Empowering the Next Generation of Trails Professionals through Shared Experiences
The purpose of this guide is to highlight the work of service and conservation Corps who develop and manage identity-based programs and crews, discuss the intention and purpose of these crews, why they are important, and how they have been transformational experiences for Corpsmembers and partners.
Affinity and Identity-Based Crews and Programs
Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to highlight the work of service and conservation Corps
who have experience managing affinity and identity-based programs and crews.
The following case studies will discuss partnership and project development with Corps,
agencies, and sponsoring entities, and discuss the intention and purpose of these crews,
why they are important, and how they have been transformational experiences for the Corpsmembers. It’s important to note that affinity crews receive the same training,
development, oversight, and management as other traditional crew-based models.
However, there are specific identity-based components that make the programming
experience unique for the community of young people the crew is meant to serve.
There’s no one way to define an affinity crew’s intention or purpose. Some Corps
may explore using affinity crews as a mechanism for outreaching and recruiting from
populations of individuals they’ve historically had difficulty connecting with, build
organizational cultural competency and inclusive practices, and use this crew model to
act upon their organizational values and social justice efforts. There are some Corps
who have made conscious efforts in outreaching to particular communities but don’t
consider their efforts to be affinity or identity-based in nature - although from an
outsider’s point of view they may fit that definition. The case studies and examples in
this guidebook intend to feature corps Affinity crews with varying intentions, purposes,
and goals and will not adopt one definition for what this type of program is and what its
purpose should be.
Attached document published February 2023
Corps are locally-based organizations that engage young adults and post-9/11 veterans in service addressing recreation, conservation, disaster response, and community needs. Through a defined term of service, Corps participants – or “Corpsmembers” – gain work experience and develop in-demand skills.
posted Mar 9, 2022
Successes and lessons from the COVID-19 Conservation Corps programs in Juneau, Anchorage, and Sitka that trained and employed out-of-work Alaskans in 2020.
posted Oct 1, 2021
This handbook defines the role of the SCA and the Programs’ policies and guidelines. It is to be referred to and followed. There are three sections- general information, a section specifically for the Leader Team Crew Leader, and a section specifically for the Leader Team Members.
Youth Conservation Corps Reference Manual: A Coordinator’s Guide
posted Oct 1, 2021
This handbook is intended to provide consistency among the National Park Service (NPS) units responsible for implementing the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and to offer guidance for establishing and operating the YCC throughout the NPS.
Launching a Successful Civilian Climate Corps
posted Sep 23, 2021
This paper outlines ways to achieve two key goals: First, to create career paths for young people; and secondly, to improve the U.S.’ ability to counter, and adapt to climate change, especially in communities that have suffered from environmental injustices.
462 views • posted 02/08/2023
