^
Renee Neal
Adam Pantoja
Ashley Perez
Spencer Riojas^
Zachary Vasquez^
Georgia Warren

Diploma Recipients

Diana Bravo^ (Joe Jerkins Scholarship Recipient)
Jennifer Burnell^
Alejandro Bustos*^ (Honor Graduate Scholarship Recipient)
Ateshia Flint*^
Maria Garcia
Paloma Hernandez*^
Jenny Rodriquez^
Morris Williams*^
Kandice Wilson

* Denotes Top 10% of Class
^ Denotes Service Corps Member

A special congratulations to scholarship recipients Kerri Douglass, Claudia Villareal, Diana Bravo, and Alejandro Bustos. AYW would also like to thank the Invocation Pastor N. Jordan Mkwanazi and Keynote Speaker, The Honorable Raul Gonzales for their participation.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and spporting our graduates! They worked hard and deserve to celebrate this great achievement! To see more pictres, visit our Facebook album.

Computer Corps Visits Whole Foods Mentors

On March 9, 2010, In Computer Corps, General News, Service Learning Academy, By mmiller

On Tuesday February 16^th, ten Computer Corps (C-Corps) members spent the day with the Whole Foods IT Department. The members were paired up with Whole Foods IT Team Members in a Job Shadowing experience to learn more about the corporation, the career field, and themselves. Below is one member’s description of the event.

We viewed a highly planned presentation then C-Corps members were paired up in teams with mentors from Whole Foods. The store is connected to the corporate headquarters. We took a tour of the facility, the grocery store and the corporate offices. We saw the basic systems of a major company, how they function on a daily basis, and the opportunities for working for this company. During our tour we discovered that the departments are actually like small businesses and they manage their own budgets and buy their own supplies. After our tour, we had a lunch of assorted Whole Foods goods. It was delicious, and then we took a tour of our mentors work stations.

After that we went to the server room. Servers are basically huge computers which produce a lot of heat and they need to be kept cool in climate-controlled areas. The cooling systems and back up power systems keep them from overheating and losing important data. In addition, we viewed the server repair room.

Our mentors showed us what the corporate world has to offer us and the importance of graduating from high school and moving along to a higher education. We were there to see how information technology (IT) Staff perform their daily duties and work tasks.

This was an eye opening experience and we had a choice to attend this event. The choice to attend opportunities like this is yours. – Elais Laurila, C-Corps Member

AYW Member Videos on YouTube!

On February 26, 2010, In Casa Verde Builders, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps, General News, Service Learning Academy, By mmiller

Computer Corps has partnered with other AYW AmeriCorps members to record, edit and produce videos about the exciting events and activities taking place at AYW! The first two member produced videos include a presentation on integrated learning techniques with members and staff interviews and highlights from this year’s MLK Service Day with Foundation Communities and Tree Folks.

Check out the the American YouthWorks YouTube Channel and subscribe for regular updates as C-Corps members continue to document more happenings around AYW.

MLK Service Day

On February 1, 2010, In Computer Corps, General News, Service Learning Academy, By mmiller

Jenny Rodriguez plants a tree at MLK Service Day

Americorps members, Service Learning Academy students, and staff participated in the MLK service day January 16^th beginning at Huston-Tillotson University; hosted by Hands on Central Texas. We listened to the main speaker, Dr. Richard Reddick, and other amazing speakers, ate free breakfast tacos, and saw a performance by Cipher, a group founded by Jeff Da’shade Johnson. Cipher is a street project for outreach to youth in our community. Also, we heard a speech from a 4^th grader named Lamar, a little boy with a big heart. I must say he was an amazing speaker; his speech was about Dr. King and how proud of us he would be for the work we were doing that day. After the festivities, we went to a site and planted trees one by one. We also helped each other dig and break through compounded soil so we could plant the young saplings in their new homes in order to spread their roots through the foundation. In the midst of digging we learned an important lesson—team work. It was hot but we worked together in our efforts to help our community.

–Elais Laurila, Computer Corps member

Tagged with: MLK • service

CCorp's First Podcast

On December 17, 2009, In Computer Corps, Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

A podcast is an audio recording meant to be downloaded from the internet. This podcast took us a long time to make. We used mics, a mixer, a guitar, a laptop, and several hours of revisions and recording to make this happen. It took us about a day and a half to research all the information before we could even write the script. CCorps members were split up into groups of four and every group was assigned to make their own podcast. Our group chose evolution because we thought it would interesting for a large group of people. The members of our group were Gabrielle Morales, Randy Moreno, Evan Hobratsch, and me (Sam Lindsey). We enjoyed making it and we hope you enjoy it too.

EVOLUTION

–Sam Lindsey, CCorps member