Corps Story: Veterans Corps Program at Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps

It can be challenging to make changes in your life, but it’s easier if you have someone by your side.

That mentality is at the heart of the new Veterans Corps program at Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps (GLCCC). After more than a year of research, planning, and fund development, the program officially launched earlier this fall.

The purpose of the Veterans Corps is to provide military veterans, of any age or ability, with assistance and paid job training during their transition into civilian life. The goal is to give each participant a customizable experience, helping them explore career paths, earn certifications, and access any support services they may need.

“This program is for any veteran who’s looking to take that next step and start that new mission, whether that be employment or looking to find that purpose again, or a community to help them navigate through some issues, whatever they may be. We’ll certainly work with them or make sure they get the right help they need,” said Derek Healey, an Army veteran and the GLCCC Veterans Corps Supervisor.

The Veterans Corps assists Habitat for Humanity with home construction. 

 

Making a Difference in the Community

The program is structured such that new cohorts of veterans will join quarterly. Each of the 12 weeks in a quarter consist of three to four days of hands-on work experience and one to two days of classroom learning. Each participant will be enrolled in AmeriCorps, which provides a bi-weekly stipend and an education award upon successful completion of the program. During COVID-19, much of the classroom learning has been virtual and self-paced.

Project work for the Corps varies; a main goal is to get veterans into the community, practicing job skills, and doing something meaningful to assist others. For example, GLCCC is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to give participants exposure to construction work. They’re also providing opportunities to learn landscaping and green infrastructure skills, and they’re partnering with another veteran-serving organization to provide training in masonry. Program participants also support other nonprofits and fellow veterans, including helping at local food pantries. In anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Veterans Corps members delivered food donations to veterans residing in transitional housing at the VA.

A component of the Veterans Corps is AgVets, an additional 12-week-long program supported through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Veterans will have the opportunity to receive training and hands-on experience in one of three fields related to agriculture and agribusiness: trucking and mechanical work; conservation and sustainability; and animal, food and plant science. Starting next year, veterans will have the chance to acquire skills while assisting at a nonprofit-owned farm and will have the opportunity to participate in field trips to local agribusiness employers.

“In this program, I would say you are going to get that feeling of purpose back. If that’s what you’ve been looking for and you feel like you’ve been missing something, that’s what I can tell this program is going to bring you. And not only that, but it’s at your pace,” said Matthew Whiting, a Marine Corps veteran and the AgVets Program Coordinator. “We’re going to figure out where you’re at. We’re going to help you not only pursue what you need to get done in your life, but to make a bigger impact in the community as well.”

Delivering Thanksgiving meals to the veterans transitional housing facility at the VA.

 

Squad Approach

Underpinning the Veterans Corps program is a “leave no veteran behind” mentality.

“One thing that really sets us apart is our squad-based approach,” said Jeanne Evans, Veterans Corps Instructor. “It’s really about re-sparking our veterans’ sense of purpose and self-sacrifice.”

As GLCCC staff noted, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other nonprofits offer programs to assist veterans in their transition to civilian life, but there are no other programs in the area that follow the crew-based model of a Corps, providing veterans with a support system. In addition to job skills and certifications, the program offers the opportunity to connect with GLCCC staff who have military experience, as well as case managers who can help them apply for disability benefits or other services offered by nonprofits or the VA.

“They need a ‘battle buddy,’ so to speak,” said Todd Kile, an Air Force veteran and the Veterans Corps Case Manager.

Veterans Corps green infrastructure training.

 

Meeting Veterans Where They Are

The basic requirements to participate in the program is that an individual must be a U.S. military veteran and have a “DD 214” ­– a military release form that indicates a person did not receive a dishonorable discharge. However, the program also has a Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Grant from the Department of Labor to specifically provide training and support to military veterans experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

So far, the Veterans Corps has two enrollees, with another three in the enrollment process.  The Veterans Corps plans to enroll a total of six to eight participants by the end of this year. The goal is to engage six new veterans as a new cohort every quarter, for a total of at least 25 veterans served per year.

“When they finish this program, I hope they have a sense of really starting to take personal ownership of their own lives, of their own futures,” said Derek Healey. “I hope they have that confidence that I think the service brings people. I think you can lose that really quickly. [I hope they] find that purpose that you had from the military service, to remember what that felt like, to wear the uniform, to accomplish tasks, to do the missions. We hope that instills in them back home here in their personal lives [and they can] continue to have that inner-self pride.”

To learn more about the GLCCC Veterans Corps, visit https://greatlakesccc.org/veterans-corps/

 

Action Plan: What’s Ahead for The Corps Network’s Moving Forward Initiative?

In 2017, with support from a three-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), The Corps Network launched our Moving Forward Initiative (MFI): an effort to advance equity, diversity and inclusion across the Service and Conservation Corps community. As announced in August of this year, we are honored to receive a subsequent grant from WKKF to support the continuation and expansion of MFI.

We are excited about how this initiative has evolved. Read about what we’ve learned and what we plan to do to continue supporting justice, education and empowerment across the Corps world.

Where We’ve Been

At the start of this initiative, our vision was to develop a career guide and other resources to support young people of color in their journey from their Corps experience to jobs in conservation and resource management. However, we quickly realized the need to broaden this vision: our efforts shifted to focus on providing Corps and Corpsmembers foundational knowledge and a framework for racial equity and healing.

MFI plenary session at The Corps Network 2020 National Conference. Left to Right: Marcelo Bonta, Angelou Ezeilo, Chanté Coleman.

Workshops and Trainings

The Corps Network assembled a cohort of ten Corps across the country that represent a range of program models and Corpsmembers from many different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. They are as follows:

American YouthWorks (TX)

Civicorps (CA)

Civic Works (MD)

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (MN, IA)

Franklin’s Promise Coalition (FL)

 Green City Force (NY)

LA Conservation Corps (CA)

Mile High Youth Corps (CO)

Montana Conservation Corps (MT)

PowerCorpsPHL (PA)

Working with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB), we engaged directors and several staff from each of these programs in PISAB’s intensive, multi-day “Undoing Racism” workshop. A condensed version of this workshop – as well as numerous other workshops, lectures, and film screenings focused on equity, diversity and inclusion – have been offered every year at The Corps Network’s national conference, providing valuable learning opportunities to many more people in the Corps community. In addition, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have hosted several MFI-focused Town Hall sessions for our membership.

Blogs and Resource Library

Since the start of MFI, we have published original blogs exploring a range of topics, including the inequitable history of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the history of Black farmers in America, the development of the environmental justice movement, gun violence, and inequities in education. In addition, we continue to add new items to our MFI Resource Library, which contains research, reports, books, and other materials to support the Corps community in their work to deepen their awareness and advance equity, diversity and inclusion.

Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership workshop at Los Angeles Conservation Corps.

Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership

Working with consultants Mahdi Davenport and Juanita Brown, The Corps Network developed Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership: an interactive workshop, designed for young people of color, that explores the impact of systemic and institutional oppression on the individual. Participants examine how they have absorbed negative messages, which in turn can manifest as counterproductive thoughts and habits. Through this workshop, young people of color learn tools to identify these patterns, interrupt them, and replace them with new life-giving patterns. This training was offered to Corpsmembers at six Corps from the cohort of ten (Civicorps, Civic Works, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Mile High Youth Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, PowerCorpsPHL). Going forward, there are plans to bring this workshop to more Corps.

Silence is Not an Option

In response to the national unrest following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, The Corps Network started a five-part virtual seminar series facilitated by our staff. These groups are designed to provide space for our staff and Corps staff across the country to have honest discussions about race in America. Before each discussion, seminar participants receive a collection of readings, videos, and other materials to review. These materials help guide the conversations. After completing this first series of seminars, we intend to expand this opportunity to a new group of participants

Where We’re Going

“Sending the Right Signal” – Building a Foundation

The Corps Network will work with Mahdi Davenport and the team at Soul Focused Group to engage up to 40 staff members and Corpsmembers from each of the 10 MFI Corps in a workshop – Sending the Right Signal – that looks beyond implicit bias and aims to provide a deeper understanding of race and racism. This workshop will serve as a precursor to Corpsmember and Liberation and Leadership, helping Corps staff and Corpsmembers develop foundational language and historical knowledge before diving deeper to address the effects of racism.

Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership workshop with Montana Conservation Corps.

Expanding Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership

Several staff members from the Corps that underwent Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership are participating in a train-the-trainer program. Mahdi Davenport is teaching them the Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership framework so they can assist in facilitating the workshop for the remaining four Corps in the MFI cohort. The goal is for all 10 Corps to eventually have staff members who are able to lead Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership workshops with new groups of Corpsmembers.

Learning Community

The Corps Network aims to develop a learning community among the 10 MFI Corps, creating opportunities for them to virtually come together to share best practices and lessons learned. We hope to work with the Corps to develop various activities to complement and build upon Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership so there is continuous learning and reinforcement of the messages and activities introduced in the Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership workshop.

MFI workshop at The Corps Network National Conference.

Core Skills Mastery

The Corps Network aims to engage additional Corps in Core Skills Mastery (CSM), a competency-based math and literacy program that seeks to address negative feelings some Corpsmembers may have about their abilities. Similar to Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership, CSM encourages a growth mindset and is designed to help participants harness their power and purpose not just for career success, but for the development of a whole, healthy person. CSM has been implemented successfully at Civic Works.

Speaking Authentically: Express Yourself

It is important to give young people a platform to speak their truths. Consultant Anitra Patrick will work with the 10 MFI Corps to support Corpsmembers in harnessing the power of their voices. After undergoing Corpsmember Liberation and Leadership, we aim to support Corps in using social media, their websites, and other platforms to give Corpsmembers a space to express their thoughts and experiences.

MFI plenary session at The Corps Network 2018 National Conference. Dr. Dorceta Taylor and Gyasi Ross.

Supporting Corps in Furthering Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work

Each Corps is at a different place in the journey of advancing equity. We hope to support Corps in developing racial equity plans and furthering their justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work. We hope to foster collaboration among Corps, encouraging them to share and learn from one another as they individually develop organizational racial equity plans.

Corpsmember Profile: Taking the Step – A Marine Shares His Experience with the Mt. Adams Institute VetsWork Program

By Sydni Dobson

Following the tragic events of 9/11, Adam Hale understood the emotional toll that people endured and felt it was his duty to represent his country. Fulfilling his life-long passion of wanting to help others, Adam enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Adam traveled all over the world. Shortly after serving his second tour, Adam sustained multiple injuries during service that led him to an early medical retirement. Forced with having to return to American soil, Adam decided to move back to his small hometown of Mt. Vernon, KY.

“I promised my dad before he died that, if I made it out of the Marine Corps alive, I’d come back home.”

Honoring his dad’s promise, Adam healed from his injuries and began working on his family’s farm, where he and his 17 siblings were born and raised. Unfulfilled with duties on the farm, Adam was thinking of his next venture in life. At the time, he toyed with the idea of stepping into law enforcement but didn’t feel that was where he belonged. In talking with a friend about his next steps, Adam learned about the Mt. Adams Institute VetsWork Environment program.

VetsWork is an eleven-month career development internship program for military veterans interested in the natural resources management, public lands, and environment sector. VetsWork participants are placed at local, state, and federal land management agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, where they provide project support while learning about various career paths.

“I had a buddy that went through the program (twice) who told me how it was compiled of a bunch of Vets who were in the same situation or background. That’s what drove me towards the program – just being around people who connected to me,” said Adam.

Two months after separating from the Marine Corps, Adam attended his first day of orientation with VetsWork. In his first official project assignment with the program – following strict national forest guidelines ­– Adam helped preserve the historic Redbird office located on the Daniel Boone National Forest. Working directly with the Head Engineer for Region 8 of the U.S. Forest Service, Adam assisted with a majority of the structural remodeling, rounding out a broad scope of work for the contractors working on the Ranger’s House, another government building on the Redbird District.

“If that week of orientation was all that I got from the program, that itself would’ve been worth it and perfect. It was 100 percent life changing for me. Not only did it give me the camaraderie of being around veterans, but it helped me tremendously,” said Adam.

In addition to working on remodeling projects, Adam worked alongside wildlife archaeologists and biologists, recording videos of endangered species and exploring new layers of the forest.

With all the different wildlife and unique projects that Adam assisted on, nothing felt more rewarding than working in wildland fire. In the program, Adam earned several firefighting certifications towards becoming a Type-2 Wildland Firefighter.

Approaching his final project requirement as a VetsWork member, Adam decided to take a different route and show his gratitude to a program that he felt turned his life around. For his Community Action Project – a project required from the program that helps the community as a whole – Adam came up with ideas on how VetsWork can be enhanced under COVID-19 safety precautions. Adam worked closely with Brendan Norman, Executive Director of Mt. Adams Institute, and Rebekah Rafferty, VetsWork Program Coordinator,  to create a plan that included Zoom Meetings and other social distancing-friendly tools to help Veterans better navigate through their projects.

Since finishing the program on October 26, Adam was directly hired as an Integrated Resource on the Daniel Boone National Forest, where he helps with fire, timber, recreation and much more. Adam’s word of advice to any Veterans dealing with life after the military was simple: take the next step. You never know, unless you try.

Corps Story: Adapting to Change – Civic Works’ Real Food Farm Helps Its Community in a Major Way

By Sydni Dobson
This fall, The Corps Network is featuring Corps stories around the theme of “harvest season.” These stories demonstrate Corps helping address food insecurity.

During the more than 10 years since Civic Works developed their Real Food Farm program, they have grown over 60,000 pounds of food and educated over 3,000 people about local agriculture.

Hoping to top last year’s goal of 5,000 pounds of fresh local produce distributed to 8 communities in Baltimore, Civic Works looked forward to another year of expanding their assistance to those with limited access to fresh and affordable produce.

However, three months into 2020, Civic Works faced the challenge of operating under COVID-19 safety precautions. They considered how to safely continue providing food assistance to residents who were abiding by stay-at-home orders and social distancing practices.

Operating out of two locations in Northeast Baltimore, the Real Food Farm is funded through The Corps Network’s AmeriCorps Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI), as well as through other partnerships with various local agencies and organizations. AmeriCorps members do the bulk of the work on the farm, from planting to harvesting.

Prior to COVID-19, AmeriCorps members normally distributed fresh produce through farmers’ markets and with their “mobile market” – a delivery truck that creates a pop-up market in communities with limited access to fresh food. The farm’s harvest – including corn, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and more – is normally given away for free or sold for a nominal cost. During the stay-at-home order period, however, Civic Works realized that the population most impacted were older adults who might not have the support or means to leave the house for food.

The Real Food Farm collaborated with Civic Works’ Elder Services Program. This program has two branches designed to assist older adults: Cities for All Ages and Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS). The Cities for All Ages service helps older adults make minor home repairs – like installing handrails, ramps, or bathroom aids – to help them live safely at home and age in place. The HUBS program helps residents make more significant home repairs by providing homeowners a case manager that can assist them with accessing grants and low-interest loans for major home repairs like a new roof, replacement windows, etc.

When coronavirus hit the United States, and it was first announced that older adults are the most at risk demographic, Civic Works temporarily suspended these services. However, they realized they could continue serving this population through food assistance.

AmeriCorps members packed food bags every Wednesday and delivered food to residents on Thursdays and Fridays. In order to meet the high demand, Civic Works delivered the produce packages using the mobile market delivery truck, the work vans that normally would’ve been used to do home repairs for the Elder Services Program, and other volunteers. Throughout the summer, the Real Food Farm also partnered with local catering companies and businesses to help make sure food was not going to waste, but rather would be delivered to people who needed it the most. As of September 30, Civic Works has distributed over 90,000 pounds of produce/meals, serving more than 9,200 individuals.

In addition to providing nutrition assistance, and in an effort to assist older adults who were still confined to their homes during the summer, Civic Works received a grant from the City of Baltimore to deliver fans and air conditioners to residents who requested them. Civic Works also offered pick-up sites for those items.

All through this time, Civic Works continued operations while following new COVID-19 safety protocols. Among other measures, both Real Food Farm locations required AmeriCorps members to perform daily temperature checks and answer health screen questions.

Now in the fall season and still operating under COVID-19 safety precautions, Civic Works recently finished up its last donations of fans and air conditioner units to citizens. They have also scaled back on the free food assistance program, downsizing to delivering food in only the mobile market delivery truck. The produce boxes are now delivered in a Community Supported Agriculture-style (CSA) for a nominal fee. The Elder Services Program is back operating, assisting older adults with minor home repairs while following strict social distancing guidelines.

Looking to the future, Civic Works hopes to invest in technology to make the program more efficient and reliable. Civic Works also plans to expand farm operations through maximizing work with partners like Great Kids Farm, an educational farm run by the school district, and other local farms that make up the Farm Alliance of Baltimore.

Thanks to the service of Civic Works’ Real Food Farm AmeriCorps members, many Baltimore residents received much-needed food assistance and friendly faces during these uncertain times.

Corps Story: During Uncertain Times, Corps Get Work Done with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Through The Corps Network’s National Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), several Corps have adapted to COVID-19, finding safe ways to complete important projects in partnership with USFWS. 
This story features Corps using The Corps Network’s National Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Learn more about how this agreement provides Accredited Corps across the country the opportunity to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to engage young people in maintaining some of our country’s most treasured natural and cultural resources.

Fellowship Life in 2020

From May to August of 2020, Greening Youth Foundation (GYF) used The Corps Network’s agreement to engage 23 young adults in the USFWS Directorate Fellows Program.

Though these fellows would typically serve in-person at a national wildlife refuge or other USFWS site, COVID-19 safety precautions meant that all 23 fellows served virtually. Working from home, the 2020 fellows supported the USFWS headquarters and refuges across thirteen states: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

 

Click to Watch: DFP intern Ivey Fidelibus discusses her work assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program research the intersection between the wildlife trade and disease.

 

Click to Watch: DFP intern Sally Lent discusses her work assisting the Wyoming Ecological Services Field Office with research about the impact of land-use changes on the western bumblebee.

 

The Directorate Fellows program is designed to give an immersive training experience to undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in biological sciences or natural resources management. The 2020 fellows through GYF supported a range of USFWS priorities. Examples of some of their projects and responsibilities include:

  • Fisheries: supporting freshwater mussel recovery in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin.
  • Surveying/Monitoring/Assessments and Tracking: conducting forest vegetation surveying and monitoring; mapping conservation easements for the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex.
  • Research: collecting and summarizing data to help monitor the western bumble bee.
  • Database Management/GIS: organizing refuge GIS; conducting species status assessments (SSA).
  • Invasive Species: combatting invasive grasses and mapping invasive plants.

To ensure fellows felt engaged and had a meaningful experience, despite serving from home, GYF held weekly check-ins with all of the fellows. Each fellow was also required to submit video journals to GYF to help track their progress. All fellows who successfully completed the program are eligible to receive Direct Hire Authority, which gives them a significant advantage when applying to federal jobs.

 

 

Crew Work on the Coast

A Corpsmember with Community Training Works

In addition to work accomplished through the Directorate Fellows Program, Corps also completed crew-based work. Community Training Works (CTW) used The Corps Network’s Cooperative Agreement to partner with St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Florida Gulf coast. Some of the young adults on the crew were AmeriCorps members through The Corps Network’s Transportation and Infrastructure Program (TIP).

Corpsmembers served from March through July, implementing new COVID-19 safety protocols to help ensure the crew would not need to stop due to illness. Among other activities, projects included levee restoration, habitat restoration, fence installation, rock work, trail maintenance, fire mitigation, tree removal, and native planting. The Corps will continue work at the refuge in 2021, primarily focusing on fire mitigation and trail maintenance.

 

 

Looking to the FY21 Season

Under The Corps Network’s Cooperative Agreement, Corps are already preparing for work with USFWS in 2021. The Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (IIC) will help recruit four Directorate Fellows to support refuges in the Southwest. Due to mandatory quarantine rules at the refuges, the positions will be a hybrid of virtual and in-person work until it is safe for the fellows to begin serving fully on-site.

Locations and activities for the fellows include:

  • Rio Mora and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuges (New Mexico): developing in-school programming related to all three refuges within the Northern New Mexico Complex; updating and managing the refuge website and social media; working on the Loma Parda Trail; monitoring and tracking birds, plants, and other species.
  • Buenos Aires and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuges (Arizona): creating and posting social media content; conducting virtual environmental education; volunteer management; visitor center support.
  • Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Texas): conducting virtual environmental education; creating website and social media content; event planning and outreach.
  • Sequoyah NWR and Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma): creating website and social media content; developing virtual programs for educators within the state; supporting the Oklahoma State Junior Duck Stamp program through virtual programming.

 

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

 

Crews will also assist USFWS in 2021. Conservation Corps of Long Beach will work under The Corps Network’s Cooperative Agreement to support projects at Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, which is located within Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. Corpsmembers and Corps staff will receive clearance to enter the Navy base.

Projects will include habitat restoration, trail maintenance, litter abatement, event support, assessments of invasive and native species, and addressing backlogged maintenance work from a past government shutdown and COVID-19 closures. Most of the work needs are on Hog Island, a habitat-sensitive area in the middle of the refuge.

 

 

Getting Creative

We are impressed by the amount of work Corpsemembers and fellows have accomplished this year to support the USFWS mission. Facing uncertainty, Corps and USFWS staff collaborated to develop safety protocols and new work plans. We are inspired by these partnerships and look forward to seeing what Corps will accomplish in 2021.

 

 

Corps Story: Mile High Youth Corps Navigates COVID-19 Protocols to Complete Work at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

More than 20 Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) AmeriCorps members have participated in maintenance and improvement projects at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument this year

This story features a Corps using The Corps Network’s National Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service. Learn more about how this agreement provides Accredited Corps across the country the opportunity to partner with the National Park Service to engage young people in maintaining some of our country’s most treasured natural and cultural resources.   

Through the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have turned to parks and trails as safe spaces to exercise and relax. More than ever, we can appreciate the importance of well-maintained recreation areas.

We would argue that, among the everyday heroes of 2020, are the people who keep our outdoor spaces accessible. This includes more than 20 AmeriCorps members from Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) who served at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument this year.

 

Trail widening

 

MHYC is partnering with Florissant Fossil Beds through The Corps Network’s National Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service. The Corps was brought in to assist the park with trail construction and maintenance, rock work, installing drainage systems, and improving various park facilities.

From June through October, the MHYC AmeriCorps members – who dubbed their cohort the Challenger Crew – completed three miles of trail construction and maintenance, installed more than 30 steps and 12 new trail signs, and completed extensive work to improve trail drainage. They also conducted fire mitigation work and constructed roughly 300 feet of rock retaining walls.

 

Installing timber steps at the picnic area

 

All through this work, Corpsmembers and staff practiced comprehensive safety measures to limit coronavirus exposure and spread. Trainings were held virtually whenever possible. Crews were staggered to prevent cross-crew contamination. Health screens became part of the morning routine. New protocols surrounding transportation, camping, meals, personal hygiene, and project work were developed and updated throughout the summer and fall seasons.

In addition to serving through COVID-19 concerns, Corpsmembers also faced environmental hazards, such as an historic snowstorm and smoky conditions caused by the worst wildland fire season in Colorado’s recorded history.

 

Job well done: Corpsmembers enjoying the newly constructed picnic area

 

At the beginning of the summer season, the Challenger Crew worked on the Shootin’ Star Trail, widening the tread to accommodate two-way traffic, an important safety measure during COVID-19.

The Challenger Crew also entirely remodeled a large picnic area near the visitor center, installing anti-erosion features, lining the path with rock, and redefining the tread with tamped-down gravel. Later in the season, they improved the Hornbek Wildlife Trail, installing weed control mats and constructing timber stairs and drainage structures.

 

Rock work

 

Though this was a “challenging” season for the Challenger Crew, the Corps adapted and still managed to complete critical maintenance and improvement projects at a park that sees tens of thousands of visitors every year. In addition to the project accomplishments, several of the Corpsmembers who participated in these projects are on track to earn Public Lands Corps (PLC) hiring certificates. Granted to Corpsmembers who serve a minimum of 640 hours on public lands, including 120 hours on federal lands, the PLC hiring authority gives Corps alums a significant advantage when applying to federal jobs. We wish the crew the best of luck.

“Overall, MHYC is proud of how we have responded to the adversity this year has posed our program,” said Bella Bains, a Program Support Specialist at MHYC. “We feel that we have set an example for how to serve our community responsibly through this pandemic.”

RAP Profile: Elanna Thompson

By Sydni Dobson

Meet Elanna Thompson, a Resource Assistant Program (RAP) intern through The Corps Network.

RAP is a USDA Forest Service program that provides a rigorous and immersive internship experience for those interested in career opportunities with land management agencies. Resource Assistants (RAs) are recruited by partner organizations – such as The Corps Network and our member Corps – and work under the supervision of Forest Service staff to accomplish mission-critical work. Elanna Thompson was recruited by CLIMB Community Development Corporation (CDC).

Before joining RAP in November 2019, Elanna attended graduate school at University of Southern Mississippi (USM), continuing her studies in biology in pursuit of attending medical school. After realizing grad school wasn’t the perfect fit, Elanna’s co-worker mentioned a RAP internship on the Desoto National Forest.

Thrilled with the idea of being outdoors and working with the environment, Elanna applied for the position and was hired. Fast forward to almost a year later, Elanna is thankful for working closely with the Forest Service and all that they’ve introduced to her. Learn more about Elanna’s journey to RAP and her experience as an intern.

 

Q: What interested you in joining RAP?

A: I was in grad school at USM and it wasn’t a good fit for me, and I wasn’t a good fit for them. When I left, I heard about a temporary position on the Chickasawhay District and I applied. At first, they told me they already filled the position, but I called them so much – and aggravated them – that they ended up calling back and offering me a position.

I worked there for two months, just kind of helping out – pretty much doing whatever they needed me to do. Then one of the ladies that worked in the office informed me about a RAP internship on the DeSoto. I applied and called them a lot, so that they could know my name and face. Eventually, they selected me, and I started the program in November 2019, and I have enjoyed it. I get paid to do something that I would do for free – that’s a win-win for me. I love to be outside and I find so many cool things just in the course of my job.

I recently read something in an article about micro goals. You write down things that make you instantly happy or that you enjoy, and they’ll make your whole day. Finding different mushrooms or different plants outside – those are my personal goals and I get gratified every day.

Even though I’m an intern, the Forest Service is very family-conscious: anytime my kids need to be checked out early or they were sick, or I was sick – they were extremely supportive and understanding. That a good employee is allowed to have the time they need to take care of their family, it ends up making [the employee] work harder for the agency; I’m really impressed with that so far. Also, with CLIMB and The Corps Network – I love how everyone knows what’s really important.

 

Q: What were you doing before you joined RAP?

A: I was a grad student at USM. I got my bachelor’s from there in biological sciences. I love USM; they have a great program. However, I had recently gotten a divorce and was at a mentally tough place in my life. Grad school was not very forgiving, and I guess it’s just the nature of the beast. It just wasn’t working for me being a single mom, I knew I had to find something else. Also, the pay is absolutely atrocious. As a grad student, I was doing DNA extraction in a shark and ray lab. It was really cool and mentally stimulating, but I was inside all day long and it really just wasn’t a good fit for me. With the RAP internship, it allowed me to blossom and really enjoy myself and my life. I know that sounds really cheesy, but it is true.

 

Q: What internship or work experience have you had before joining RAP?

A: Yes, I had a couple. I did summer internships with my professors and I’ve done a lot of field work. I studied tropical ecology in Belize. I did an internship with [an organization called] My Brother’s Keeper at a clinic in Jackson. We worked with people who didn’t have access to healthcare and helped them get access to STD testing, education, etc.

I really enjoyed that and that was a part of my life where I really thought I wanted to go to medical school. But at that point, I figured out that knowing you don’t like something was just as important as knowing you do. In working at that clinic, it made me realize that the heavy responsibility was something that I’m not equipped to handle. I’m very thankful for going through that internship. I had a lot of fun and met a lot of really cool people. But I realized that the medical field was not for me there.

You mentioned that you studied tropical ecology in Belize. Can you tell us more about that experience? 

During undergrad, I took a tropical ecology course in Belize for two weeks. Prior to studying abroad, we took a class for a semester studying the places we were going and all that we’d be doing there. I did that after the internship with My Brother’s Keeper. And that kind of cemented and helped me realize that wildlife and studying the global ecosystem is what I wanted to do. I snorkeled in the cayes – islands outside of Belize. We went on mountain hikes and backpacked. We stayed in little lodges, where there was no electricity most of the time. It was really interesting to get back to an environment where there really isn’t much technology. It makes you appreciate technology and sort of wish that it wasn’t around. I could probably talk for hours on all of the things that I’ve learned there.

 

Q: What kind of work are you doing in your current role?

A: I’m mainly in the recreation program, but if other departments need me, they can pull me and ask for me during the day. Most of the time, what we do is if someone has trash or if something needs cleaning or needs to be picked up, I’ll go do that. I also help keep the ranch areas clean and orderly.

One thing that I’ve been doing recently is an operation and management plan for rec areas. I’m doing one for the shooting range right now. That’s sort of giving me a head start on how to keep up with Forest Service paperwork, because it can be kind of daunting. There’s a lot of paperwork when you deal with large government agencies – they want everything documented.

Another thing is that I meet the kids that come from the GulfCorps program. I help them with the work they’re doing on the district. I serve as a guide, making sure that they get where they’re supposed to be and stuff like that.

I have helped spray for non-native invasive species. I have checked RCW, which is red cockaded woodpecker clusters and documented starts to new holes. Another time, I helped mark out gopher tortoise burrows before they would go in and log. Gopher tortoises can only get in so many feet of the burrows, when they’re logging.

Next month, I’ll be assisting with an archeological survey. My direct supervisor here on the DeSoto is actually the archeologist. We have done several digging surveys, where you just go and pick up a random square in the area and see if you can find any arrowheads. I’ve found some points and scrapers. We found some pottery before. It’s really fascinating, because I grew up literally right down the road. To touch something that could’ve been touched by my ancestors is really interesting.

 

Q: So far, what has been your favorite part about the program?

A: I’m the type of person where I enjoy working by myself a lot. I know this might sound weird, but I really like that if I’m having an off day, I can just get lost in the forest and do what I’m supposed to be doing. I can just go and row a rec area or walk down one of the hiking trails and make sure [there’s] nothing dangerous [and there’s] no trash. Just everything.

Another fun moment that I really enjoyed was attending The Corps Network’s annual conference in Washington, DC. I got so many new ideas on ways that Corps can work on our district. I have a lot of ideas of how to bring local Corps in. Cause when I was in Washington, I saw how in California, they have such a huge labor force of young people and they get to learn so much and we need that desperately in the South. Our young people want to do something. They just don’t have the opportunity all the time. This is something that is very much on my heart.

 

Q: What are some of the challenges of the program?

A: I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I’m the only girl out here. It helps that I grew up here, and most of the guys that I work with have very similar thinking to people I grew up with. I know how to sort of blend in. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that a lot of them are very open-minded.

But it can be a challenge, because I mean there are things I can’t do. There are things I can’t help out with. Some of it is because I don’t have the training or equipment, but there are literally things that some of the guys can do and I can’t, cause I’m a female and that’s okay. But it does get annoying sometimes. Trying to get people to see you as a person, not a woman, is difficult sometimes.

 

Q: Have you gained new skills or earned certifications?

A: Yes, I have my government driver’s license and first responder certification. I also have a lot of fire qualifications. I’ve taken about three different fire courses and I’m currently working on passing my pack test. I know how to use most of the equipment out here, unless it’s like, heavy equipment.

 

Q: Do you feel like you’ve learned anything about yourself?

A: I definitely feel like this is a more grown-up work environment. In academia, I feel like when you work for a university, the mindset is always 20-something. I feel like this is a more grown-up place to work, and I’ve learned how to navigate office politics. Which is something that I’ve never encountered before. It has pushed and helped me realize what I want out of my life. Which is something that a lot of people struggle with, and I feel like having that question answered gives you so much peace.

 

“I get paid to do something that I would do for free – that’s a win-win for me. I love to be outside and I find so many cool things just in the course of my job.”

 

Q: Tell us about some of the people you’ve met or connections you’ve made during your program experience.

A: I got to meet most of the…leadership on the district. I really like Deputy Ranger Chandra Roberts – she has helped me and tried her best to teach me how to fit in here and know what’s good and what’s not good. My mentor Robert Reams was a great boss to me as well. There was one instance where I met a guy at one of the fire classes. I didn’t recognize him at first, and we just started talking about genetics and other stuff, however he turned out to be the Regional Genetics Director for the Harrison Experimental Forest. After our conversation, we exchanged contact information and he reached out to me about an opening at their facility. I got to go down there and extract some DNA for a project they’re doing with conifers. It was fun to be back in the lab for a week.

 

Q: What is your plan following this RAP internship?

A: One day I would like to be a ranger. But you can’t necessarily go straight to that, and I love the wildlife program. When the wildlife technician position became available here, I applied. I’m hoping it will get my foot in the door as it’s a permanent position. It will kind of set me up for where I’m going next. It’s only been two years since I got divorced, and it’s kind of hard to bounce back from that financially, so I wasn’t ready to move. I’m hoping that I get this position, because I’ll be right back here at home and it will give me some time to save up and be ready for a big move.

 

Q: What advice would you give to others who are considering a program like this?

A: They’re very competitive. I think it was like 300 people that applied for this position, and the reason why is because the position itself is so great. I would love if they could open up another one here. With that being said, sometimes when you compete for a spot really hard, you think it’s going to be a certain way. But this is a hard job – like literally manual labor. If you do not like to sweat or you like to be in the air conditioner – don’t apply.

You just really need to be ready for a lot of hard work and I personally think that it builds character. I feel good when I’ve had a hard days’ work. It’s a different kind of good feeling than if you’re working on a computer – which is something that can be important and also mentally stressful. But I’d say the biggest component of this position here on the DeSoto is pretty intense manual labor. Not every day – I’d say one day a week is hard, and the rest is moderate. I’d say that if you want to, try to get in touch with previous RAP interns and speak to them. Make sure before you go all in. The worst thing is someone who gets the position and they don’t appreciate it, cause it’s not what they thought it was. And to get it and not even try is disrespectful to all the people who wanted the position. Just make sure it’s something you want to do.

 

Q: If you could describe your RAP experience in one sentence, what would you say?

A: Challenging, but rewarding. This position wasn’t just handed to me. They expected me to work from day one, but it’s so rewarding. Just being able to see the difference I make on the district; it means everything to me.

 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: I would like to tell The Corps Network and CLIMB, thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. Originally, I didn’t think I was going to get this RAP position. It has truly made all the difference for me and my little girls. I’m not entirely sure where we’d be right now if I hadn’t gotten this position. I’m really grateful.

Corps Story: GulfCorps Year-4 Kicks Off

Bringing conservation learning and job training to more than 50 young adults across the Gulf of Mexico

[Photo in banner: Student Conservation Association]

 

The fourth cohort of GulfCorps officially kicked off this month with a virtual orientation session, held October 5 – 7. During this new season, GulfCorps will provide opportunities for more than 50 young adults across the Gulf region to learn new skills and gain conservation work experience through service in Corps.

Launched in 2017 with a grant made possible by the RESTORE Act, GulfCorps is an initiative to support Corps in engaging young adults in conservation and restoration service and job training across the five states bordering the Gulf of Mexico (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas).

In response to powerful storms and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the goal of GulfCorps is to help prepare a local workforce for the growing environmental restoration economy. Since its inception, GulfCorps has engaged more than 300 young people. The initiative is led by The Nature Conservancy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Student Conservation Association (SCA), and The Corps Network.

 


Orientation: Corpsmembers in Florida with Franklin’s Promise learn how to use orienteering and monitoring tools.

 

A Different Kind of Orientation

Six Corps are participating in year-4 of GulfCorps: Climb CDC Conservation Corps (engaging Corpsmembers in Mississippi); SCA (Alabama); Limitless Vistas, Inc. (Louisiana); American YouthWorks (Texas and Louisiana); Franklin’s Promise Coalition (Florida); and American Conservation Experience (Texas).

During the coming year, Corpsmembers will work on a range of projects in partnership with land management agencies. Work will include building living coastlines, removing invasive species, installing native plants, prescribed fire, endangered species protection, wetland restoration, and maintaining trails and other recreation areas.

Typically, GulfCorps orientation would involve uniting Corpsmembers from all of the programs for an in-person training. Due to coronavirus concerns, orientation for the year-4 cohort took place primarily online. Corpsmembers participated in virtual lessons on hard skills, like GPS and ecological monitoring techniques, as well as on important topics like inclusivity and navigating group dynamics. Lessons were accompanied by hands-on training at each Corps.

 


Orientation: American Conservation Experience (ACE)

 

The Corps Network’s role in GulfCorps is to facilitate professional development. Orientation is the kick start to this professional development component. A full day was devoted to the topic, with panel discussions and workshops. Among others, speakers throughout the day included Leslie Weldon, Deputy Chief of the National Forest System, Stephanie Meeks, President and CEO of SCA, and Corps alumni, including 2019 Corpsmember of the Year Jasmine Poole.

A unique benefit of GulfCorps is that it’s more than “just a job.” Throughout their service, Corpsmembers practice field skills, earn certifications, and receive assistance in obtaining post-program employment. Corpsmembers will complete a résumé, practice interviewing, and receive lessons in communication, teamwork and other employability skills. During orientation, Corpsmembers attended workshops on professionalism and active listening, and began working on documents to outline their individual development plan, goals and strategies.

Orientation: Texas Conservation Corps (top) and Louisiana Conservation Corps (bottom).
Both are programs of American YouthWorks

 

Building on an Impressive Track Record

To date, GulfCorps has far exceeded project goals. Corps have partnered on projects with more than 40 resource management agencies, local governments, foundations and other entities. Corpsmembers have restored or enhanced more than 10,000 acres, including over 2,200 acres of wetland and nearly 5,800 acres of upland.

GulfCorps has also exceeded post-program placement goals, with many alumni going into jobs in conservation. The post-program placement rate for Year-3 was over 90 percent. Among other roles, GulfCorps alumni have progressed into jobs as fire technicians, conservation technicians, forestry technicians, sawyers, biology aides, herbicide applicators, and waste management professionals. There are also alums how now hold staff positions at Corps, and an alum who now works as a biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

 

Orientation: Climb CDC Conservation Corps

 

“I am incredibly proud of what GulfCorps has accomplished. This initiative is completing critical work to restore habitats while doing the equally, if not more important work of providing meaningful training opportunities to a new generation of conservation professionals,” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President and CEO of The Corps Network. “At a time when we often hear discouraging news from the Gulf – about storms and rising waters – GulfCorps offers a hopeful story of taking action for the benefit of our environment and our young people. I look forward to seeing what the year-4 cohort will achieve.”

Year-4 of GulfCorps will conclude at the end of June 2021.

Orientation: Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LVI)

 

Corps Story: SJCC+CS Packs Food for Families in Need

This fall, The Corps Network is featuring Corps stories around the theme of “harvest season.” These stories demonstrate Corps helping address food insecurity.

Story by Jaime Croteau
Strategy and Development Director, San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School 

Last spring, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world and society retreated inside and adapted to social distancing, the San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School (SJCC+CS), realized its services would be needed more than ever.

The economic crisis that accompanied the virus has resulted in skyrocketing rates of housing and food insecurity, exacerbating the inequity already present in Silicon Valley. In fact, as measured by the Santa Clara County Hunger Index, food insecurity in the area has doubled during the pandemic.

SJCC+CS, like other Corps, is set up to quickly and efficiently respond to emergencies and unmet community needs. Recognizing this, the City of San Jose contracted SJCC+CS to fill the expanding workforce needs of Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley. Since mid-June, SJCC+CS Corpsmembers have been boxing food for the most vulnerable members of their community, with a current average of about 90 Corpsmembers working every day across three different warehouses.

“It’s really inspiring to see these amazing young people get involved in their community and make a real difference in the lives of so many people.”

“When the pandemic hit our community, the number of people we served doubled in just a matter of weeks. At the same time, we lost a large portion of our volunteer workforce due to stay at home orders…We were in the very challenging position of handing out twice the amount of food, but with a fraction of our volunteers,” said Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. “The members of the San Jose Conservation Corps stepped in at a critical time to fill that void and have helped ensure that nutritious food gets to the people who need it most. It’s really inspiring to see these amazing young people get involved in their community and make a real difference in the lives of so many people.”

Because of the quick response from the community, the city says that a widespread food crisis has been avoided. The scale of this response is seen in the numbers. Since SJCC+CS has been assisting Second Harvest, Corpsmembers and staff have packed approximately 5.5 million pounds of food and have helped feed about 180,000 families.

In order to meet the demand of the project, SJCC+CS has even partnered with other local Corps in California. The Cesar Chavez Environmental Corps, Conservation Corps of Long Beach, Los Angeles Conservation Corps and the California Conservation Corps have all lent a hand to create a great example of cross-corps collaboration while contributing to an impressive impact.

In addition to the positive results for the families receiving food, the project has offered an opportunity for Corpsmembers to develop skills while earning money to support themselves and their families.

“Providing support services during emergencies provides transformational growth opportunities for our young adults as they realize that their efforts can make a meaningful difference to those in need.”

“We are grateful to the City of San Jose for contracting us to provide food boxing services to Second Harvest. For decades, Second Harvest has provided food to SJCC for our Corpsmembers and students. It is great to be able to support Second Harvest of Silicon Valley in return to help feed our community’s most vulnerable people,” said Dorsey Moore, Executive Director of SJCC+CS. “Providing support services during emergencies provides transformational growth opportunities for our young adults as they realize that their efforts can make a meaningful difference to those in need.”

In talking with Corpsmembers involved with the project, it is clear that Dorsey is right about the opportunities for growth.

Corpsmember Eduardo Gonzalez was looking for a warehouse job three months ago when he came across the opportunity to join SJCC. In addition to getting experience in a warehouse like he wanted, he’s also taking on more responsibilities and is currently applying to be a Crew Leader.

“I’ve never had a leadership role and I think it’d be nice to try it out. I feel like with this place I have the experience for it,” says Eduardo.

Dean Nguyen was recruited as a Corpsmember for this project and has moved up to be a Crew Leader, with his eyes on a staff position.

Dean says, “I think that being here helped me learn a lot of skills in the warehouse and in general how a strong management works.” He has used those leadership skills to develop and motivate his own crew, which he describes as “really solid.” Although Dean was originally looking for any job to pay rent, he’s taken full advantage of all that the Corps offers him and appreciates the positive impact of his work.

“It feels nice knowing that me and my crew and the rest of the Corps are helping families in need and it makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger. Helping the community: it’s always good, right?”

We definitely agree, Dean.

 

Not the Beginning and Not the End: A Letter from Julia Hillengas, PowerCorpsPHL

Julia Hillengas is the Executive Director and co-founder of PowerCorpsPHL, a Service and Conservation Corps in Philadelphia, PA. During this unprecedented year of grief, division, and uncertainty, the PowerCorpsPHL community has lost five young people to gun violence or inadequate access to healthcare. Over the summer, in response to an op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer about the city’s rise in gun violence, Julia wrote this open letter to PowerCorpsPHL’s stakeholders about the need to reframe gun violence as a public health issue. We invite you to read Julia’s powerful letter below, and to read our interview with her, where we discuss addressing gun violence, building more equitable non-profits, and authentically supporting Corpsmembers and Corps staff during these trying times.

Photo in banner: Young men from the PowerCorpsPHL community who passed away over this last year.
Rest in Power. 

  

July 2020

“But that is not the beginning or the end. There was more to all of their lives. They were sons, brothers and friends. They were loved. They were here,” writes Helen Urbiñas in her recent op-ed about the life lost in Philadelphia from gun violence this year.

In it she has included a list of names. When I looked over the list, I knew which three to look to out for. I knew they would be there, but I wanted to see them for myself, see if there was other information already linked to their names before we sent over our photos and tributes. I read over the whole list, intensely hoping that there wouldn’t be a surprise we hadn’t known about in a week already heavy with the loss of two beautiful lives.

While no other alumni were listed, a few more names stood out. People I hadn’t met, young people who, in that moment, despite sitting fresh with grief, I wished I had met. They were young people whose names I recognized from their applications to join PowerCorpsPHL.

As the tragedies that have hit our community show, we don’t make people bulletproof. In fact, I don’t believe our work saves anyone. Our approach is firmly rooted in creating spaces and supportive networks for young people to do that for themselves. And yet, the thought creeped in: What if they had joined PowerCorpsPHL? Would it have made a difference?

As I wrestled with the potential answers, I also found myself wrestling with the premise itself. Selfishly, I feared what it meant about the value of our work if, in reality, the answer was “no.” But I also feared, and was disappointed in myself, for reverting so quickly to the savior premise to begin with. It’s a cognitive trap, rooted in white-dominant culture, that has long contaminated the waters of the nonprofit world and how people think about social problems.

Say this aloud with me: Gun violence is a public health issue. The disparities in outcomes are tied to the structural inequities caused by systemic racism over generations in our city.

We can’t save anyone, and few people can save themselves, if we’re all still stuck using the same tools that got us here. We need to change how we think and we need to build better tools and systems that align to a richer, more complex understanding of the problems.

The question is really, “What kind of difference would it have made?” Even if the events remained the same, would we collectively have been better if more young people impacted by gun violence, both the victims and the shooters, had experienced more opportunities to see their value for themselves, be recognized by others, feel love, and contribute to a nurturing community? Would this have made our future richer?

Having spent the past two weeks mourning the loss of two alumni – one from gun violence and one from health disparities – and the past six months processing the loss of three more young people lost to gun violence, I don’t even have to think. I already know the answer is yes. I wrote the tributes, I listened to family members, colleagues, and other young people recount the impact and love each person shared with their community, and I know that despite their mistakes or missteps or past harms done, they also brought life and shared the best of themselves with the world. That is their legacy and their gift to us. Let us recognize it, hold it sacred, and allow it to enrich our collective future together.

In love and sadness,

Julia
Executive Director, PowerCorpsPHL