GREENING YOUTH FOUNDATION
PUBLIC SCHOOL INITIATIVE
This has been another spectacular year engaging youth from 20 metro Atlanta schools in environmental and wellness programming. Eco-Force Clubs were alive with conducting school wide recycling, tending gardens, conducting water purification projects, participating in an art show, sponsoring a school wide trash pick-up, planting trees, being highlighted in Atlanta Parent Magazine, and the list goes on. The best part of Eco-Force for Tequan Walker at Coan Middle School was, “I have learned a lot and met some really great people.” According to another Coan Eco-Forcer, Malik Andrews, “It has been a good experience, and I want to continue in the club next year.”
The success of the Eco-Force Program is evident in the request to establish clubs in Ghana and Liberia. Sauda Jackson, GYF’s Youth Program Manager states, “We have an opportunity to bridge the gap between U.S. issues and the world’s issues as it relate to the environment.” GYF is also partnering with Earth Savers to pilot collaboration between an Eco-Force Club in Atlanta and an Earth Savers Club in Gwinnett. The tentacles for change are extending locally and internationally.
Out of the 20 schools, 8 received the C.L.E.A.N. (Children Living Energetically Advancing Nature) Program. This 12 week program engages 3rd grade students in hands-on, very fun environmental and wellness lessons. Children make landfills, play Recycle Relay, compete in Energy Hog Jeopardy, wiggle with the worms, enjoy a healthy snack, and so much more. Alex Bush, one of the C.L.E.A.N. instructors, recaps the year with, “The CLEAN program is definitely a good and productive way to interact positively with impressionable young minds by not only teaching them, but learning from our youth a well.”
The 3rd Annual Earth Day Fun Festival on April 30th brought many of the Eco-Force Clubs together to enjoy a day of recycling, carnival games, vendor displays, and tasty food.
Greening Youth Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who stepped in to lead Eco-Force and C.L.E.A.N. Programs in the schools. The following individuals worked diligently to create lessons and lead projects that are preparing our next generation of environmental/wellness leaders.
Anna Hartrampf
Tabitha Schwartz
Rebecca Ward
Tyleka Moore
Mikenzie Lewis
Sarah Wilgus
Jenny Qiao
Kathy Tran
Layal Kaba
Venita Blanson
Taylor Wimbly
Diana Sainhil
Shelbi Augustus
Crystal Sims
Mislie Jean-Baptiste
Shantel Monk
Jacqueline Quander
One World Link
Alex Bush and Garrett Shepard
United Way
DeMarcus Thompson
Michael Hill
