Urban Environmental Youth Corp Training Institute (UEYC)

YMCA of Greater New York establishes the Urban Environmental Youth Corp (UEYC) as collaboration between the Highland Park Community Advocates and the Twelve Towns YMCA. The goal of the program is to empower local youth as leaders and stewards in their environment, develop their social competence, provide alternatives to local gang activity and park vandalism, and involve the community in positive youth activity. The five week intensive summer UEYC Leadership Training Institute will train 24 selected middle school students in environmental education, leadership skills, teamwork, and multi-media documentation and presentation skills. Expert presenters, experiential field-work, and field trips will expose youth to the richness of their urban environment. This project uses an 'asset based' leadership and youth development model which 'emphasizes the acquisition of adequate attitudes, behaviors, and skills as a buffer against delinquent behavior. (Bazemore and Terry, 1997) Outcomes will be measured through youth and family participation in programming, number of projects and presentations completed, and attitude and behavioral surveys of youth, families, and community members.NCA/NCF