Nearly 80 HACC Youth Graduate from Summer Jobs Program in the Forest Preserves of Cook County

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle greet participants at the Cook County Forest Preserve Summer Jobs Program graduation ceremony where nearly 80 HACC Youth Graduated. Photo provided by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle greet participants at the Cook County Forest Preserve Summer Jobs Program graduation ceremony where nearly 80 HACC Youth Graduated. Photo provided by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Nearly 80 HACC Youth Graduate from Summer Jobs Program in the Forest Preserves of Cook County

High school students learn skills to serve them for the future

                                              

A summer of learning, outdoor exploration and service culminated this morning in a graduation ceremony for 78 Cook County youth at South Suburban College in South Holland.

 

Now in its 11th year, the Forest Preserve Experience (FPE) is a collaborative program coordinated by Friends of the Forest Preserves and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, with generous support from the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC), the Forest Preserve Foundation, and others.

 

“Programs like the Forest Preserves Experience demonstrate what is possible when organizations and community partners work together with a shared commitment to opportunity,” said Cook County Board and Forest Preserves President Toni Preckwinkle. “I am grateful to the Friends of the Forest Preserves, the Housing Authority of Cook County, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, the Forest Preserve Foundation and everyone whose partnership has made this program a lasting success. Together, we are connecting young people to meaningful career pathways, expanding access to our public lands and investing in the next generation of leaders while building stronger, more resilient communities.”

 

For five weeks this summer, young people ages 14-19 who live in households that receive services from HACC worked in crews at several Forest Preserves sites in the south and southwest suburbs, learning about environmental conservation and contributing to the health and beauty of the preserves.

 

“This program gives young people the opportunity to see that they can make a real difference,” said Forest Preserves General Superintendent Adam Bianchi. “Every trail they improved, every invasive plant they removed and every habitat they helped restore has a lasting impact on these landscapes. Along the way, they poured their time, energy and sweat into improving these sites, building skills and confidence that will serve them wherever life takes them.”

 

"The FPE program nurtures the connection between people and nature during their formative teenage years," said Radhika Shah, Program Director of Friends of the Forest Preserves. "Young people are out and active in the preserves, practicing valuable life skills such as getting to work on time, teamwork, conflict resolution, goal-setting, spending time outside, and much, much more."

 

Most crew members worked at Forest Preserves sites near their homes, allowing them to engage in projects that their families and communities would most easily be able to enjoy. In addition to career and life skills workshops, the summer included a variety of recreational outings and activities, ranging from forest bathing to visiting the beach.

 

“The Forest Preserve Experience offers more than summer employment," said HACC Executive Director Danita Childers. "It gives young people real work experience, builds environmental responsibility, and lays a foundation for future success. By restoring local natural spaces, they are helping to create a culture of care and stewardship in their own communities.”

 

A special element of the Forest Preserve Experience is the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Crew members work and learn under the guidance of crew leaders, many of whom are themselves former crew members, and many of the youth return for multiple summers.

 

“At the Forest Preserve Foundation, we are committed to investing in both the health of our environment and the strength of our communities,” said Debra Walker Johnson, President and Executive Director of the Forest Preserve Foundation. “The Forest Preserve Experience program provides young people with valuable skills, hands-on experience, and the confidence to become the next generation of conservation leaders. We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to the important role they will play in caring for the Forest Preserves and building a more sustainable and equitable future.”

Since its inception, the FPE has welcomed more than 1,200 participants who have contributed more than 103,000 service hours. Graduates have returned as crew members, progressed into leadership positions, moved on to other Conservation Corps programs, and began their careers at conservation agencies—including the Forest Preserves. The FPE is one of two high school Conservation Corps programs in the Forest Preserves, along with the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps. The Forest Preserves and its partners also offer six different adult Conservation Corps programs. For more information about Conservation Corps, visit fpdcc.com/nature/conservation-corps-programs/.

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