NYC Youth in the Environment Initiative

NYC Youth in the Environment Initiative

Program Name: New York City "Youth-in-the-Environment Initiative"

Funders: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 & New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)

Geographic Scope: New York City (Bronx)

Program Duration: 19+ years of operation; 7-week summer program

Target Audience:

Inner city high school students ages 14-22

Bronx community youth

Priority given to disadvantaged youth meeting NYC Department of Labor criteria

Overview:
Summer youth employment and training project designed to:

Meet workforce needs in water pollution control field

Increase environmental education of students

Introduce inner city high school students to occupational opportunities in water pollution control

Expose youth to environmental occupations and environmental justice issues

Build community understanding of water quality and public health protection value of wastewater treatment

Program Structure:

43 Bronx community youth participate (may vary year to year)

6 hours per day, 4 days per week for 7 weeks

Work at NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sites

Wages and insurance provided by Woodycrest Center for Human Development, Inc.

PETE provides work clothes and transportation passes

Youth Coordinators (PETE summer employees) assigned to oversee participants

Work Sites & Departments:

Wards Island: Marine Transportation, Microbiology Lab, Research Lab, Shoreline Monitoring, Pretreatment, Instrumentation, Safety/Training

North River Wastewater Treatment Facility: Process Lab, Microbiology Lab, Administrative Offices

Bureau of Customer Service-Water Department: Administrative units, customer service, metering

Work Activities:

Laboratory work: sample collection, testing, preparation

Shoreline monitoring and pretreatment inspections

Administrative support and clerical work

Data tracking and computer support

Customer service and metering inspection

Training Components:

General work skills training

Environmental technology education/training

Environmental career information

College access opportunities

Life skills development

Outcomes:

Recognition Day celebration with EPA Certificates of Completion

Past participants have: stayed in school, returned to school, pursued higher education, secured full-time employment

Some participants considered for full-time employment by NYC DEP

Partner Organizations:

NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Woodycrest Center for Human Development, Inc.

Bronx Community College

U.S. EPA Region 2

NEIWPCC

NYC Department of Labor

State of New York Department of Labor

U.S. Department of Labor

Contact Information:

Phone: 207.771.9020

Email: natlpete@maine.rr.com