Grant funding to provide tree planting and training for Vista youth

Urban Corps of San Diego County is teaming up with the City of Vista to improve its neighborhoods and help train its youth for green career opportunities.  With grant money from SDG&E’s Environmental Champions grant program and CALFIRE, Urban Corps will be planting more than 200 trees throughout Vista including Buena Vista Park where they also will be installing irrigation. Additionally, with a grant from The San Diego Foundation, Urban Corps will be recruiting Vista youth to join its program to be trained and placed in green jobs with the County of San Diego once they graduate from Urban Corps. To join Urban Corps or learn more about training for a green job with the County, Vista residents that are 18-26 years old and in need of a high school diploma can attend a North County Info Session at Urban Corps’ Escondido location. To register, please call (619) 235-6884 or email info@urbancorps.org.

“One of Urban Corps’ goals is to expand career opportunities for our Corpsmembers,” said Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Urban Corps of San Diego County.  “Working with the City of Vista our Corpsmembers will not only be able to enhance the beauty of Vista and increase its tree canopy, but receive hands-on work experience that will train them for a green job with the County of San Diego.”

Some of the County departments that Vista youth can be placed in once they graduate from Urban Corps include Parks and Recreation, Planning & Development Services, Public Works, Agriculture, Weight & Measures, Environmental Health and Quality, Library and General Services.

“The City is pleased to partner with Urban Corps for this unique community enrichment program. Vista’s Urban Forest is an important part of our infrastructure. It enhances the beauty and livability of the City and provides many benefits to our communities including shade and cooling, run-off and erosion control, improved air quality and climate change mitigation.” said Kuna Muthusamy, City of Vista Director of Public Works. “We are especially excited to work with Urban Corps as the program will support our efforts to maintain a thriving Urban Forest while providing the opportunity for Vista youth to receive valuable career training, work experience and future job placement in green jobs with the County. The program will benefit both the City and our region.”

About the Urban Corps of San Diego County .. Founded in 1989, Urban Corps of San Diego County is a certified local conservation corps and charter school whose mission is to provide young adults aged 18-26 the tools to expand their career opportunities through paid job training, support services and if needed, a second chance to earn a high school diploma.

For more information or to join Urban Corps, visit urbancorpssd.org.