The 2009 summer season is underway at Mile High Youth Corps and our Summer of Service, Water Conservation and YouthBuild Programs are running full-steam ahead. Over 100 young adults will obtain real-life work experience over the next few months, as they build trails, plant trees and gardens, conserve water and build affordable homes for low-income families. 
 
For 18-year-old Veronicca Solis, a recent Smokey Hill High School graduate, the Summer of Service Program at MHYC was an opportunity to step out of her 'safe zone.'  "I wanted to expand my horizons and get a different type of experience than I'd have in any other summer job. It's also nice to give back to the community."
 
Veronicca will spend her summer working alongside 11 other young adults to rid area parks and open spaces of invasive trees. "We've been cutting down Russian Olive and Siberian Elm trees that take up a lot of the water sources. We then plant other trees in their place." 
 
Attending the University of Portland in the fall and planning to study Global Business, Veronicca thinks her time at the Corps will benefit her in the future. "It's nice to be working with all types of people, getting the (AmeriCorps) education award to help pay for college and learning many different skills."

To see if a MHYC project is taking place near you, log onto our Events Calendar throughout the summer.

 

MHYC will be hiring 18- to 24-year-olds again this fall for various conservation service projects. Check www.milehighyouthcorps.org periodically for updates.