Students learn the ways of NPS at California recruitment event

Tyler Nicole Smith (middle) and Naima Ozier (right) on a boat ride to Channel Islands

By Sauda Jackson, GYF Youth Programs Manager

Recently I accompanied two interns from the Greening Youth Foundation on a trip across the country to Los Angeles to participate in a recruitment event sponsored by the National Park Service. The college students were Naima Ozier, a junior Writing and Linguistics major from Georgia Southern University, and Tyler Nicole Smith, a sophomore Economics major at Spelman College and L.A. native. The program is one of the major initiatives of the National Park Service’s “Strategic Recruitment Plan,” which stages NPS recruitment events featuring students selected by faculty or staff members from partnering institutions or organizations familiar with the National Park Service and its mission.

Although fun and scenic, this was not a field trip. The Recruitment Event had specific goals, which included the recruitment and training of diverse students from educational institutions and organizations for placement and retention in the National Park Service. There were approximately 75 young people and staff from HBCUs, universities and youth organizations from around the country. Their time was spent learning about the mission of the National Park Service; what it is like to be an NPS employee; what it means to work for the Federal Government; and what the ongoing issues are in National Parks.

The event began with introductions from the staff that had also come from all over the country. The students learned that the Santa Monica Mountain Recreation Area and Channel Islands are located in L.A.’s “backyard.” Our base was the beautiful California State University Channel Islands, where many of the youth had the opportunity to network and get to know each other over games of spades and splashes in the pool. As we visited each site we were given a clearer idea of NPS park employee life, through ranger talks, film and some hands-on activities. As the students engaged each ranger with questions about their duties, they were clued in on the academic requirements for those positions. We participated in a revegetation service project at the Santa Monica site, witnessed a bird capture and tagging project, and hiked the trails.

Capturing a field mouse

When we visited the Paramount Ranch, the location of many Western movies, we learned a bit about the film industry, fire management, law enforcement, and the skills necessary for those positions. The highlight was a hungry squirrel making a strange howling noise while we ate lunch.

We caught a boat to Santa Cruz Island, part of the five Channel Islands located in the Santa Barbara Channel on the Pacific Ocean. GYF participant Naima Ozier got drenched trying to get a good view. “Though I shivered the whole way, I enjoyed my first time being on a boat,” she said.

Along the way we encountered the California sea lion and the great brown pelican. Once on the island we were treated to up close sightings of the Island fox, given a demonstration and crafts lesson by a Chumash Indian elder, and we hiked the four-mile Scorpion Canyon. “After we walked up one of the many hills that dotted the island of Santa Cruz, I was left speechless by the view,” Naima said. “It was spectacular. Though this island was small, barely noticed, it was really beautiful.”

The students learned of the types of jobs and commitment required to take on a position in a remote area of the National Park Service. Each student was paired with a National Park Service mentor from the Recruitment Futures Implementation Team (RFIT). After the event they will be provided with career advice, skills enhancement, and job placement assistance in order to aid them in the NPS hiring process. The goal is that these young participants will commit to summer employment with the National Park Service, as soon as next year.

Though a Los Angeles native, GYF participant Tyler Nicole Smith had never been to either Santa Monica Mountains or Channel Islands National Park. She was so ecstatic about her experiences on the trip that she has committed to continue working with GYF with our school-based educational program through the Bonner Scholars.

Two GYF students learn nonviolence techniques at King Center

By Yan Yang

With the purpose of reducing all forms of personal and community violence, the King Center and Emory University organized The Kingian Nonviolence Teaching and Education Certification for Adults and Youth from July 26 to July 30 at the King Center’s Freedom Hall in Atlanta. Two students from Greening Youth Foundation, Lapetra Bois and Brittany Briscoe, got the opportunity to participate in this program because of the leadership qualities they demonstrated during an internship with GYF.

At the end of the week, Lapetra also received a lovely surprise—because of her completion of the training, she was awarded an all-expense-paid trip next June to South Africa, where the King Center has another center for nonviolence.

The week fused extensive discussions, debates and lectures. Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. and Captain (retired) Charles Alphin, Sr. talked to the students about ways that violence affects the world and its communities. Martin Luther King, III, also attended this training to talk about alternatives to violence.

“He asked me, ‘How are you doing?’ and I said, ‘I am doing GREAT!’ with a big smile,” Lapetra said excitedly. “You do not have this kind of chance so much in your life.”

King told the students that when he was young, he chose to go to Ebenezer Church and be immersed in love, instead of using violence. He also he did a great deal of community service to give back to society. These stories motivated students to be young leaders in reducing violence.

In addition, students had to participate in several debates on such topics as “alternatives to violence” and “how to help the community reduce violence.” Through the sharing of opinions, the students gained a deeper understanding of the philosophy and methodology of nonviolence, as well as skills that they could apply in the future to reduce conflicts.

“I was nervous when I presented, but eventually I overcame the fear,” said Lapetra.

In fact, one goal of the training was to prepare students to conduct a four-hour presentation to their peers and middle school students. The debates helped students improve their presentation skills to achieve this goal.

More than 100 people attended the training, some from as far away as New York. Students communicated with each other extensively to understand their diverse backgrounds and life stories. In the teambuilding activities, Brittany was shocked to find out that some of the peers had friends who were killed in conflicts. This helped the students realize how serious is the issue of violence and urged them to reduce the violence in their communities.

During their internship with GYF, Lepetra and Brittany had actively participated in debate exercises and discussions on teen issues. The Kingian Nonviolence training sharpened their thoughts on current issues and equipped them with skills and motivation to deal with conflict in nonviolent ways.

Crew’s hard work is paying off

The superintendent in Chattahoochee talks to GYF interns

By Yan Yang

When the Greening Youth Foundation sent eight young people to work in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, the mission was clear: chop enough trees at two of the park’s sites so that visitors would be able to see the trenches and cannon imprints from the Civil War.

But more than a month into their internship, the GYF crew has worked with such efficiency and vigor that they have far exceeded expectations. They’ve already cleaned the two assigned sites, 24-Gun Battery and Pigeon Hill, and have moved on to a third one, called Cheatham Hill.

The GYF crew, working through the Youth Conservation Corps in a partnership between GYF and Kennesaw, consists of two college students who are crew leaders and six young people who are current high school students or recent graduates. Stanley Bond, Superintendent of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, explained that the crew’s task was crucial because visitors need to be able to get a sense of the site’s historical significance.

“Unlike other national parks such as Chattahoochee, Kennesaw is a cultural site,” Bond said. “Therefore, we cannot just leave the trees growing on the trace. We need to chop little trees before they are too big.”

The GYF young people have been a great help to Kennesaw. Team leader Derek Cox, a student at LaGrange College, said the team is very hardworking. “At first, the plan was three weeks in 24 Gun Battery and three weeks in Pigeon Hill,” he said. “But we finished both sites in four weeks.”

Their first day on the job, the trees were so dense that when a heavy downpour reached the park, the crew could only feel a light drizzle. The young people said clearing trees can be very tiring, especially when the temperature is over 90 degrees. Everyday, Derek has to get up at 4:30 am to pick up his fellow co-workers. Together they start work at 7:30 am. The team is made up of four boys and four girls; the young people say they have worked together very well. Usually boys cut trees and girls move them out of the forest.

“It is very rewarding to see a site clean after one day’s hard work,” said Derek.

The superintendent also had high praise for their progress. “They did a great job!” Superintendent Bond said. “I wish they could continue working for us.”

Now visitors can clearly see the trenches at 24-Gun Battery

At times the crew has encountered some danger in the forest, such as colonies of bees hidden by leaves or dead wood and even a 6-foot black snake. Face to face with the snake, the crew member moved out of its way and simply stared.

“But in general, working in the forest is fun,” Derek said. “We can even see deer now and then.”

In addition to hard labor, these youngsters also have opportunities to explore careers in the National Park Service. Every Friday, a guest speaker comes to talk about such topics as how to start a career in the NPS, how to conserve natural resources, and what a superintendent does. Also, the youngsters visit other national parks to learn about the history and the projects there. Everyone agreed that the day in Chattahoochee was the most interesting and relaxing since they listened to stories about the site while they were rafting the winding river.

The young people said they are grateful that their eyes have been opened up to the need to preserve our national parks and also to possible careers in conservation.

By Yan Yang

Since nine youngsters from the Mayor’s Youth Program began working with the Greening Youth Foundation in early June, their summer has been filled with an impressive diversity of interesting activities.

As an environmental non-profit organization, GYF aims to transform students into future stewards of the environment. With the eight high school students and one college student intern from the Mayor’s Youth Program, GYF also hopes to deliver working skills and direct students to the right track in their educational careers. To that end, GYF structured a summer work experience filled with a variety of activities so that the students not only learn about environment, conservation, and beautification, but also explore different businesses and get counseling for future careers.

To combine learning with pleasure, GYF partnered with Providence Missionary Baptist Church to teach the students how to grow crops. In the first class, students were taught how to recognize some common vegetables and fruits. They also weeded morning glories in the peanut field. Since the students have only seen produce in the supermarket, this experience helped connect them with nature.

Youngsters working in the garden of Providence Missionary Baptist Church.

In another class, Ruth Kitchen, GYF’s Education Director, introduced them to a bin of worms in the soil to teach them about composting. Students were asked to pick the worms out from soil, put them in another bin and feed them with cabbage. The odor, along with their fear and excitement, made this lesson memorable. Through these intimate “conversations” with the environment, students can feel the wonder of nature and realize the importance of protecting the environment.

In addition to environment-related projects, students have had the opportunity to explore different Atlanta businesses and service the community. Every week, several students volunteer in WRFG, a local radio station. They not only help clean and answer the phones, but they also learn about the organization of a radio station and about career opportunities in mass communications. Everyone who works at WRFG is completely voluntary. There are no paid employees. Community members buy CDs and broadcast them through the station simply because they love music. The students were surprised to learn that some people have worked there for as long as 20 years. WRFG is a great example of dedication and passion, which are the crucial qualities in any career.

Another stimulating activity that has engaged the students have been weekly debates on environmental issues. Divided into two groups, students do research on the Internet and present their arguments, rebuttals, and conclusions. The presentations have given the students the opportunity to work on their public speaking.

“I was nervous and shivering,” said Traniqua Bolston, “but it was a good experience.”

In the third week, the students debated on a public street corner in Little Five Points, recreating the old street-corner soapbox speakers who used to be prevalent in many cities. Facing this challenge, the students performed very well. Sauda Jackson, GYF’s Youth Programs Manager, recalled that some of them showed great improvement in their presentations. Before this summer program, most of them would not have been willing to speak in public. However, now they can speak more clearly and exude an aura of confidence, which will be helpful in most careers.

Debate on a public street

From picking up trash in Inman Park Station to regular neighborhood jogs, from volunteering in different organizations to receiving career counseling, the youngsters from the Mayor’s Youth Program are having a memorable summer that undoubtedly will have a positive impact on their future endeavors.