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Vermont Youth Conservation Corps - May 2007
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Wilderness, Roving and Community Crew Start-up to
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The VYCC is now hiring for three AmeriCorps VISTA positions!Since 2004 the VYCC has partnered with the Volunteers in Service to America Program. VYCC VISTAs provide full-time service to VYCC in an effort to create and expand programs, build the overall capacity of VYCC, and to reach out to more young people in the state of Vermont. Some of the projects they have helped to complete include: Assisting with the design of a new statewide Agricultural and Natural Resources Program; working to increase the VYCC volunteer base by 50%; developing a curriculum and training plan for Youth Development and Leadership Crews; partnering with local schools to create a VYCC internship program; and designing and implementing an effective, sustainable, technical training program for the public. The VYCC is again hiring for three HQ VISTA positions! Click on the links to learn more about the LEAP (Learn, Earn, and Prosper) VISTA, the TSP (Technical Skills Program) VISTA and the Alumni Relations and Communications VISTA positions. 
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The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) will launch another new program this summer!This summer, the Learn, Earn and Prosper (LEAP) program will engage blind or visually impaired youth in a program in which they will learn skills that are essential for living independently and will help them become more independent, confident, and productive young adults. LEAP is an intensive, four-week program during which youth live with an adult Crew Leader in an apartment-style suite. Throughout the experience, members will learn to use adaptive equipment to cook meals, shop for groceries, use public transportation, do laundry, and live as a community. Additionally, LEAP members will gain employment skills by participating in one of five vocational training programs at ReCycle North. Through these programs, the youth will learn professional and interpersonal skills while helping ReCycle North accomplish its three-part mission of waste reduction, job skills training, and poverty relief. LEAP is a partnership between VYCC and the following organizations:
For more information, please contact Matt Brantner at (802) 434-3969 ext. 200 or matt@vycc.org. |
Youth Leadership Retreat Participant Spotlight
"The retreat gave me the inspiration and confidence to feel that I could organize people in my community." Said Jessica of her experience in the 2006 VYCC Leadership Retreat. "The amount of ideas generated by the group at the retreat was mind blowing!" What's next for Jessica? After spending the upcoming summer working on a farm back home in Vermont, Jessica plans to participate for a second year in the exchange program at Humboldt State University. She has already been accepted as a Co-director of the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT), a campus organization dedicated to modeling sustainable practices in a residential setting. Jessica is currently volunteering on a CCAT construction crew, where she puts skills learned in the VYCC to use while rebuilding an entire house using sustainable technology. Thanks Jessica, for making such a difference in your community! |
Faces Behind our SuccessMatt Brantner is an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer who is coordinating the VYCC's Learn, Earn and Prosper (LEAP) program for blind and visually impaired youth and helping to recruit youth for our summer programs. Matt began his service with the VYCC in 2005 as a Roving Crew Leader, and his positive attitude, amazing work ethic, and leadership abilities were immediately apparent. He will be joining the staff full-time after the conclusion of his VISTA service, and we are thrilled to have him on-board! Thanks Matt for all that you do for the VYCC! |
Quote of the Month"I never had any expectations other than the very reasonable: hard work, be a team player, and learn all that you can. I felt the projects were fulfilling, like we were really doing something that needed doing, work that needed to be done." -Sia Vissering, 2006 Corps Member |
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For the first time in our 22 year history, hundreds of people will come together to kick off the 2007 VYCC field season on June 16, 2007 at the VYCC headquarters in the West Monitor Barn in Richmond, VT! Corps Members will come together to meet their Crew Leaders, get their VYCC uniforms and tools, say good-bye to their families, and head out into the field with their crew for an amazing summer! All are welcome to join us as we mark the first of many start-ups in our new home. For more details, or to RSVP, please contact Kate Villa at (802) 434-3969 ext. 100 or 
Since participating in the VYCC Leadership Retreat last summer, Jessica has moved to Northern California, where she participates in a student exchange program at Humboldt State University. Here, Jessica has really put her Community Leadership Plan into action. Jessica has organized several community events including a vigil to mark the 4th anniversary of the Iraq war and an event for Step it Up Day 2007 to address global climate change.