A Win-Win Situation

Friday, August 3, 2012
One of the projects the Nebraska Youth Conservation Program in the McCook area completed included repairing a retaining wall at Cambridge Lake. Shown from left is crew leader Crystal Adams, Shianne Carpenter, Clint Franke, David Banning, Tanner Miner, Daryan Banning, Calvin Hughes, and crew leader Peyton Bahe.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Picking up trash was not Daryan Banning's favorite thing to do this summer, he admitted.

Still, as one of about 100 teens across the state who were part of the Nebraska Youth Conservation program, cleaning up parks has made Banning appreciate the importance of all kinds of work.

"After doing that, I'm not afraid to do anything," the 20-year-old said recently. Before the program, most days were spent inside on the computer, he said. "I really like being outdoors now."

The six-week Nebraska Youth Conservation program, enacted this year by the Nebraska Legislature, paid at-risk youth minimum wage ($7.25), aged 16-20, for enhancement projects at state parks and wildlife management areas across the state.

Funded by a $994,000 transfer from the Nebraska Cash Settlement Fund, 16 crews were formed across Nebraska, each having as many as 10 youth and two crew leaders. This included crews from Omaha, three from Lincoln and one each from Norfolk, Grand Island, Lexington, North Platte, Ogallala, Scottsbluff and McCook, where Baning worked.

In the McCook area, parking areas at Swanson and Cambridge Lakes were improved, electricity was installed, retaining walls repaired and litter picked up.

The program aimed to instill in the teens an appreciation for Nebraska natural resources while developing employment skills and a work ethic they can take to another job.

It was a win-win situation for the state and the teens, said McCook crew leaders Crystal Adams and Peyton Bahe.

"It gave kids who had no skills and little prospects for a job, something to do in the summer to keep them out of trouble, some skills under their belts and some self esteem," Adams said, who has a degree in agriculture education. "It also gave state parks some much-needed maintenance work, that otherwise would not have gotten done because of budget cuts."

Bahe, who has wildlife degree, said he's seen a huge difference in the kids since the program started June 25.

"At first, there was not a lot of respect or sense of responsibility. That has changed dramatically," he said. Despite the 100-plus degree days, "They were outstanding workers, I couldn't expect more."

As a result of the program, the teens now have electrical apprenticeships and are eligible for journeyman licenses.

They've also learned life skills that will help them succeed in other areas, such as time management, staying on task and finishing a job, communication skills and resume building.

The trial program was funded for one year and the Nebraska Legislature will review it to see if it will be continued. Although it may not be a cure-all, it's worth it if it helps one teen become a productive member of the work force, Adams said.


Eligible crew members (16-20 years-old and a resident of Nebraska) also needed to meet one or more of the requirements below:

Unemployed

Income eligible (low income), receiving public assistance

Impacted by substance abuse or physical abuse

Negative contact with law enforcement

Not experiencing success in school and is in jeopardy of dropping out

"Six weeks doesn't give you time to set it up perfect, but it gives you a great start," she said.

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