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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MHYC Participates in Global Youth Service Day

April 26-28th marks Global Youth Service Day 2013, the largest day of service in the world and the only service event specifically dedicated to children and youth ages 5-25.  In honor of the event, MHYC took part in five different service projects throughout Denver.  Take a look below to see how our Corpmembers and Staff lent their helpful hands today:

Picking up trash, sweeping, and checking for graffiti at our Adopt-A-Spot location.

Weeding and helping to install an irrigation system for the Boys and Girls Club.

Sorting food donations, preparing pallets of food orders, packing boxes of food orders at Food Bank of the Rockies.

Landscaping and maintaining trails at the Bluff Lake Nature Center.

Helping Denver Urban Gardens lay gravel pathways for an existing community garden.

And check out the video of why our Corpsmembers serve:

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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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Lauren Johnson: Sawyer Experience Alumni Spotlight

We often hear “chainsaw” and automatically picture horror movies that have left us with a fear of people with chainsaws. Fortunately, that didn’t scare away Lauren Johnson, a Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) Alumna, who began at MHYC in 2011 as a Fall Forestry Sawyer and continued to serve with MHYC as AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Corpsmember in 2012. She reminisces about her experience as a Sawyer throughout her two terms at Mile High Youth Corps.

There’s no denying that moment of nervous hesitation when accepting the offer to be a sawyer on a summer chainsaw crew for MHYC. For a large number of people the fear resides in never having touched a chainsaw, let alone ever using one. For others, it’s in the unaccredited notion that cutting down trees is a man’s job. These fears are quite normal. The greatest thing though, is when these fears transform into a powerful eagerness to do what you thought you couldn’t do.

I am an advocate for the Mile High Youth Corps saw crew experience. There is just no way words can justify how uniquely special this job can be. As a Fall Forestry sawyer in 2011 as well as a saw crew ACLC in 2012, I created some of the most memorable moments of my life. From the moment I wrapped my fingers around my first STIHL MS362 power head, or Michelangelo as it was so affectionately called, I was hooked. Any fear of not having operated a chainsaw escaped me. Being a girl just made me that much more powerful and eager to prove myself. With chaps on my legs, gloves on my hands, plugs in my ears, helmet on my head, and Michelangelo clenched in my grasp, I took down my first tree within three days of training. Once I took down one, I wanted to do another. It was an instant addiction, and to say falling trees is anything less than a passion of mine would be an understatement.

The best part of being a sawyer, for me, was the variety in daily challenges. Every tree is different. Every location is different. One week you might be at Cherry Creek State Park cutting Russian Olives. Another week you might be at Golden Gate Canyon State Park fire mitigating pines. Each tree is encompassed by factors that lead to a safe fall of it. What worked on one tree won’t necessarily work for the one standing right next to it. No matter what, I controlled how each tree came down.

However, being a sawyer at MHYC is more than just cutting down trees. The people I worked with are some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I have never met a group of individuals so dedicated to their coworkers, their work, and its purpose. Whether it’s a saw partner struggling through a tough project, or the crew pushing to meet a goal, someone is always able to motivate a person or the crew to finish strong. The toughest days and the toughest projects are the ones that you’ll remember and be the most proud of when it’s all said and done.

One of my favorite memories was at Genesee in October 2011. My crew had been working at Genesee for a couple weeks and we were close to finishing our project goals. As luck should have it, Genesee got six or eight inches of snow on the first day of our last week there. So, with six inches of snow in a rock filled mountainous park, we had to finish. Quitting was not an option. We bundled in our warmest clothes, assembled the saws, and trudged through. Ten hour days spent in thirty two degree weather, snow up to our knee caps with the saws blazing along. We spent our lunches that week crammed in the van trying to warm up. The crew leader would pass out hand warmers, but nobody’s gloves escaped the viciousness of the cold, wet snow. No one quit, and at the end of the week we looked back proud at what we had accomplished amidst the unruly circumstances.

Being part of a saw crew gave me the opportunity to help the community and environment I live in. I went into Mile High Youth Corps with the drive and passion to make my little section of the world a better place to be, and left with so much more. I learned a type of work discipline that can’t be taught behind a desk. I transformed from a more self-centered individual, to a more self-sacrificing individual with a greater consideration for the people around me. I built a variety of uncommon technical skills that set me apart from the everyday workforce. I created a network of contacts that were helpful while seeking an enjoyable job after the term was over. I went out of my comfort zone, which readied me for the new and exciting, nerve wracking situations I was sure to encounter. I made friendships that will last a lifetime. The motivation to make my world a better place made me a better person.
You get out of the Mile High Youth Corps and Americorps experience what you put into it. My advice to anyone thinking about joining on a summer saw crew: Do it. Have passion for it. Go to work, do your best every day, and motivate others to do their best. Make friends, and create memories… Most importantly, you have nothing to lose from this experience and everything to gain.

-Lauren Johnson

The views expressed in our blog represent that of the individual and do not reflect the opinion of Mile High Youth Corps.

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Made in AmeriCorps – AmeriCorps Week 2013

This Saturday, March 9^th, marks the beginning of AmeriCorps week!

AmeriCorps Week aims to build awareness of national community service in communities across the country.  AmeriCorps members have completed one billion hours of service since 1994, and this week celebrates their accomplishments and highlights the importance of what alumni have done and what current members continue to do.

The theme for AmeriCorps Week 2013 is “Made in AmeriCorps.”  AmeriCorps provides its members with chances to improve not only their country, but themselves.  Members learn the value of helping others, have a chance to learn a variety of skills, and become leaders in their communities.

Here at Mile High Youth Corps, Corpsmembers will be celebrating AmeriCorps Week by doing several different service projects on Friday, March 15^th.  They will be displaying all the ways they were Made in AmeriCorps by cleaning up a neighborhood, serving at a food bank, and doing many other projects in the Denver area.

Our Corpsmembers are extraordinary young men and women and the future leaders of this country!

How are you Made in AmeriCorps?

Click here for more information about AmeriCorps week or to find out how you can serve in your community at MHYC or other AmeriCorps programs.

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Reflections from a Corpsmember of the Year

Mile High Youth Corps Alumni and staff member Jesse Roehm recently returned from the Corps Network 2013 National Conference in Washington D.C., where was honored as one of the 2012 National Corpsmembers of the Year.  Read below for his reflections on his experience!

Jesse with Representative Ed Perlmutter

I left the Corps Network 2013 National Conference last week feeling refreshed and excited. In addition to touring the White House and seeing some of the sights around Washington D.C., I was able to network with leaders from youth corps all across the country. Through plenaries and workshops I learned more about the vision of the 21^st Century Conservation Service Corps, strategies for tackling the challenge of youth unemployment, and how the state of the recovering economy and sequestration of spending cuts will potentially impact our programs. I was inspired by individuals like Shelton Johnson, a park ranger at Yosemite National Park whose efforts to spread awareness of the history of Buffalo Soldiers has been recognized nationwide, and Joel Holtrop, chair of the Corps Network’s Board of Directors and retired Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. I also met with Senator Michael Bennett, Representative Ed Perlmutter and Representative Diana DeGette and shared the incredible work of Mile High Youth Corps. To top it all off, I was able to tell my story:

Growing up in a small town outside Indianapolis, Indiana, my passion for environmental conservation started at a young age. In its infancy, this passion stemmed from simply being outside. My brother and I didn’t watch TV or play video games. We tramped around in the woods, dug for worms and fished in the creek. I still remember helping my dad cover our windows with shrink wrap every fall in order to reduce the amount of energy we used to heat our house. Through small acts like this he conveyed to me the importance of minimizing our carbon footprint. Growing up, the concept of environmental stewardship gained further clarity during my time in Boy Scouts. My Eagle project involved spreading awareness of invasive species in my community. I wrote articles for the local paper, had information booths at community events, and led a group of volunteers in a large eradication at a local park.

 

After graduating from Indiana University in May 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and international studies, I needed to move away from Indiana in order to make real changes in my life. Marred by substance abuse, my life had begun to slowly spiral out of control. I needed a fresh start. An opportunity to reconnect with my values. A chance to find myself. The mountains of Colorado seemed like the ideal place to forge a new beginning.

 

I decided that I wanted to dedicate a year of my life to service and dove headfirst into the 10-month AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Program at Mile High Youth Corps. We started in the spring by installing energy and water saving measures in low-income properties. I stared poverty in the face and made real and tangible change. I began to relearn the concept of community and feel a sense of belonging to a greater cause. I was elected by my peers to Leadership Council, the Corpsmember-led governing body of the agency. I served as the voice of my crew, enacting policy changes based on Corpsmember input and organizing agency-wide events.

 

In the summer we transitioned to land conservation. I served as an assistant crew leader on a chainsaw crew that thinned forests to protect against wildfire. As a tree hugger at heart, I initially struggled with the concept of cutting down thousands of trees, but quickly came to understand the importance of fire mitigation. I worked harder than I ever had before, setting the tempo for the crew. I led environmental education and teambuilding activities and encouraged seasonal Corpsmembers to go the extra mile and explore the true impact of their service. Brimming with newfound confidence, I felt good about what I was doing and who I was becoming.

 

I just finished my second 1,700 hour term of service with Mile High Youth Corps. As Conservation Alumni Mentor, I provided leadership, support and training for Corpsmembers in our Energy, Water and Land programs. My role was to connect with Corpsmembers on an individual level, ensure that they were engaging in meaningful service opportunities and educational experiences and provide on-going suggestions for improvements in our programming. At its simplest, I maintained and promoted a positive corps culture across the agency.

 

After completing 3,400 hours of service, I joined the Mile High Youth Corps’ staff as a Program Specialist for our Conservation Program in December. I lead the AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation crew that I was a part of in 2011, giving me a chance to create an AmeriCorps experience for Corpsmembers that was as valuable as mine. In addition to supervision and program management, I am the primary technical resource for land conservation projects. I am thrilled to be able to continue promoting individual learning, leadership and personal growth among Corpsmembers.

 

While working full-time at Mile High Youth Corps, I plan to use my education awards to begin work on a Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Colorado Denver. Ultimately, I would like to work in a managerial role at a Denver area non-profit focused on community development.

 

At the end of my 2 years in AmeriCorps, the biggest change is who I see in the mirror. I am proud of who I am. I AM PROUD OF WHO I AM! My AmeriCorps experience kindled a passion for service inside me. I learned the value of community, hard work and integrity and now live in service to those values.

I would like to thank the Corps Network for this tremendous honor, but the honor is not solely mine. I’m blessed to be part of an incredible team at Mile High Youth Corps that has provided me with the tools to make a difference in my own life and the lives of others. I think John Irish, a recipient of the Corps Network’s Legacy Achievement, said it best:

“The work of national movements is often described as standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us. However, it seems more accurate to describe it as a relay race in which each wave of leaders exchanges the baton with those of the previous generation.”

Well, I have the baton in my hands, and I’m thrilled to push this movement forward.

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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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Congratulations are in Order (Part 2 of 3)

Another of our Corpsmember of the Year was Christian Ndushabandi. Christian was also selected as the Youth Speaker at this year’s CYCA Annual Youth Corps awards ceremony. The Gazette out of Colorado Springs, also published a story about Christian and his journey to becoming a 2012 Corpsmember of the Year (read it now here) and a copy of his speech is available on YouTube (watch it now here).

Christian Ndushabandi

(Corpsmember of the Year from MHYC’s Southern Front Range Region)

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Christian Ndushabandi joined his first crew with Mile High Youth Corps at the age of 18 with a very different story than most of our Corpsmembers.  Christian was born in Rwanda. At the age of one he was saved by his babysitter after his father was killed and his mother was left for dead during the genocide.

Years later, two and a half of which were spent in a refugee camp, Christian and his mom were invited to come to the United States as refugees. Christian welcomed the chance to experience a daily life filled with opportunity and dreams. He enrolled in high school and began learning English. As his English improved and as he adjusted to life in the US, Christian decided it was time to start working. After a couple of jobs in food service, Christian found Mile High Youth Corps.

Christian’s first term as a Corpsmember, taught him a lot and challenged his ideas of American culture. Although he admits that the first 10 day hitch with his camping crew was challenging, he found a welcoming and supportive crew to help him adjust. Christian says, “My fellow Corpsmembers changed the stereotype I had about American teenagers. The members of my crew were curious and they wanted to know about me and my country. They made me comfortable telling my story, and I feel more relieved every time I do.”

Christian has now completed two Summer of Service terms with Mile High Youth Corps and looks forward to using his AmeriCorps Education Award toward a college degree. When asked about the role MHYC has had in his life, Christian says, “MHYC is different from any other job that I have had. It taught me how to work hard and they recognize hard work. I have had fun working and I’ve learned a lot about this culture, how to solve problems and how to make friends.”

Congratulations Christian! You are truly deserving of being called Corpsmember of the Year and your dedication to your own personal growth, your crew and your ability to keep going in the face of adversity epitomize the spirit of the Corps.

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Outcomes for 2012!

As 2012 comes to a close we would like to reflect on the amazing accomplishments of our Corpsmembers. All our Corpsmembers were eligible to receive AmeriCorps Education Awards upon completing their terms. The total amount earned by our Corpsmembers this year totaled $$253,36.. This is one of the many achievements of our Corpsmembers. See below for many more statistics that make up only a snapshot of the work that took place at Mile High Youth Corps in 2012.

• 6 miles of trail constructed in the Hayman burn area
• 13 miles of trail constructed and maintained
• 50 acres of noxious weeds removed/1,584 feet of fence constructed
• 11,722 trees cut down
• 85% of the project work completed will last more than 10 years
• 100% of enrolled summer AmeriCorps members earned their Education Award

The Following Statistics represent the work of our Second Term Water Crew.

• Homes serviced over 1,000
• Toilets installed 1,242
• Gallons of water saved annually 8.6 million gallons
• Olympic pool equivalent 13.4

Thanks to all of our Corpsmembers who made 2012 a year to remember!

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Colorado Gives Day!

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Coloradans will come together again to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits like ours. Last year, a remarkable $12.8 million was distributed to Colorado nonprofits through Colorado Gives Day. Help us reach our $15,000 goal this year!

Mile High Youth Corps serves youth ages 16 to 24 by providing opportunities for youth to gain career readiness skills through community service. Currently youth ages 16 to 24 are experience the highest unemployment rates in the country, 17.1%, more than double the national average!

Your support can help us create more opportunities for youth to get to work. In 2012, Mile High Youth Corps received more than 1,500 applications for only 195 job opportunities. We know that we can make a bigger impact but we need your help. Preschedule your Colorado Gives Day donation today and help us build more opportunities for youth in our community!

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