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| Mile High Youth Corps |
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Tips on Spring Gardening
Summer is quickly approaching and Corpsmembers will blanket the city, working on all types of land conservation projects, including community gardening. In order to enjoy a season full of colorful blooms yourself, dust off that green thumb and follow these simple tips:
- Focus on the soil. Start loosening the ground with a hand rake so that future roots have room to grow. Add organic matter to your current soil to pack an extra punch.
- Choose plants that appeal to your taste and are common to the environment, especially in terms of watering needs and access to the sunshine.
- Regular watering, especially in the morning, is best. If using a hose, make sure the water seeps in slowly and doesn't blast off the petals of your perfect Petunias.
- Bring on the woodchips! Mulching protects your topsoil, adds nutrients as it decomposes and prevents weeds.
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Get Hip. Get Green.
Shop the MHYC Store for St. Paddy's Day
Support the Corps by sporting shirts, jackets, hats and bags with the MHYC logo.
Click here to start shopping now. |
Turn Off Your Lights for Earth Hour
On Saturday, March 28th, people around the world will participate in Earth Hour. From 8:00 - 9:00 p.m., turn off those switches to make a strong statement about energy use and to save money on utility bills.
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| Upcoming Events |
3/16/09 YouthBuild Program Begins 3/28/09 Turn off your lights for Earth Hour! (8-9:00 p.m.) 4/15/09 Priority Scheduling Date for Summer Land Conservation Projects
4/22/09 Happy Hour and Silent Auction at The Tavern Uptown
4/25/09 National Youth Service Day with Vail Resorts and Westminster Open Space (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
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YouthBuild grad Xavier Jennings accepts an award from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Jennings was one of 20 young adults recognized for triumphing over personal adversity. (Photo by Jeff Rupp)
Mile High Youth Corps Grad Receives Award from the Mayor |
Xavier Jennings, 19, a YouthBuild graduate and current Alumni Mentor, received a Metropolitan Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award in early March from the Denver Mayor's Office of Education and Children. "Hearing of your esteemed accomplishments inspires me," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "You are the next business and community leaders of this town-I bet even the next mayor."
The award includes a year's worth of paid tuition at the Community College of Denver (CCD). As a first generation college student, Xavier started classes at CCD in early January with the AmeriCorps education award he earned from the Corps and will use these additional free credit hours to continue exploring his options. "Right now, I'm taking basic classes. But I want to work in sports or continue with a nonprofit that helps youth."
Xavier knew adversity at a young age. "All of my siblings and friends were gang members; it was the only lifestyle that was taught to me." Joining YouthBuild in the summer of 2008, Xavier started working towards his GED and learning construction skills on a Denver Housing Authority (DHA) site. Excelling at the work site and in the classroom, Xavier earned his GED last November. "Xavier grew into someone who is positive, professional, honest and 100% reliable," said Nikki Sorola, the Corps' educator.
Today, Xavier works as a YouthBuild Alumni Mentor while taking his classes at CCD. As he matures into an adult, Xavier has proven that he does not have to be limited by the constraints of his past. "It's nice to redeem myself and remove those negative labels. I'm out there, getting my degree and just getting started." |
Independent Evaluation Shows that MHYC Gets Results
MHYC's 2008 programs were formally evaluated by an outside evaluator, Omni Research and Training. Results from the evaluation demonstrated that MHYC participants benefited from their Corps experience. The following is a brief summary of the results:
- MHYC members showed a statistically significant increase in their leadership skills.
- MHYC members showed a statistically significant increase in civic engagement.
- MHYC had a positive impact on members' environmentalism. Statistically significant increases were observed for environmental behaviors and environmental self-efficacy.
- MHYC helped improve members' psychological well-being. A statistically significant increase was observed for their perceived social support.
- MHYC members changed their attitudes about alcohol use. A statistically significant increase was observed in their perceived risk of heavy alcohol use.
- 100% of members felt that the service they performed was helpful to the community.
For more information about the evaluation, contact our Director of Programs Brigid McRaith at brigidm@mhyc.net. |
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| Support the Corps with Easy, Secure Online Giving at GivingFirst.com
Applaud successes like Xavier's and help MHYC make an even greater impact on Denver's youth by including the Corps in your charitable giving all year long. Consider making reoccurring monthly or quarterly gifts to the Corps through GivingFirst.org and ensure our success 365 days a year.
GivingFirst recently lowered its minimum gift amount to $10, so it's never been easier to give to MHYC. Click here to make your first gift.
Mile High Youth Corps uses GivingFirst.com to process online credit card donations because it's efficient, economical and environmentally-friendly. GivingFirst also picks up the processing fees, so 100% of your gift comes straight to the Corps.
Consider a reoccurring gift that won't break the bank:
$25/quarter for a year = a $100 gift
$10/month for a year = a $120 gift
$12.50/month for a year = a $150 gift
$50/quarter for a year = a $200 gift
Make your first gift here!
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Save the Date: MHYC Happy Hour & Silent Auction
Support the Corps and Get Some Great Deals!
Celebrate Earth Day and raise money for the Corps at the sixth annual Happy Hour & Silent Auction, scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, from 6-8 p.m. Hosted at the award-winning Tavern Uptown in Denver's Uptown neighborhood, this event is sure to sell out, so get your tickets early!
Tell Me More About These Great Deals...
Don't forget your checkbook and credit card- you'll score some wonderful deals on Frontier airline tickets, spa packages and practical items you use everyday. And just in time for summer!
My Purchases Will Support What?
Funds raised at this event will help the Corps build additional classrooms, become more energy-efficient and provide access for youth with physical disabilities. These renovations won't just create a new building; they'll allow even more youth the opportunity to make a difference in their community.
$25 in advance
$30 after Sunday, April 19
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