YouthBuild Corpsmembers Prepare for Graduation

In three weeks, MHYC’s YouthBuild Corpsmembers will be graduating from their program.  Since September, these young men and women have been studying for the GEDs and learning new construction skills.  With a few weeks left, ten Corpsmembers have earned their GED and 17 have earned their AmeriCorps Education Award.  Nearly every Corpsmember is within one or two tests of their GED!

I caught up with two of our Corpsmembers, Eloy Gonzales-Martinez and Abby Lopez, about their time at MHYC and what they have planned for their futures.

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What is the most important thing you learned this year?

Eloy:  Both education and college are extremely important.  No one can take those things away from you.
Abby: You can’t get anywhere in life without having an education.

What is your favorite memory from your time at MHYC?

Eloy: My favorite memory is when I went to the Young Leaders Conference in DC.  It was the best experience of my life.  (Read more of Eloy’s thoughts about the YLC here).
Abby: Making it into the program at the very beginning of the year.  I really wanted my GED!

What are you future plans?

Eloy: I’ve been accepted to the Community College of Denver.  I am going to study there for two years and then transfer to a four year school.  I want to study Anthropology and Archeology.  I also want to stay connected with MHYC by doing another term of service.  I already applied for Summer of Service!  (For more information about our Summer of Service opportunities, click here).
Abby:  I am starting at CCD this fall, as well!  I want to become a Pharmacist.

YouthBuild graduation will be held on May 24, 2013 at St. Catejan’s on the Auraria campus.

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Top 10: Interview Tips

As we approach peak hiring season here at MHYC, we thought it would be fitting to offer some helpful interview tips.  Check out the top 10 tips contributed by MHYC Staff and Corpsmembers :

10. Do your research!  Be familiar with the company’s mission, history and values.

9. Ask questions about the company and position.  You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!

8. Be 10 minutes early.

7. Know yourself.  Be able to turn your weaknesses into something positive.

6. When asked for an example, tell a story.  Everyone loves a good story.

5. Dress for interview success.  The first impression you make on a potential employer can make a big difference.

4. Listen carefully to each question asked. Pause and collect your thoughts before answering. Don’t be afraid to have them repeat the question.

3.  Practice interviewing.  It will help give you a framework for your responses.

2.  Take the time to say thank you. Not only is it good interview etiquette, it reinforces your interest in the position.

1.  It’s ok to be nervous. Breathe and do your best!

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Congratulations are in Order (Part 3 of 3)

The final story of this three part series is about Jesse Roehm. Jesse is one of six 2012 National Corpsmembers of the Year. He will be honored this year at The Corps Network’s National Conference in Washington, D.C. taking place the week of February 11, 2013.  Jesse will represent the 30,000 Corpsmembers who serve annually across the nation. Read below or link here to find out more about Jesse’s story and his lifechanging experience with Mile High Youth Corps.

Jesse Roehm

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Over the past two years, Jesse Roehm has come to Mile High Youth Corps with a dedication to sharing his passion for service. Jesse first came to MHYC in 2011 to serve in our 10-month AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Program. It was evident from the very beginning that Jesse was ready to work hard no matter the project, despite the personal challenges he had to overcome. One Corpsmember shared this story about Jesse:

“At the end of every day I would see him getting back from the day’s work site where he had been cutting down trees for forest thinning. He would always have a smile on his face even though he would crawl out of the van dirtier than anyone else in the van; a strong testament to his ability to work hard all hours of the day while constantly being upbeat and positive. Every day that he comes to work he goes above and beyond what is required of him. His positivity and work ethic are infectious.”

After Jesse’s first term, he was hired as the Conservation Alumni Mentor. In this role Jesse got to continue his work as a positive influence within MHYC as well as the larger community by planning service projects at local non-profits and other community organizations such as Food Bank of the Rockies and ARC Thrift Stores. Jesse took the lead role of coordinating and facilitating MHYC’s first Crew Leader training and implementing MHYC’s Career Day event. He also created and implemented weekly “big picture” activities, helping other Corpsmembers connect to the larger mission of service and see the positive impacts of their service.

Jesse excels at building relationships among a diverse group of peers, showing his understanding of and dedication to the Corps and what it is all about. One of his supervisors says, “Jesse is a true mentor, leader and inspiration to everyone he works with. “

When Jesse’s fellow Corpsmembers were asked what they have learned from him they had to say this:

“He taught me the power of positivity day in and day out and that if you truly care about something to work hard every day to achieve it, you can not only create change in your community but can excite and inspire others to do the same.”

“Jesse taught me to stay positive through thick and thin, keep a level head and always look on the good side.”

“He showed me how to be a great communicator and not to be afraid to step up to the plate and say and do what is needed in a leadership role.”

“I feel lucky to have Jesse as a mentor, I think he truly believes in the influence that Mile High Youth Corps and AmeriCorps can have on young adults, and his belief comes through in his overwhelming concern and compassion towards every single Corpsmember. He has been a key agent in helping me to always see the bigger picture and to understand truly what service means. Jesse had made a huge impact on me and how I have come to view my own term of service.”

Jesse has worked tirelessly over the past two years to help his fellow Corpsmembers recognize the impact they can have on their community and themselves. As a result of his passion for service, dedication to the Corps and exceptional work ethic, Jesse has been hired to continue his work with Mile High Youth Corps as a staff member. He will serve as the Programs Specialist: Conservation and his job duties will include the supervision and program management of the two roles that he filled as a Corpsmember, the AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation crew and the Conservation Alumni Mentor.

Congratulations Jesse! You have a heart for service and your ability to connect to young adults will continue to inspire us and the nation.

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WE’RE HIRING!!

Mile High Youth Corps is now accepting applications for multiple youth positions in two separate programs.

The AmeriCorps Leadership & Conservation program is a demanding, team-based, leadership experience providing diverse service opportunities in education, community outreach, youth development, and physical labor to achieve a common goal: environmental conservation.  ACLCs have the opportunity to work across all of our other programs and play an integral leadership role at Mile High Youth Corps. The position is a 10-month commitment, earns a bi-weekly stipend of $553.07, and is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,550. Corpsmembers must be able to serve from January 28, 2013 to December 13, 2013.

The Energy & Water Conservation program gives young people the chance to help residents in the Denver Metro Area to upgrade their homes and save money. Corpsmembers will perform efficiency upgrades on utilities in homes to reduce utility bills and benefit the environment. In addition, energy and water crews educate clients on conservation measures, which will help residents further reduce their consumption and costs. Positions are a 5-month commitment, earn a stipend ranging between $256-$288 per week, and are eligible for a $2,114.00 AmeriCorps Education Award. Corpsmembers must be available to serve from January 28, 2013 to June 28, 2013. For all positions, for which we are currently hiring, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 24 and must have either their GED or High School Diploma by the start date for each program.

Click here for more information about these and all open positions at Mile High Youth Corps.

Check out these pictures to get an idea for some of the projects you would be working on.

Taking a break after installing a high-efficiency toilet!

Removing some noxious weeds.

About to install a high-efficiency toilet!

Cutting down some trees to prevent wild fires.

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2nd Annual Career Day

Last week, MHYC’s Leadership Council hosted our 2nd Annual Career Day!

Corpsmembers from across the agency had the chance to sit down with staff members in small groups to learn what makes MHYC run smoothly. Staff members from each department explained their roles within the organization and answered Corpsmembers’ questions about work experience and higher education. Corpsmembers also used the time to discuss their plans for life after MHYC.

Check out this quick slideshow below to get a peek into the inner workings of MHYC!

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YouthBuild Promotion

After a lengthy application process which included numerous interviews, an orientation, 3 weeks of Mental Toughness, and 1 week of training, we are excited to announce that we have promoted 36 new YouthBuild Corpsmembers! We are very proud of the hard work and commitment our new YouthBuild Corpsmsmbers have made over the past few weeks. We are also very excited to see all of our Corpsmembers make an impact around our community, grow their job skills, and work toward earning their GED or Diploma. Congratulations to all of our new YouthBuild Corpsmembers! Below are several pictures from Mental Toughness and Training week.

Meeting Denver City Councilman Paul D. Lopez

Working hard cleaning up our water systems.

Spending time the classroom.

Even more work in the classroom.

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Top Ten Sports to Watch in the Olympics

As the Summer Olympics came to a close in London we asked our Corpsmembers what were their favorite sports to watch. They even wanted to demonstrate their athletic skills in their favorite sports. Check out the Top Ten Sports to watch in the Olympics as reported by our Corpsmembers.

#10) Shotput

#9) Javelin

#8)Weightlifting

#7) Fencing

#6) Track

#5) Volleyball

#4) Diving

#3) Cycling

#2) Synchronized Diving

#1) Gymnastics

Thanks to all of our Mile High Youth Corps athletes for showing us their skills. Hope to see you in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio!

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Beetle Kill: Recycled Uses

As you know, our sawyer crews in Denver and Colorado Springs remove tons of trees every year, and I mean literally tons. So what happens to all of these trees we cut down?

Well, a very large portion gets recycled and the trees are used to make a whole host of things, from furniture to toys and even houses. Here’s a quick look at some of the fun, alternative uses for beetle kill wood:

Lumber

Certainly the most traditional use of trees, lumber is a huge part of recycling beetle kill pine in Colorado. Beetle kill wood has a blueish tint because of a fungus secreted by the beetles. While it looks different on the outside, it is still structurally sound and can be used in framing and home construction. Not to mention it provides much-needed work for local lumber mills and cuts down on transportation costs. For more, check out this article on Jetson Green.

Furniture

The blue hue of beetle kill wood is a welcome change for some Colorado furniture makers and many customers are jumping on board as well. Traditional wood furniture gets a eye-catching upgrade courtesy of the Rocky Mountain pine beetle. You can spot beetle kill in everything from tables and chairs to bunk beds, entertainment centers, and book shelves. You can find the piece above and more at Alpine Furniture Co.

Housewares

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Beetle kill wood doesn’t stop at lumber and furniture; some of Colorado’s finest craftsmen are turning out beautiful wood bowls, wine racks, kitchen magnets, and coasters. Many local woodworkers sell their products, like ones we’ve featured, on Etsy.

For more beautiful uses of beetle kill wood, take a look at these articles on TreeHugger and The Denver Post.

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MHYC Provides Energy Efficiency Services to Colfax Businesses

You probably know that MHYC helps Denver-area residents reduce their energy consumption, but did you know that we work with local businesses, too? Our new(ish) GreenFAX program is a collaborative sustainability outreach effort led by the four business districts and associations along Colfax Avenue in partnership with the City and County of Denver’s Denver Energy Challenge.

MHYC GreenFAX crews are helping small businesses and property owners along Colfax Avenue identify opportunities for energy and cost savings through the following FREE services:

• Xcel Energy Lighting Audit – Taking a count of all the lighting fixtures that qualify for rebates and free replacements through Xcel Energy
• Denver Water Audit – Auditing toilets to  see if they qualify for a free high efficiency replacement through Denver Water.
• Outreach Support – Canvassing with materials promoting the Denver Energy Challenge’s GreenFAX Program.
• Energy Efficiency Upgrades – Installing programmable thermostats, high-efficiency lighting, LED exit signs, weather-stripping, door sweeps, faucet aerators, and kitchen spray valves

And, we’re making a difference.  Businesses are seeing dramatic reductions in their energy costs through these efforts.  As Mr. Feivel Gallard of Congregation Zera Abraham explains,

Our usage of lighting has gone down 25 percent after changing the light bulbs in the synagogue. It’s a very generous energy program that the city provides. We couldn’t afford to do it without all the savings from the rebates. You often hear about government programs being wasteful, but this was all benefit and no waste.”

Members of MHYC's GreenFAX crew prepare for a day out in the field.

So, next time you are on Colfax at the Fillmore Auditorium, Hollywood’s Barber Shop, Pinche Taco Bar, Brilliant Blooms, or any of the dozens of businesses our GreenFAX crews have serviced, take a look around.  You’ll know a business took part in the Denver Energy Challenge anywhere you see a window decal with the program’s logo. The changes may be subtle, but the impact is tremendous.

For more information on the Denver Energy Challenge, visit www.denverenergy.org.

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Looking for a Paid, Unique Leadership Experience? Become an ACLC!

Mile High Youth Corps is full of diverse job opportunities in order for it to run smoothly as a growing nonprofit. MHYC requires folks who can work in management, finance, program development, employee recruitment, marketing, direct conservation service and more. One program exists to blend the direct service with the operations of a nonprofit: the AmeriCorps Conservation and Leadership Corpsmember (ACLC) program. MHYC-Colorado Springs is currently seeking to hire two ACLC’s for a six-month 2012 term of service.

In Colorado Springs, the ACLC program is a demanding leadership experience providing diverse service opportunities in education, community outreach, nonprofit management, youth development and physical land conservation projects to achieve a common goal: youth employment in environmental conservation.

Aside from mixing two ends of the MHYC operating spectrum, this program might be the most unique due to the time frame it requires. Most Corpsmembers and crew leaders who work at MHYC-CS work only during either the summer or fall months. An ACLC in Colorado Springs however, works for six months: from the end of April through the second week of October, as they are expected to not only work in the field with the crews, but they assist with operations of MHYC-CS, as well.

ACLCs actively participate in and facilitate weekly environmental education and team building activities, assist various staff in recruitment and hiring of summer Corpsmembers, plan and lead service projects, and work toward future career goals, while learning what it takes to make successful programs and projects happen in the nonprofit/environmental conservation world. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong personal work ethic, a commitment to service, self development, and team work.

If you are between 19 and 24 years of age and are interested in this position, please read more into the job description. For more information, visit www.milehighyouthcorps.org or call 719-630-7421. To apply, visit the website and in the top, right-hand corner, click “Apply Now.” Be sure to select Colorado Springs for Field Location and for position title: AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation – Colorado Springs.

The 2011 Colorado Springs ACLC, Johnston Robare, aides Nate Howeya in fence building at Chico Basin Ranch. Aside from spending time in the field with the crews, Johnston also spent quite a bit of time in the office to help operations run smoothly.

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