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