Utah Conservation Corps’ Bike Program Receives Federal Funding, Featured on Public Radio

 


Credit Matt Jensen – Aggie Blue Bikes ‘wrench lady’ Katie Harker works on a bicycle at the campus shop.
 

Editor’s Note: Aggie Blue Bikes is a program of the Utah Conservation Corps 

From utahpublicradio.org – by Matt Jensen

Aggie Blue Bikes – the campus shop famous for its Aggie-Blue colored bicycles –will receive nearly $90,000 for a major remodel scheduled for later this year. Program coordinator Stephanie Tomlin says the project will open the shop up for additional space, meaning more work benches, additional student tool boards and more bike storage.

Aggie Blue Bikes offers those in the USU community free bike rentals, access to tools and advice and cycling education. Team members here say each bike goes through a rigorous inspection to make sure they’re fit for the road. A typical safety check starts with a look at the paint, then the seat, then…

“Headset, handlebars, shifters, brake levers, grips, cables, bottom bracket, pedals, chain cassette, hubs, wheel trueness, brakes, tire pressure, stem and reflectors,” says Ryan Keepers with a deep breath. “It’s a very comprehensive checkup.”

Keepers and Katie Harker are two staff members at Aggie Blue Bikes who help keep the bikes in top shape.

At its core, the Blue Bikes program advocates cycling as a viable form of transportation on campus and around town. Program coordinator Stephanie Tomlin:

“We’re always looking to get more people on more bikes more often,” she said. “That’s kind of our catchphrase. And we do so through lending, education and advocacy.”

Students and faculty can rent bikes for 24 hours, or for up to three months. Last year, Aggie Blue Bikes checked out more than 600 three-month rental bikes, 900 24-hour rentals and helped 3,000 USU community members with personal bicycle repair and advice.

“Any opportunity we have to further that movement toward opening streets to be more cycling and pedestrian friendly, we’re in support of that,” she added. “And we can’t forget that our roots are entrenched in improving the air quality here.”

The money for the remodel comes from the federal government’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program. Tomlin says the money will be used to improve on-site bike storage as well as updating the facility with a credit card reader and better software to streamline the check-out process. Long-term bike rentals are so popular at Aggie Blue Bikes, Tomlin says it’s difficult to keep up in the crowded facility.

“The three-month rentals are really the bread and butter of Blue Bikes,” said Tomlin. “We have over 260 bikes in that fleet. They’re extremely popular. The idea behind them is to get people on a bike as a sustainable form of transportation. It’s a little more involved than just taking a quick trip somewhere – we want people to commit to it.”

By removing the barriers to cycling, Tomlin and her staff say the program can help reduce vehicle miles traveled by USU community members. 

I hope this farewell is more of a “see you later” – An Inspirational Corpsmember Speech from the Green City Force Graduation


Shella Hair, GCF Graduate and Corps Member speaker (Photo credit Anthony Clark)
 

A speech delivered by Corpsmember Shella Hair at the Green City Force Winter 2013 graduation ceremony

I would like to start by saying thank you to the Team Leaders, administration and staff of Green City Force. I would like to give special thanks to Lisbeth Shepherd for all she has done with GCF to make each cohort better.

Because of your support and encouragement, we are all here today celebrating this special day together. Also, I cannot forget this awesome group of Corps Members sitting in front of me. It has been a great pleasure to represent this Cohort; I couldn’t ask for a better group of people with whom to start a promising future!

Before this program I was living in a world guided by fear and failure; a world suppressing the uniqueness that lies inside of each of us; a world that sets us up for failure by giving us an educational system that clandestinely sets us up for jobs that could be automated, work that does not need to be done, and enslavement without fervency for meaningful achievement. After High School they kick us out and say the future is ours with no manual instructions, not even a What’s Next After High School for Dummies book. Not every student is prepared for college and not every student is walking into a job. Most of us are just happy to graduate from High School.  They say the choice is ours, yet the truth is we have no choices in life when money is our motivational force. Our motivational force ought to be passion, which is lost from the moment we step into a system that trains us, rather than inspires us.

However failure became my best friend and fear was right around every corner I turned. I say failure became my best friend because it gave me an inner security that I had never attained from passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could not have learned any other way. I discovered that I had a strong will and more discipline than I had suspected. The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger after setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself or the strength of your relationships until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for if it is painfully won, it is worth more than any qualification I ever earned. So during those times failure came to my door, I embraced it with both arms opened wide.

We are all very special; every human on this planet. YES, each and every one of you.  So aren’t we all deserving of something better? Using our minds for innovation rather than memorization, for creativity rather than futile activity, for rumination rather than stagnation? On February 4, 2013 I became a Corps Member of Green City Force and my entire life and outlook on life changed. I was given hope. I am no longer ashamed to say I am from NYCHA. In addition, after being a member of the Urban Farm Corps I found myself and discovered what I want to do with my life, my calling, and my passion:  Urban Agriculture. There’s something about taking vacant lots and fields and turning them into gardens and farms that provide fresh produce to the residents of that community. I love educating people of all ages on the importance of healthy eating, working with people to make a difference in their lives, and beautifying NYC with flowers, herbs, and vegetables! I was so inspired, I actually started a garden in my own development in the South Bronx.

The saddest part is that the majority of young adults do not have the opportunity to reflect as I did, experience the things I’ve done, or meet the people I’ve met. They weren’t given a second chance as I was. I will never be able to turn back these 23 years. I cannot run away to another country and start over. That part of my life is over, and going forward I want to make sure that no other young adult from public housing will have his or her potential suppressed by powers meant to exploit and control. Every young adult that lives in NYCHA from age 18 to 24 should be given the opportunity to be a part of Green City Force. We are human beings. We are thinkers, dreamers, explorers, artists, writers, engineers. We are anything we want to be – but only if we support one another rather than hold one another down. A tree can grow, but only if its roots are given a healthy foundation.

So, here I stand. I am not standing here because I am the best Corps Member, or because I am better than any of you. Truth is I was molded by my environment, by all of my peers who are sitting here watching me. I couldn’t have accomplished this without all of you. It was all of you who truly made me the person I am today. It was all of you who were my competition, but at the base my backbone. In that way, we are all winners and we will all be successful.
 


Shella Hair, GCF Graduate Speaker (Photo credit Anthony Clark)
 

Looking around, we do not see the same people we saw on the first day of Green City Force. Some have left and others have given up, but we did not! We used GCF to move forward.  Before GCF, many of us were against all odds. Growing up in NYCHA made me feel worthless and useless; I became a product of my drug-infested, crime-ridden broken-down environment. I felt trapped. We all had challenges to face, but look at us now. We became AmeriCorps Service Members of Green City Force.  When the world labeled us and tried to break us down, we challenged it with our longevity to finish the program, beat them with our perseverance, and became a Force that is unstoppable.

I am now supposed to say farewell to Green City Force, those who maintain it, and those who stand with me and behind me. I hope this farewell is more of a “see you later,” when we are all working together to rear a pedagogic movement. In the long run I think it would be safe to say, leave behind what is not helpful and instead bring forward with you the lessons that will be the working parts of your greatest invention ever: Your life! Your future! Congratulations to us, Winter Cohort of 2013!

The Poets of Rocky Mountain Youth Corps – Haikus from the Trail

Nature’s beauty serves as the inspiration for many great works of art — including these haikus from the Corpsmembers of Rocky Mountian Youth Corps in Colorado.
Well…maybe these poems weren’t exactly inspired by nature’s beauty. Being out on the trail for days at a time can make you appreciate some of the more subtle “joys” of nature.

Haiku from Trail 4
Originally posted on RMYC: The Conservation Chronicles

Mosquitoes are out
Buzzing in my ear won’t stop
Die die die die die

Bacon grease for days
Chillin in the cup holder
My hair has more grease

In the hills with nerds
Showing off our Magic skills
Where is the walmart?

Sawing back and forth
Woodchips flying in my face
Help! It’s stuck in place

Building a turnpike
Giant rocks won’t move themselves
Bra-a-a-a-d

Rendezvous cook off
For your sweet tooth and meat tooth
Deep fried bacon balls

Digging a cathole
Out in nature feels so nice
Uh-oh, have to wipe

Not oatmeal again
Maybe I’ll add more sugar
Nope, still tastes nasty

Squatting in the woods
Found a nice secluded spot
Oh hey, a hiker

Been out in the woods
Starting to lose sanity
Refrigerator

Hikers can’t make jokes
Building an escalator?
Heard that one before

Hiking 14ers
Why did I sign up for this
That’s not the summit?

Morning before work
Troy’s hair looks magnificent
What is his secret?

We all need our meds
Haven’t seen Nathan in weeks
Mail is like Christmas

California Conservation Corps Crews Sent to Silver Fire and Six Other Fires

More than 300 members of the California Conservation Corps — including 100 on Riverside County’s Silver Fire — have been dispatched to assist Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Services on fires throughout the state.

On Southern California’s Silver Fire near Banning, there are eight CCC crews, providing both firefighting assistance and logistical support at the fire camp.  The corpsmembers are working under the direction of Cal Fire.

The CCC is also assigned to the Aspen Fire (Fresno County); Butler Fire (Humboldt County); Dance Fire (Humboldt County); Falls Fire (Riverside County); Power Fire (Tuolumne County); and the Salmon River Complex (Siskiyou County).  These crews are working under the direction of the U.S. Forest Service.

The crews are from 15 different CCC locations: Camarillo, Chico, Fortuna, Fresno, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Stockton,Ukiah, Watsonville and Yreka.

This has been a busy fire season for the CCC, with corpsmembers providing more than 40,000 hours of assistance during July.

Corpsmember Health Insurance Plan

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IMPORTANT UPDATES RE. TCN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
August 1, 2013

The Corps Network’s Health Insurance Plan is designed for AmeriCorps programs with full time members.  Click here for the full Plan Overview.

Update from Chris Rooney at Willis: 

The 2012-2013 policy for The Corps Network Plan has been extended through December 2013.  The current rates and benefits will apply until January 1, 2014.  In the meantime, we are seeking designation for the plan as Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) through HHS for coverage beyond January 1.  We will continue to provide updates as developments occur.

Health care reform has created confusion around coverage for AmeriCorps members and we are aware that at least one insurance plan has communicated its intent to cease providing benefits beyond December 2013.  We’ve been attempting to provide education regarding the issues and available options to state commissions and programs, most recently through webinars hosted by America’s Service Commissions.  We’ve also presented on program director calls to spread the message more directly.  If you are interested in scheduling a similar call or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my colleague Julie Nelson at 1-800-456-1415.

A webinar hosted by America’s Service Commissions is available here.

Update from Carol Huls, TCN’s Member Relations Manager:
September 2013

In order to participate in The Corps Network’s Health Insurance Program you need to be a Member of The Corps Network. Our member categories include Service and Conservation Corps, Affiliate members and AmeriCorps Basic members.  

For the Health Insurance only – you would want the AmeriCorps Basic membership level. Here is the current form: AmeriCorps Basic Membership FY14

Once you have sent the membership form to me, contact Wills directly for complete information on the plan (including enrollment materials).  Contact Chris Rooney (chris.rooney@willis.com) or Julie Nelson (Julie.nelson@willis.com).  1-800-456-1415.

NOTE:  If your State Commission is an Affiliate member of The Corps Network, their membership will extend such that the AmeriCorps members in your state may join The Corps Network as an AmeriCorps Basic Member with no membership dues.  

Check Here to see if your State Commission is already a member.

If you are a representative of a State Commission who is not yet an Affiliate member, please contact me (chuls@corpsnetwork.org) for more information.

70% of DC Green Corps Graduates Find Employment


Left to right: Travis Marcus Freeman, Turrell Antonio Smith, Carl Jackson Jr., RonDell Pooler
 

Congratulations to Travis Freeman, Carl Jackson, and Turrell Smith – the graduating members of Washington Parks and People’s DC Green Corps Cohort #5. The graduates were honored at a ceremony held on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at the Riverside Center, Washington Parks and People’s location in Northeast Washington, DC. The ceremony included remarks from the trainees, as well as from Washington Parks and People staff, grantors and partners.

The three graduates of Cohort #5 each received a certificate acknowledging their completion of DC Green Corps’ 12 week training program. Over the course of the program, Corpsmembers are instructed in tree planting and maintenance; invasive species removal; stream restoration strategies; storm water mitigation techniques; and urban agriculture. The graduates – all of whom are DC residents – leave the program with job readiness skills and a working of understanding of landscaping and urban forestry.

More specifically, the members of Cohort #5 planted 11 native trees at Brookland Manor, in Northeast, DC; and they planted 10 native trees at Kimball Elementary School, in Southeast. They also constructed 24 raised garden beds and completed extensive invasive plant removal at Marvin Gaye Park, in Northeast, and Walter Pierce Park, in Northwest, DC.

According to RonDell Pooler, a Washington Parks and People Field Coordinator, about 70 percent of the 128 trainees that have graduated from DC Green Corps found employment upon completion of the Green Corps training program. Pooler says the graduates have migrated into a wide range of career fields.

“Some are in child care, retail, security, landscaping, maintenance, and a few have started small businesses. Some have even continued their education through college or other vocational training.”

Of the three graduates from Cohort #5, Travis Freeman is enrolled in another training program; Turrell Smith is working as a freelance artist; and Carl Jackson has three part-time jobs, including a position as a host at the Josephine Butler Parks Center, Washington Parks and People’s headquarters. The Cohort started with nine members, but two found employment before the end of the program. All graduating members were unemployed at the start of the program. 
 


The Corps Network’s Carol Huls with the graduates and RonDell Pooler, WPP employee
 

Please join us in welcoming Members who have joined The Corps Network in FY13!

Service and Conservation Corps

Anchorage Park Foundation/Youth Employment in Parks   
Larimer County Conservation Corps            
WisCorps / Wisconsin Conservation Corps  
YouthBuild Lake County                                    
YouthWorks (Santa Fe)               

For a full list of Members by State – click here.  

Affiliate Members – non-profit youth, service and conservation programs

Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps   
Montgomery County Conservation Corps / Latin American Youth Center  
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference  
Repair the World   

Affiliate Members – State Commissions

Office on Volunteerism & Community Service/Virginia DSS    

Affiliate Members – Business Supporters

Green Piranhas /5604 LLC 

For a full list of Affiliates – click here. 
 

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Photos from the Reaching the Summit Community Service Initiative Day in West Virginia

Check out these photos from last week’s Reaching the Summit Community Service Initiative. The project, led by Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia, involved the completion of 350 service projects in five days throughout southern West Virginia. Held in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America’s annual Jamboree, the event brought together Corpsmembers from CCCWV, KUPU – Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps, Northwest Piedmont Service Corps, and AmeriCorps NCCC.

Click here to read more about the event. 
 

 

 

 

Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia Enlists Help from Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps NCCC for Boy Scout Jamboree, 2013 Reach the Summit Initiative

West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin takes a moment for a photo with Corpsmembers and staff from Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia and KUPU / Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps.

Click here to see more photos from the event

For one of their most ambitious projects to date, the Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia (CCCWV) agreed to lead the 2013 Reaching the Summit Community Service Initiative, which will see the completion of over 350 service projects in southern West Virginia this week. According to the organizers of the initiative, “it’s the nation’s largest community service project of its kind in U.S. history.”

“The Initiative is remarkable and the most significant project of its kind in our nation’s history,” said Robert A. Martin, CEO, Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia. “Moving forward, what we accomplish over these five days of service will be a shining example of what can be accomplished when we all work together.”

So who’s helping out? The Boy Scouts of America are hosting their annual Jamboree in conjunction with the event, with an estimated 40,000 scouts descending upon West Virginia for fun and service. Most of the approved work includes outdoor construction, renovation, painting, landscaping or clean-up efforts. The projects are located at cemeteries, parks, schools, humane societies, historic landmarks, ball fields, and other community gathering places.

Knowing they had their hands full, CCCWV also turned to some of their best friends and partners to help out. On Tuesday, the arrival of KUPU’s Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps crew caused quite a splash at the airport, where according to Charleston Gazette reporter Laura Reston, “the teenagers wore yellow leis Tuesday at the gate at Yeager and voiced a Hawaiian chant called an “Oli” to commemorate the entrance to a sacred place…” Noting the strong environmental connection many of the Corpsmembers feel coming from their state, Reston quoted Corpsmember Joshua Bailey-Belista as saying, “If you take care of the land, ‘the land will take care of you.'” They also had a chance to meet the Governor of West Virginia before heading out to Pipestem State Park.

Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service has also headed to the event to tour sites and volunteer. Numerous crews from AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps are also there to help execute and supervise projects.

Mary Ellen Ardouny, President & CEO of The Corps Network, the national association of Service and Conservation Corps will also attend. “This is an amazing event and a large share of the credit should go to Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia which has worked for more than two years to pull this event off seamlessly and by engaging a wide number of partners.”