{"id":419,"date":"2018-05-15T08:20:44","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T12:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/?p=419"},"modified":"2024-08-26T06:06:29","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T10:06:29","slug":"green-works-kc-giving-back-creating-jobs-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/green-works-kc-giving-back-creating-jobs-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Works KC: Giving Back and Creating Jobs at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Green Works in Kansas City<\/a> is the brainchild of Kate Corwin, former IT engineer who had an epiphany when her best friend died, deciding that she liked her job, but it wasn\u2019t what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. What Corwin really wanted to do was create jobs in Kansas City, so she changed careers, starting a furniture manufacturing company, and giving internships to local high school students. Fast forward to 2007, and Corwin\u2019s initiative becomes a bona fide nonprofit organization that provides not only internships, but environmental education to local youth, as well. This is the organization that Kars4Kids deems exceptionally worthy of becoming the recipient of one of our small grants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s this: we love the idea of successful adults who step back and think what they can do for their own communities. If everyone followed in Kate Corwin\u2019s path, think what an amazing world it would be! We spoke to Green Works in Kansas City President and Founder Kate Corwin and Program Manager Roberta Vogel-Leutung to find out the specifics of this terrific initiative:<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Since 2007, you\u2019ve worked with almost 400 students, and all of them have gone on to graduate high school! Do you keep tabs on students after high school? <\/strong>Any idea how many have gone on to college or found meaningful work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Roberta Vogel-Leutung: \u00a0<\/strong>We aren\u2019t a large enough organization to formally keep track of the students, although many of them keep in contact with us informally. A number are in college and several work in environmental jobs including an early graduate who works at the KCMO Water Department, a connection from his Green Works summer internship, and another graduate is helping to maintain the city\u2019s green infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\"Green<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Are most of the internships and job training workshops for jobs with an emphasis on being eco-friendly? Do you try to connect the dots between Green Works in KC\u2019s first year Environmental Ed program and the second year Workforce Development and Summer Internships programs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Roberta Vogel-Leutung:\u00a0 Yes, the ideal Green Works in Kansas City student will progress through all of the programs sequentially so that they have a solid foundation in understanding environmental issues; appreciating being in nature; and hopefully, an awakened care for their surroundings. However, we accept new students in all phases of programming.<\/p>\n

We do our best to place students according to their interests and our sustainability values, which can be expressed in any sector. Many of our students have interest in health fields, for example, which are very aligned with environment and sustainability.<\/p>\n

Kate Corwin: Our students may not choose a field that we would consider \u201cgreen.\u201d The important thing is to impart the idea that we can incorporate sustainable values into all our careers.<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Tell us about the Oxbow on Brush Creek habitat restoration project in which students planted native species and removed almost 2 acres of invasive honeysuckle. How was this program coordinated? Who educated the students on how to do these things? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Roberta Vogel-Leutung: The Oxbow Restoration project was conducted by a collaboration of adult environmental professionals and volunteers, in coordination with ECOS<\/a> students and ECOS programming.\u00a0 The ECOS curriculum included units on watersheds, assessing water quality, planting with native plants for water quality, and the value of trees.\u00a0 The Oxbow Project provided the service learning opportunities for the students to put into practice what they learned.<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Is there a life lesson there regarding the honeysuckle removal on how something beautiful may have to be eradicated because it chokes off what is meant to be there? What did the students make of that?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kate Corwin:\u00a0 What they learned is this: simple actions including introducing a non-native plant, can have serious consequences for generations to come.<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Green Works in KC students worked with the KCMO Water Services<\/a> and Parks & Recreation<\/a> to write and assist in producing videos on things like tips for water conservation for use at community events.\u00a0 What are the benefits of using local students in creating PSAs on environmental causes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Roberta Vogel-Leutung:\u00a0 The first benefit is to the students.\u00a0 When students act out, or embody their lessons for teaching others through PSAs, it solidifies their understanding of and commitment to what they are teaching.\u00a0 Solid waste issues, such as littering and illegal dumping, are common problems in the places the students live, and participate in service projects, so they are also the projects that most interest the students.<\/p>\n

Kate Corwin: Plus, when students are actively involved in the creation of these videos, they will share them with their friends and family.<\/p>\n