For the last 10 years, East Bay Park workers have led and managed more than 100 at-risk youth working nearly 12,000 hours planting native species, clearing fire hazards, and building trails.
Youth crew members come from low income families in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.They also frequently face employment barriers such as access to technology, disconnection from education, and LGBTQ+ discrimination. Some also have experience with homelessness, incarceration, and the foster system, putting them at increased risk.
Now district managers are chopping down the popular Youth Employment Project (YEP) that's already helped more than 100 at-risk youth.
It's up to us to tell our elected officials at the East Bay Regional Park District to step in and save this critical program.
East Bay Park staff train dozens of at-risk youth from park communities every year, helping them gain important skills and job references. In fact, some YEP graduates now work full time at our parks!
The only cost to the Park District is the YEP Supervisor; youth crew member wages are already paid for through a federal grant.
But now our elected park district officials must step in to save our well-loved Youth Employment Program and direct the Park District to keep the YEP Supervisor position.
Help save East Bay Parks' Youth Employment Program by sending your email now.
Dear Elected East Bay Regional Park District Board Members:
Park district managers are cutting the successful Youth Employment Program that's already helped 100 at-risk youth. Retaining the YEP Supervisor at the East Bay Regional Park District will ensure that youth crews get park expert-led job training and mentorship.
It's up to you to step in and save this critical program for our communities. Young adults from park communities have worked nearly 12,000 hours planting native species, clearing fire hazards, and building trails. This exposure to careers in parks, recreation, and environmental education has been life-changing for East Bay youth, and increased the quality of our parks.
East Bay Park experts are the ones who should continue to lead the Youth Employment Program, a successful job training program for at-risk youth in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Youth crew member recruitment and wages are already paid for. The only cost to the Park District is the YEP Supervisor's time.
You can keep the Youth Employment Project thriving by keeping it inside the East Bay Regional Park District.
Please let me know that you will save the Youth Employment Program by keeping it inside the East Bay Park District with the YEP Supervisor.
Sincerely,
Name
