New Ways to Work

Sonoma County
Summer Youth Ecology Corps (SYEC)

Outcomes from 2009

Youth Impacts
Crew members rated the program as “extremely helpful in building their future employability.” Crew members improved their work-readiness skills and contributed financially to the local economy. The SYEC gave crew members a positive, productive summer experience. The one problem: crew members wanted the SYEC to continue into the late summer and fall.

Other Outcomes for SYEC:

Employed more than 300 young people ages 14-24 at project locations with over 32 project hosts throughout the county;
Taught youth and young adults the skills needed to find and keep permanent employment;
Restored and enhanced local habitat and streams;
Provided valuable services to local nonprofits and government agencies;
Provided employment for 27 crew leaders – primarily young adults and nonprofit agency staff; and
Included various educational enhancements, including environmental education, Work-Ready Certification, lifetime memberships to an online career assessment, comprehensive Work-Based Learning Plans, and tours of the Sonoma County Water Agency’s facilities.

For more information contact: sgtrippe@newwaystowork.org