Green summer jobs for youth DEADLINE SUNDAY 4/24

[Timothy DenHerder-Thomas]

Dear MN Energy leaders,

I wanted to give you a final heads up about a summer opportunity for young people (ages 14-30) in Minneapolis (and beyond) to gain green economy skills while creating solutions here in the Twin Cities (or in 14 other locations nationwide). I've posted about this back in February, but the final deadline is THIS SUNDAY 4/24, so if you or other folks you know would be interested, now is the last chance to apply.

Applications are open until April 24th for the Summer of Solutions, a summer learning and job training program for young people ages 14-30 that creates self-sustaining green economy projects that have a direct impact on their communities. Each of our 15 Summer of Solutions programs located across the country - including one right here in the Twin Cities are pioneering innovative projects in areas like energy efficiency, urban farming, green manufacturing, and transit access.

I am attaching:

1. A brochure that can be forwarded or printed and handed out to interested young people to let them know about the program
2. A fellowship description describing the role and activities of a participant in more detail
3. A paper version of the application that can be used by youth without regular internet access - please invite people who don't have access to this list!
   

You should also feel free to forward or modify the below email to youth or networks that you think may be interested or use any of the attached materials if you feel that this opportunity will help youth that you know.

Thank you for your help connecting this opportunity to young people in the community who would find it helpful.

Timothy DenHerder-Thomas
Grand Aspirations


Create Green Jobs This Summer: Deadline SUNDAY 4/24

Hello,

I am one of the program leaders with the Twin Cities Summer of Solutions, a summer learning and job training program for young people ages 14-30 that creates self-sustaining green economy projects that have a direct impact on their communities. We are based in South Minneapolis, but engage in work throughout the Twin Cities. This summer, the Twin Cities program will:

-          Grow jobs as well as food at urban farms

-          Create jobs and healthy neighborhoods through green manufacturing with the Alliance to ReIndustrialize for a Sustainable Economy (ARISE)

-          Partner with Sibley Bike Depot to expand bike access across the Twin Cities

-          Build community-owned energy in South Minneapolis, working with Cooperative Energy Futures through the Our Power campaign.

We believe in empowering young people to work together using their vision and skills to create solutions that meet their community's needs.  The Summer of Solutions is run by youth, for youth, creating a supportive, shared learning environment. In 2011, we will be spending our fourth summer in the Twin Cities, and working with a network of 14 other SoS programs nationwide. The Twin Cities program runs from June 13-August 13, 2011, ending with a national gathering of programs across the country. The program is free and we provide need-based support for participants who need additional financial support for their participation. For more information, please visit www.grandaspirations.org/twincities. If you are interested in other programs across the country, you can learn more about them at www.grandaspirations.org/programs.

We want YOU to be a part of our program! We are looking for creative, dedicated young people who believe in improving their communities, advancing social justice, and helping the environment. We are looking for both volunteer participants (up to 20 hours a week) and full-time participants (40+ hours a week), who can receive stipends based on need. The application for need-based financial support is here. Our program is working to generate funding to support participants with all levels of need. We welcome all participants ages 14-30 regardless of race, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion.  

The Summer of Solutions application is available on our website at: http://grandaspirations.org/apply2sos. The final deadline for full-time applicants is Sunday April 24th at midnight. Volunteer applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can also apply to our other 14 programs (in other cities) at that link. If you need a paper application, or the link isn't working for you, please email Matt (matt.k...@grandaspirations.org).

Please let me know if you have any questions! Feel free to forward to others who may be interested.

Sincerely,

Timothy DenHerder-Thomas

Twin Cities Summer of Solutions Program Leader 2011