Yes Nature To Neighborhoods

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATURE, YES NATURE TO NEIGHBORHOODS MISSION IS TO NURTURE LEADERS WHO CHAMPION THE WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. YES PROVIDES LONG-TERM, YEAR-ROUND ENGAGEMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS AS YOUNG AS EIGHT (AND THEIR FAMILIES).

EXPLORERS, AGES 8 TO 10, ENGAGE IN WEEKEND PROGRAMMING THAT INCLUDES FIELD TRIPS TO MUSEUMS AND OTHER LEARNING CENTERS, REGIONAL PARKS AND INCLUDES AFTER SCHOOL WORKSHOPS TWICE A MONTH. RANGERS, AGES 11 TO 13, PARTICIPATE IN THE ABOVE EXPLORER ACTIVITIES AND ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE PART OF YESS DISCOVERY SQUAD OR THE RICHMOND RANGERS. BOTH PROGRAMS LAST 10-MONTHS AND INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HIKING, FISHING, BOATING, AND CAMPING, AND/OR BACKPACKING. IN ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS YOUTH LEARN ABOUT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY, WITH A FOCUS ON SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OUTDOOR SKILLS. IN 2022-23, THESE PROGRAMS GRADUATED 49 YOUTH.209 YOUTH ATTENDED WEEK-LONG, RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMPS WHERE THEY PARTICIPATED IN CAMP GAMES AND ACTIVITIES. IN THE PROCESS, THEY BUILT THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE, SOCIAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

ADULT LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS: 11 ADULTS COMPLETED THE TREES PROGRAM IN 2021-22. THE YOUTH RESEARCHED THE IMPACT OF THE WAR ON DRUGS ON YOUTH OF COLOR AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF ACCESS TO MARIJUANA FOR YOUTH UNDER 21; EMPOWERED YOUTH TO CHOOSE HEALTHY COPING STRATEGIES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUBSTANCE USE; AND ENGAGED IN ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ON THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE, INCLUDING PRESENTATIONS TO THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE PUBLICATION OF A TREES MAGAZINE.NURTURE YOUR POWER AND USE YOUR POWER ARE NINE-MONTH PROGRAMS FOR RICHMOND ADULTS TO HARNESS THEIR STRENGTHS AND PASSIONS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS AND GROW AS LEADERS. PARTICIPANTS GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS, INDIVIDUALIZED MENTORING, AND ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY-BASED ACTION PROJECTS. THIS YEAR, 12 ADULT PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED THE PROGRAM.

AS PART OF THE C2C PROGRAM, THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT TEAM (YET) YOUTH AGES 14-15 CONTINUED TO ADD ELEMENTS TO THE NICHOLL PARK BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT. THE YET TEEN LEADERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS BUILT FOUR ADDITIONAL PLANTER BOXES, AND PARTICIPATED IN A PARK CLEAN UP. CONDUCTED A PARK CLEAN UP AND BUILT PLANTER BOXES IN 2022-23. SIXTEEN YOUTH GRADUATED FROM THE YET COHORT. THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY CORPS (C3) COHORT GRADUATED 15 YOUTH. THE COHORT IDENTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RELATED TO OUR LOCAL WATER SYSTEMS, ASSESSED RECENT CITY OF RICHMOND CREEK REVITALIZATION AND RESTORATION MEASURES, AND ADVOCATED FOR POLICY CHANGES ENGAGING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.