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The SCCYCI is designed as a strategic alliance partnership, with many organizations working in pursuit of a common goal while maintaining their organizational independence. Learn more about the core members of the alliance below:
The SCCYCI is designed as a strategic alliance partnership, with many organizations working in pursuit of a common goal while maintaining their organizational independence. Learn more about the core members of the alliance below:
County Office of Sustainability
County Office of Sustainability
Organization Overview
The Office of Sustainability (OOS) seeks to build and maintain a healthy and safe County by reducing climate pollution, adapting to a changing global climate, enhancing natural resources and the environment, fostering a prosperous and just regional economy, and improving community health to ensure all people have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential.
Notes on Current Youth Work
SCCYCI project funded via CNRA grant
Sustainability Commission: recently recruited 2 youth commissioners for this 11-member new countywide commission
Summer internship pilot in partnership with Environmental Innovations for Green Business outreach
SCCYCI Representatives
Jasneet Sharma, Director
Gilee Corral, Sustainability Manager
Briana Horta, Management Analyst
Fremont Union High School District
Fremont Union High School District
Organization Overview
FUHSD trustees have approved a comprehensive climate and sustainability plan that includes a) buildings and operations’ and b) a 4 year climate literacy curricular project embedded in core and elective classes and including action research and civic engagement. Relies on student leadership to prod and showcase over time.
Notes on Current Youth Work
Students designed improved recycling and resource bin distribution at CHS, surveyed current status of curricular work, and designed units of study and lessons. Also preparing Green ASB practices. Districtwide student led committee and FUHSD student board rep are leading.
SCCYCI Representatives
Andrew Goldenkranz, Science Teacher
Website:
Region 5 Expanded Learning Partnerships
Region 5 Expanded Learning Partnerships
Organization Overview
Region 5 Expanded Learning Partnerships, under the auspices of the Monterey County Office of Education, provides technical assistance to Local Education Agencies (school districts & charters) implementing publicly funded before, after school & summer programs in Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. There are ~600 sites across the region, 62% in Santa Clara County, that predominantly serve low-income, high need youth, TK-12th grade.
Notes on Current Youth Work
Committed to youth co-created and co-led workshops at our annual conference, ReV Up
Incorporating CA Expanded Learning Quality Standard Youth Voice & Leadership intentionally into our R5 STEAM Institute (see below).
Our Region 5 STEAM Institute trains after school educators to build capacity to implement high quality STEAM Learning Opportunities (focus on Environmental Literacy, Climate Action & Career Awareness)
SCCYCI Representatives
Mara Wold, Regional Lead
Website:
Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE)
Organization Overview
The Santa Clara County Office of Education is a champion of public education, serving as an exemplary regional resource for students, parents, school districts, community agencies, and businesses.
We are prioritizing Sustainability, Climate Action and Environmental Literacy through initiatives, board resolutions and strategic action work.
Notes on Current Youth Work
SCCOE has several youth initiatives that focus on student health and wellness and civic engagement. We have youth advisory committees for our Tobacco Use Prevention program (TUPE), our Youth Health and Wellness, the Power of Democracy, and support with our annual Environmental Literacy Summit. Our BOE has a student board member and we engage students in several initiatives
SCCYCI Representatives
Jennifer Mutch, Science Coordinator
Website:
Climate Resilient Communities (CRC)
Climate Resilient Communities (CRC)
Organization Overview
Climate Resilient Communities has a clear vision of a future where under-resourced communities are empowered to take action to stay safe in the face of climate change impacts. To enact this vision Climate Resilient Communities advocates, increases collaboration, engages communities directly, secures financial support for local implementation, and works with youth to mainstream climate change.
Notes on Current Youth Work
Launching a 6-month educational Youth Climate Collective program in April of this year. It will consist of 20 youth (ages 14-20) from various frontline communities in East Palo Alto, Bellehaven and North Fair Oaks. They will engage in a series of 12 hands-on workshops where they will participate in stewardship, environmental science, exploring nature, and advocacy initiatives.
SCCYCI Representatives
Najiha Al Asma, Resilient Education Program Manager
Website:
San Jose Conservation Corps (SJCC+CS)
San Jose Conservation Corps (SJCC+CS)
Organization Overview
San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School develops young adults to create transformational change for our community and our planet.
As a conservation corps, we provide workforce development services to young adults in green-collar career pathways. Corpsmembers work on climate resilience (zero waste, natural resources management, tiny home construction) projects in our community.
Notes on Current Youth Work
SJCC+CS runs a workforce development and safety net high school program for 18-27 year olds. Most of the corpsmembers who participate in these programs are BIPOC, come from East San Jose and are overcoming personal barriers on their path to a fulfilling and financially sustaining career.
We served over 700 corpsmembers in 2022.
SCCYCI Representatives
Jamie Croteau, VP of Community Impact
Website:
Ten Strands
Ten Strands
Organization Overview
Ten Strands is a California–based nonprofit with a mission to build and strengthen the partnerships and strategies that will bring environmental literacy to all of California’s K–12 public school students. Ten Strands focuses on three strategic pillars: 1) advocacy, 2) building the capacity of school districts/county offices of education to advance environmental literacy planning, and 3) strengthening the network of environmental education stakeholders.
Notes on Current Youth Work
Ten Strands is currently piloting a California Youth Climate Policy (CYCP) Leadership Program, which is a knowledge to action program that supports youth to lead an advocacy campaign to pass policy actions (or builds on existing policies) in their school or district. Students receive mentoring from adult coaches and support in developing a personal leadership plan and advocacy campaign. The program is a partnership between Ten Strands, UndauntedK12, and the Sierra Club.
SCCYCI Representatives
Andra Yeghoian, Chief Innovation Officer
Sarah Whiting, Director of Client Engagement and Data Science Services
Website:
Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action
Organization Overview
Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action empowers teens and young adults to combat climate change now with impactful, interdisciplinary education & policy initiatives. We seek to accomplish this through: fostering youth leadership; supporting youth in advocacy and relationship building; providing youth exposure to various industries and green careers.
Notes on Current Youth Work
Empower our youth through our action teams (city, county, state teams). In SCC cities, they’ve advocated for and worked on CAP adoption, reach codes, natural gas ban ordinances, the creation of a county-wide sustainability commission and more.
We have programs/initiatives such as the Youth Leadership Summit, leadership & civic engagement training sessions, interpersonal skill training sessions, and speaker series. We also have green jobs exposure programs such as the Green Careers Bus Tour and professional development trainings (e.g. LinkedIn, resume, interview prep). FUHSD partnership to incorporate climate literacy curriculum over the next three years.
SCCYCI Representatives
Rohan Pandit, Executive Director
Website:
The Tenacious Group
The Tenacious Group
Organization Overview
Founded in 1996 to provide schools, community service providers, and audiences purpose development education and films to empower urban at-risk youth with hope, purpose and life-skills.
Notes on Current Youth Work
The current youth initiatives empower personal and community transformation programming through prevention, intervention, advocacy, school-based programming, case management services, for high risk youth and families. Including Train-the-Trainer to schools, non-profits, school admin, city agencies, to understand social make-up and ecology of at-risk urban students to build capacity for purpose thinking practices and methodologies.
SCCYCI Representatives
Adam Ybarra, Founder
Website:
Strengths of the SCCYCI Alliance
Strengths of the SCCYCI Alliance
Strong Partnerships and Networks
All organizations emphasize their partnerships and connections with various entities, including local and regional partners, educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry leaders.
These partnerships, networks, and collaborations enable them to access resources, funding, and expertise to advance their initiatives.
Coming together through SCCYCI will enhance the already existing strong partnerships and networks by providing coordinated time for strengthening the communication and ties across this ecosystem of partners and networks.
Climate Literacy and Education
Several organizations prioritize climate literacy and environmental education, both within schools and the greater communities. Many organizations offer a range of certifications and hands-on experiences related to environmental topics and climate change. Furthermore, several organizations provide direct support to schools and educational institutions, offering more general curriculum expertise, training, and guidance.
The emphasis that many partners have placed on climate literacy and education is an asset to SCCYCI in achieving the outcomes related to integrating climate literacy into the formal education system.
Youth Agency and Engagement
Organizations involved have some focus on empowering youth through programs, training, and initiatives that are related to climate change, environmental justice, and civic engagement.
By working together in the SCCYCI partners will be able to identify best practices for hands-on learning experiences, leadership training, and opportunities for young people to influence public policy and engage with their communities.
Community Engagement
In addition to strong partnerships, many organizations focus on local community engagement that seeks to build capacity and engage communities in addressing climate-related challenges.
This emphasis on community engagement will be critical to providing youth equitable access to the SCCYCI programs and services, and to ensure that solutions that are brought forward are in the best interest of the communities across Santa Clara County.
Career Development and Exposure
Many organizations actively work to expose youth to green jobs and career opportunities related to climate change and environmental stewardship. They collaborate with industry leaders by providing internships and training sessions to prepare young individuals for careers in sustainability.
Connections to green college and career pathways is one of the key goals for SCCYCI; therefore, this emphasis on career development will be an important leverage point for action.
Data and Assessment
A focus on data-driven decision-making is evident in the emphasis that partners placed on the importance of baseline assessments, sustainability plans, and reports. This data-driven approach helps organizations track their progress and make informed adjustments to their programs.
SCCYCI will be incorporating similar data-driven approaches when evaluating the progress and impact of the collective programs and efforts.
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