The United Nations RISE Youth Corps
The RISE Center directs a local initiative to better prepare leaders of tomorrow in making smart and sustainable choices for the future. The UN Youth Corps Program is a high impact, transformative learning program centered on giving students real life skills and professional experiences surrounding issues on sustainable development in Georgetown County. The effort supports a scientific/research-based perspective, while engaging a place for productive dialog and collaboration on sustainability, enabling a process for incubating student engagement and cultivation of professional talent, and encouraging participation and outreach related to sustainable development.
Students will work on a project or internship in the county as designated by county leaders, public and private, for a pre-specified amount of credits that fit within their curriculum. This is combined with a class led by CCU instructor(s) with special lectures from county leaders on sustainable development and coastal resilience.
In the spring, students work 15-20 hours per week and earn $15 per hour.
In the summer, students work 37.5 hours per week for 320 hours and earn $15 per hour.
This program is generously funded by the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation in collaboration with Coastal Carolina University.
1) high impact learning
2) skills and knowledge development
3) reflective learning
4) applied and integrated analysis
At the end of each semester, students will present their work/reflections/findings in a public forum. Given the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, that include economic development and innovation, natural resources (land, water, sea, energy), community (quality of life and sustainable communities/cities; collaboration), education, human rights and gender equality, public health, and poverty reduction, the UN Youth Corps internships and learning program will include diverse experiences from a broad array of public and private institutions within Georgetown County.