Community Services Consortium (CSC) is the recipient of a $10,000 Oregon State Marine Board grant through the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps to provide improvements to motorized boating facilities throughout Lincoln County. The work will be done by CSC’s Summer Natural Resource Crews, and the project will begin in July 2013 and last approximately one month.
“The funding provides a wonderful opportunity for youth in the community to develop job skills through a paid summer work experience,” said Sean Larsen, CSC Youth and Education Manager. “The youth also get to see the positive impact of their work by improving recreational boating facilities in their own communities.”
The summer project will also include four hours of boating safety/educational training for crew members, as well as a one-day “Adopt-A-River” cleanup project in the area.
“Our partners at the ports of Alsea, Newport, and Toledo, as well as Lincoln County Parks & Recreation, have been great supporters of our Natural Resource Crews program,” says CSC Project Coordinator Virginia Tardaewether. “They have made it possible for our crews to gain important work skills. With this project, the crews will be removing invasive plants, debris, and trash around boat launches and parking areas; painting restrooms; and repairing existing docks.”
Community Services Consortium has provided summer conservation work since 2003 for youth in Lincoln County, aged 14-21, who lack positive connections to their communities and exhibit barriers to employment and/or successful school completion.
The Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) Summer Conservation Corps was established by the Oregon Legislature in 1987 to provide a program to increase educational, training and employment opportunities for youth. Their focus is in improving employability, increasing social skills and personal development, and appreciation of the environment. OYCC has funded CSC’s Summer Natural Resource Crews since their inception in 2003.
Established in 1959, the Oregon State Marine Board is Oregon’s recreational boating agency, dedicated to safety, education and access in an enhanced environment. The Board also provides grants to develop and maintain accessible boating facilities.
