2012 HIGHLIGHTS

In summer 2012, 224 youth were employed at 75 host sites across Sonoma County by the Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps (SCYEC). The youth worked for eight weeks restoring the environment. In addition, they received environmentaleducation and job-readiness training, and had access to a lifelong online career assessment program.Bythe end of the summer program, youth improved their work skills, built relationships, earned income for their families,developed plans for the future, and enjoyed the program. In addition, the young people improved their community by restoring creek habitat, maintaining trails and cleaning parks and public lands.

The 2012 SCYEC was maintained by a broad partnership,including the following Sonoma County agencies: the Water Agency, Human Services Department, Workforce Investment Board, and Office of Education,New Ways to Work, six-youth serving agencies, and project hosts. The program was supported with funds from six organizations.

PROGRAM FACTS

  • 209 youth in ecology crews and 15 individual placements
  • 29% had one to three years previous experience with the SCYEC
  • 77% met criteria for at least one target group (IEP/Disability, Foster youth, CalWORKs, Pregnant/Parenting, and Justice System)

WORK-READINESS

  • By the end of the program, when measured on X work skills,92% of youth were rated“entry level or exceeds entry level”
  • On average, youth improved about 1.5 skill levels enduring the program

ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES

  • Youth’s environmental knowledge increased
  • 75% of youth reported that they were planning to attend school (GED prep, high school, community college, 4 year college, vocational) after SCYEC
  • Of youth that finished the summer program, 94% said they spent their money on their own household expenses, helped their family, and/or saved their money

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE

  • 54 % of youth said their favorite part of the SCYEC was making friends and being a part of a crew
  • 27%reported that one of the best benefits was the money, as it allowed them to pay bills and help their family
  • 80% of youth stated they would return to SCYEC and 95% would recommend the program to a friend

BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

In 2012, SCYEC crews collectively accomplished the following work for their communities:

  • Maintained 11.6 miles of waterway
  • Maintained 11.6 miles of trail
  • Cleared 10.3 acres of land
  • Planted 246 plants
  • Pruned 7,339 plants
  • Removed 10,061 invasive plants, in addition to .395 acres of invasive plants
  • Harvested 208 crops and 8 different vegetables twice a week
  • Removed 545.2 cubic yards of debris or garbage

INVESTMENT

  • $316,296 from the Water Agency to fund youth participation and fund the evaluation
  • $293,247 from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to fund youth participation
  • $146,270 from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to fund youth participation
  • $7,274 from the Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Commission to fund youth participation on projects that benefit threatened or endangered fish
  • $20,000 from the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to fund youth participation

PROJECT HOSTS

CREW WORK

City of Cloverdale, Parks and Landscape District

City of Healdsburg, Parks and Recreation District

City of Rohnert Park

Cotati Creek Critters

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation

Land Paths

Petaluma Bounty

Russian Riverkeeper Stewardship Park

Sonoma County Agriculture and Open Space District

Sonoma County Regional Parks

Sonoma County Water Agency

Sonoma Land Trust

Sonoma State University, Field Stations and Nature Preserve

Sunflower Community Garden

The Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship, Native Plant Nursery

Town of Windsor, Parks Maintenance

INDIVIUAL PLACEMENTS

Boys and Girls Club

Earle Baum Center

Mentor Me Petaluma

On the Move/VOICES

Social Advocates for Youth

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods

YOUTH AGENCIES

The Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship

Petaluma People Services Center

Social Advocates for Youth

Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development

West County Community Services

Conservation Corps North Bay