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YouthBuild Letter to Obama September 3, 2009 Dear President Obama, Your stimulus money to our state, Massachusetts, filtered down to us at YouthBuild New Bedford, and we are so appreciative. We are some of the young adults living in this city without jobs. Now we have summer employment. Through the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board we applied and were hired to work with various city agencies. We were assigned to P.A.C.E./YouthBuild, New Bedford. YouthBuild provided us with several choices during their summer job fair. We chose from the following job options: weatherization and auditing homes project, landscaping Buttonwood Park, an environmental awareness project through journalism, and general community service projects. Those of us who chose weatherization have learned about sustainability and preservation of our older homes. We learned to audit homes and retrofit them, while, also, being OSHA certified. As Tyrell said, "We help people save money by saving energy." "Being more energy efficient counts," said Latasha. "Through the instructors and field study trips, we have become more aware of our surroundings, and it feels great to help New Bedford people." Jennifer expressed her appreciation for the summer work when she said, "helping peole learn new things and helping them find drafts in their homes and fix the problem for them gave me a thrill I didn't expect." Landscaping at Buttonwood Park was a challenge physically, but satisfying. We helped rescue dying trees from strangling poison ivy vines and learned, through an expert, how to remove this itchy pest without harm to ourselves and others that use the park. One summer worker said, "People love seeing Buttonwood Park clean." Yes, opening up the wooded areas from invading shrubs was worth the effort to make better places for animals to live, too, said Jared the YouthBuild supervisor. "I realize, now, what the woods look like - nicer," exclaimed Casey with pride. Calvin, who was situated at the park for this eight week employment, spoke very casually with a matter-of-fact demeanor remarked, "Just making a change and saving the wetlands is a big deal." The environmental awareness group took on the challenge of informing the citizens of New Bedford that no matter what your income or your age each person can "make everyday an Earth Day" and be an "Earth Guardian". The kids who chose this summer job were involved in making two publications. One packet of environmental awareness activities was created for the elementary schools, and a gazette was created for the New Bedford citizens. "Green tips for green living, farmers market locations, green links, and student worksheets on environmental vocabulary kept us busy," said Shay-Lynn. "I never thought teaching kids about water runoff and our area's watershed was so interesting and important," remarked Elisha, who will eventually become a teacher. Community service really heightened our awareness of our community's appearance and the need to clean it. "We have made abandoned lots into little parks" said Marcus with pride. "We are cleaning up the whole city and you, President Obama, made this possible. "A green New Bedford is our attempt to help make America a green country," said Latasha about building a better community. You would be proud of us and smile to see us walking through our neighborhood streets carrying rakes, brooms, pails and the tools needed for clean up. We are energized and proud of ourselves, too. The YouthBuild summer jobs have been useful to us and the people of New Bedford. The eights weeks was a great working and learning experience. Our salaries have given some of us the funds to help our personal families. For example, Tyrell's money has helped his mom pay some bills, while Leilannie's earnings will go into her car fund. She says, "When I get a car, then I can get around, get a job out of the city, even, and get my family to places, too." So, we can't thank you enough. Please keep us in mind for more funding in the future. There are so many more young people like us in New Bedford that need a helping hand and a chance to make something of our lives. P.A.C.E. YouthBuild New Bedford is one of the agencies who works hard for us and cares. We thank you so much. Don't hesitate to visit us someday. Wow, what a big deal that would be! Best Regards, YouthBuild summer job participants PACE/YouthBuild New Bedford 181 Hillman Street bldg 9 #101 New Bedford, MA 02747 508-984-3558 YouthBuildNewBedford@yahoo.com 227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946 PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680 E-mail: Webmaster@gnbwib.org |