Grand Junction Youth Recognized for Conservation Work

Colorado Youth Corps Association 

Honors Corpsmember From
Western Colorado Conservation Corps

Youth Corps Awards Ceremony Monday, Feb. 6

[Grand Junction], Colo.– The Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) honors its 2011 Corpsmembers of the Year and Champions at the annual Youth Corps Awards Ceremony Monday, Feb. 6 at 8:15 a.m. at the Colorado State Capitol Old Supreme Court Chambers (second floor). CYCA will honor 10 young people from across the state as 2011 Corpsmembers of the Year including Levi Garrick from the Western Colorado Conservation Corps of Mesa County Partners.                                 

Regional Field Coordinator Eric Hughes said “Levi leads by example, has a positive attitude, and is always willing to learn… [he] is the ideal crew member.” 

“We look forward to seeing his achievements.” - Field Coordinator Matt Jennings. 

“Levi is an outstanding crew member, who truly deserves the recognition afforded by this great honor. Of the 197 corpsmembers employed this year, Levi was chosen as Corpsmember of the Year for his dedicated work ethic, leadership, willingness to learn, and always going beyond what is required.  The staff here at the Corps are confident that he will go far with qualities so exemplary and rare.” - Director Trevor Wickersham.

Joining Levi Garrick in receiving 2011 Corpsmember of the Year awards are:

• Connor Bernard, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
• Sam Eggleston, Larimer County Youth Conservation Corps
• Nikolai Harroun, Boulder County Youth Corps
• Janari McCampbel, Mile High Youth Corps-Colorado Springs
• Sam Meyer, Steamboat Springs Community Youth Corps
• Sarah Simko, Southwest Conservation Corps-Los Valles
• Kyle Sullivan, Weld County Youth Conservation Corps
• Alex Totoiu, Southwest Conservation Corps-Four Corners
• Samuel Vasquez, Mile High Youth Corps-Denver

“In many cases, these corpsmembers overcame personal barriers and capitalized on support from their youth corps to serve our state, further their education, learn to work hard, and look toward bright futures,” said Jennifer Freeman, CYCA executive director.      

In addition, Helen Hankins, Colorado State Director of the Bureau of Land Management, will be honored as the 2011 Champion for Youth. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Great Outdoors Colorado will receive Partner of the Year awards.

“We are thrilled to honor Helen Hankins, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Great Outdoors Colorado for their ongoing commitment to employing young people on public lands,” said Freeman. “They understand that youth and young adults have the power to effect positive change while working toward solutions to the critical land, water and energy issues facing our state.”

CYCA selected Ms. Hankins for her extraordinary commitment to utilizing youth corps as crew labor and also helping young people chart a course for higher education and careers through the Bureau of Land Management’s pilot Diversity Internship Partnership Program.

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Great Outdoors Colorado are honored for recognizing that youth and young adults can make a significant contribution to the improvement of our state’s recreation infrastructure, wildlife habitat, forest health, and riparian areas. The work of these individuals and organizations has helped hundreds of young people gain jobs, job training, life skills, college scholarships, and high school and college credits.

About Western Colorado Conservation Corps of Mesa Co. Partners

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps provides young men and women ages 14-25 with the opportunity to work and learn in an outside setting on and about local conservation projects. WCCC offers a variety of education programs in conjunction with job/career training. Employees of WCCC will be given the tools necessary for the successful completion of high school, have the opportunity to earn their GED, learn about eco-conscious recreation and current conservation issues, and be given the option to earn an AmeriCorps Education Award for higher learning.

Our Goals are to:

•  Provide meaningful work in and around the community.
•  Teach skills for future employment and/or education.
•  Foster respect and understanding of environmental stewardship.
•  Build relationships and participate in team-minded work between people of varied backgrounds.
•  Teach a strong work ethic and instill a sense of pride in accomplishments; promote community involvement and development.
•  Bring together local conservation and community service agencies, non-profit organizations, and community members.

http://wcccpartners.org

About Colorado Youth Corps Association

The Colorado Youth Corps Association is a statewide coalition of 10 accredited youth conservation corps that employ and train youth and young adults on land, water and energy conservation projects. Youth corps is a proven strategy for engaging young people in service to their communities and stewardship of their environment while cultivating valuable skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century. For more information about CYCA, the statewide youth corps coalition, or the Youth Corps Awards Ceremony, contact Jennifer Freeman (303) 863-0602 or jfreeman@cyca.org or visit www.CYCA.org.