{"id":11088,"date":"2025-01-09T16:15:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T21:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=11088"},"modified":"2025-01-27T15:36:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T20:36:04","slug":"25_0004","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/25_0004\/","title":{"rendered":"Murphy Administration Seeks Community Partners For DEP\u2019s Youth Inclusion Initiative To Empower Next Generation Of Environmental Leaders (25\/P004)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong><br \/>\nJanuary 9, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Contact: <\/strong>Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795<br \/>\nLawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795<br \/>\nCaryn Shinske (609) 984-1795<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SEEKS COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR DEP\u2019S YOUTH INCLUSION INITIATIVE TO EMPOWER NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>(25\/P04) TRENTON \u2013 <\/strong>The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites community-based organizations across the state to apply for grants to participate in the fifth year of its successful Youth Inclusion Initiative. The program empowers young people from overburdened communities to enter the environmental field, fostering a more inclusive workforce and strengthening community ties.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-25 mb-2 ml-2 float-right\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/25_0004_001.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1429\" height=\"952\" \/>Up to $100,000 is available for each organization to partner with DEP to recruit, supervise and guide participants, aged 16 to 20, seeking to gain hands-on training in a variety of environmental careers during the six-week summer program. Interested organizations, formally called Community Host Organizations, can find the grant opportunity at <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/yii\/grant\/\">dep.nj.gov\/yii\/grant<\/a>. <strong>In addition, an <a href=\"https:\/\/events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com\/event\/04593404-d735-4d83-bb83-269f2bb12db5@5076c3d1-3802-4b9f-b36a-e0a41bd642a7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">informative webinar<\/a> will be held on Jan. 30. All proposals must be submitted online using DEP\u2019s <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/njdepsage.intelligrants.com\/Login2.aspx?APPTHEME=NJDEP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>System for Managing Grants Electronically (SAGE)<\/strong><\/a><strong> by 5 p.m. on Feb. 20. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cStarting with just 20 participants and rising to 80 last year, we are astounded by how much the Youth Inclusion Initiative has grown. With plans to engage 100 participants in 2025, this incredible program is poised for its largest and most impactful year yet,\u201d <strong>said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette<\/strong>. \u201cWe invite community organizations from across the state to apply for the grant funding to join us in building a diverse, knowledgeable, and capable new generation of environmental stewards.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Organizations best suited for the grant opportunity include local environmental groups, colleges and universities, neighborhood and community advocacy groups, and religious and social organizations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Features of the 2025 Youth Inclusion Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding:<\/strong>\u00a0Grant funds support outreach, recruitment, supervisory services, transportation, meals, community projects and exposure to employment opportunities for the participants. Additionally, each participant will receive a stipend for taking part in the program.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-25 mb-2 ml-2 float-right\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/25_0004_002.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Interactive Learning and Professional Development:<\/strong> Participants will complete various interactive activities such as touring environmental facilities, conducting stream assessments, and identifying invasive species. To complement this, the program also provides guidance for pursuing career pathways after the program has ended by including professional development days featuring guest speakers and r\u00e9sum\u00e9 workshops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Community Project Days:<\/strong> Once a week, the youth will participate in community projects focused on environmental improvement, such as creating rain gardens and painting stormwater drains. Up to $5,000 will be allotted for each project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Strengthening Community Ties:<\/strong> The program will include up to ten different organizations, two more than last year. Building on last year&#8217;s pilot partnership setup, this year all community organizations within the same region will be paired together. This approach aims to promote team building, foster collaboration, and strengthen community ties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cThe success of this program is fueled by the unwavering dedication of our partners, who are deeply committed to empowering young people and providing them the opportunity to explore careers in the environmental field,\u201d <strong>said DEP Assistant Commissioner for Community Investment and Economic Revitalization Elizabeth Dragon<\/strong>. \u201cWe sincerely thank all of our partners for their invaluable participation and feedback each year, which are essential to the program&#8217;s continuous growth and enhancement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Improved Application Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Building off the success of previous years, significant administrative enhancements have been made to improve communication between the DEP and its partnering organizations and ensure clarity on grant requirements and expectations.<\/p>\n<p>This includes the transition of the Youth Inclusion Initiative to a grant-based program that utilizes DEP\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/njdepsage.intelligrants.com\/Login2.aspx?APPTHEME=NJDEP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SAGE<\/a> online grant management system. Using this updated application process, community-based organizations will be able to track their grant applications seamlessly from submission to approval and implementation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Comments from Youth Inclusion Initiative Partners<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cLooking back on last year&#8217;s DEP Youth Inclusion Initiative at the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Garfield, we are so proud of our teens&#8217; accomplishments. Throughout the program, they worked diligently to build a composting\u00a0site in our Community Garden, developing the skills and confidence that will aid them in the workforce and their life beyond high school,\u201d <strong>said<\/strong> <strong>Associate Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Garfield Laura Camarena<\/strong>. \u201cThe initiative has been a tremendous source of pride and a life-changing experience that prepared them for future success. It&#8217;s been an inspiration to see how their hard work and creativity have enriched our community and club programming, setting a strong foundation for their college pursuits and beyond. We&#8217;re grateful for the opportunity to witness their growth and look forward to seeing this program impact future\u00a0cohorts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYouth Inclusion Initiative provided a transformative opportunity for our youth to connect with environmental science and engineering professionals, empowering them to better understand the challenges affecting their communities,\u201d <strong>said Octavia Sutphin, President of\u00a0Neighborhood Improvement Association<\/strong>. \u201cThrough hands-on learning and real-world experience, our youth gained valuable skills that will support their personal and professional growth.\u00a0 We are proud to have been part of this impactful initiative, and grateful for the support of the Department of Environmental Protection.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Youth Inclusion Initiative summer program was an incredible opportunity for Ranch Hope to engage youth in the community and open doors for them to serve and lead in the areas of community cleanliness and community pride,\u201d<strong> said<\/strong> <strong>Director of Community Missions at Ranch Hope Jonathan Cummings<\/strong>. \u201cThe youth loved the varied experiences that were provided to them all across the state and expressed just how much they learned that they hadn&#8217;t been exposed to before.\u00a0The opportunity helped encourage new avenues of thinking towards future jobs and also how to make a difference in their hometown.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe NJDEP Youth Inclusion program has been a transformative force for Groundwork Elizabeth and our youth, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and hands-on experience to become environmental stewards in their own communities. This program not only deepened their understanding of environmental justice but also empowered them to take an active role in shaping a greener, more sustainable future,\u201d <strong>said Executive Director at Groundwork Elizabeth John Evangelista<\/strong>. \u201cThrough this partnership, our young leaders gained invaluable skills that will benefit them for years to come, both professionally and personally. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to help cultivate the next generation of environmental champions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For more information about the 2025 Youth Inclusion Initiative, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/yii\/\">dep.nj.gov\/yii<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Contact: Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795 Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795 Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SEEKS COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR DEP\u2019S YOUTH INCLUSION INITIATIVE TO EMPOWER NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS (25\/P04) TRENTON \u2013 The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites community-based [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":397,"featured_media":11092,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"dep-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[193],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-193"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/397"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11088"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11088\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11149,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11088\/revisions\/11149"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}