The East Bay Regional Park District is chopping down the popular Youth Employment Project (YEP) that's already helped more than 100 at-risk youth.
We can save this critical job training program for at-risk youth in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Send your email to your elected officials at the East Bay Regional Park District now!
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!
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.
East Bay Park professionals provide youth crews with an opportunity to connect with nature, discover local resources, and build long term relationships with others and the outdoors. Youth crews get paid hands-on job training, mentorship, and exposure to careers in parks, recreation, and environmental education.
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.
Keep Youth Employment Program Part of East Bay Parks
Dear Elected East Bay Regional Park District Board Members:
I am urging you to save the Youth Employment Program (YEP) by keeping it inside the East Bay Regional Park District with the current YEP Supervisor. East Bay Park experts are the ones who should continue to lead this successful job training program for at-risk youth in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Over the last 10 years, park staff have trained more than 100 at-risk youth. Young adults from park communities have worked nearly 12,000 hours planting native species, clearing fire hazards, and building trails.
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. Retaining the YEP Supervisor at the East Bay Regional Park District will ensure that youth crews get park expert-led job training and mentorship. 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.
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
