C.A.R.E. for Climate [Cultivating Action through Responsible Education]

Summary: C.A.R.E. for Climate is a youth-led leadership development program for teens, 13 - 17, who are passionate about combating climate change in their local community and abroad. The Ann Arbor Y will work in partnership with the Albay Y in the Philippines to advance climate change initiatives and develop the next generation of Eco-Leaders. Through an application process, 12 teens from the Ann Arbor Y community and 12 teens from the Albay Y community will be selected to serve in the first cohort of Eco-Leaders! Selected candidates will participate in a 7-week Training of Trainers course held virtually with some in-person outdoor projects. Training topics include impact of climate change, leading change (behavioral, transformational, & organizational), field exposure, service-learning projects, and strategic planning. Eco-Leaders will be tasked to develop a plan of action that includes design, implementation, and evaluation of a community-based project to combat water and air pollution in their community. Upon completion, each Eco-Leader will be expected to engage, mentor, and train Eco-Allies (community youth members via the Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) program) to achieve a collective impact and mobilizing 720 young people from the Ann Arbor Y and Albay Y communities. 

Mission: To develop the next generation of Eco-Leaders that combat water and air pollution by inspiring behavioral changes in community members to achieve collective action. 

Goals: 

1) Enhance awareness of the impact that water and air pollution have on environmental degradation. 
2) To equip young people with the tools and resources to effectively address local and global problems through innovative solutions that promote changes in human behavior. 
3) To mobilize young people across the Ann Arbor Y and Albay Y communities and provide a collaborative cross-cultural share-learning experience. 
4) To implement sustainable solutions via changes in human behavior to achieve greater impact. 
5) To inspire others to take action in their community that results in improved water and air quality for stronger communities.

Training Schedule:

- Weekly Sessions: Wednesdays, 4 - 5 pm, beginning April 7 - May 19.  
- Additional in-person field exposure and service-learning projects (dates TBD) 

Qualifications & Requirements: 

- Must be between the ages of 13 and 17 by April 7, 2021. 
- A desire to combat climate change by improving water and air quality of Ann Arbor Y service area (Washtenaw & Southern Livingston Counties) 
- Available to meet virtually on Wednesdays, 4 - 5 pm 
- Successful completion of the CARE for Climate Application [DUE MARCH 31, 2021, 3 pm]

Questions? Contact Abbey Davis, Teen & Volunteer Director, at 734-661-8012