Date: December 21, 2016
National Park Service and Northwest Youth Corps announce that their American Sign Language (ASL) Inclusion Conservation Crew has been honored with Corps Network Project of the Year Award.
Contact: NPS Elexis Fredy, 209.404.6718 elexis_fredy@nps.gov
Contact: NYC Jennifer Steimer 541.349.7501 jennifers@nwyouthcorps.org
What: San Juan Island National Historical Park and Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) announce that the NYC American Sign Language (ASL) Inclusion Crew is chosen as one of four projects by The Corps Network as Project of the Year for 2016.
Background: The Corps Network, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, presents this prestigious award on an annual basis to select organizations from their membership of over 130 Corps across the country. Awardees are chosen through a rigorous application and peer review process.
Three to four Project of the Year Awards are presented on an annual basis to Corps that have undertaken especially influential or innovative endeavors within the past year. Projects of the Year are noteworthy for their ability to provide both a positive experience for Corpsmembers and meaningful improvements to the community. Staff from The Corps Network as well as outside reviewers from member Corps select the winners of this award.
Why: NYC developed this project because individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) experience higher rates of unemployment and lower lifetime wages compared to those who can hear. In response, NYC created the ASL Inclusion Crew to provide DHH teens and young adults with a safe, supportive and accessible job training opportunity to earn a stipend and academic credit.
Where: During the summer of 2016 the ASL Inclusion Conservation Crew worked in and around the San Juan Island National Historical Park (NPS) as well as with San Juan County Parks, San Juan County Land Bank, San Juan Island Conservation District, San Juan Islands National Monument (BLM), San Juan Preservation Trust, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Madrona Institute.
For more information - http://www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/news/ProjectOfTheYear
Photos are available upon request
About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 413 national parks units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
About the Northwest Youth Corps
Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers an education-based, work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's.
Our core purpose is to provide opportunities for youth and young adults to learn, grow, and experience success. Our programs focus on education, challenge, community, leadership and empowerment, giving youth critical life skills and confidence. NYC programs stress teamwork, inclusion, and leadership while promoting a solid work ethic and individual achievement. Youth leave NYC knowing that they can overcome obstacles, solve problems, make friends, and attain their objectives in life. Along this path NYC alumnus become the next generation of conservation stewards.
NYC serves over 850 youth annually in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California.
Learn more about Northwest Youth Corps at www.nwyouthcorps.org
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network provides leadership and support to over 130 of America’s Service and Conservation Corps. Through advocacy and providing Corps access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables over 24,000 Corpsmembers, ages 16-25, to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service.
To learn more about The Corps Network, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org.
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