WHO:

Representative Tim Kleinschmidt, Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) Carter Smith,  and Executive and Senior Staff from American YouthWorks (AYW) Parc Smith, CEO, and Chris Sheffield, Program Director. 70 AmeriCorps members enrolled in AYW’s emergency response and conservation program, the Texas Conservation Corps (TxCC), which was formerly known as Environmental Corps.

WHAT:

TPWD Director Carter Smith will speak about the importance of service and will lead 70 AmeriCorps members in reciting the AmeriCorps pledge.  Immediately following, elected officials, and representatives from TPWD and AYW will announce the launch of the emergency response program.  They will also provide information on how this program will affect Texans and background information about the AYW’s local and national disaster response and conservation efforts. 

WHY:

The One Star Foundation has given a grant to AYW so that the organization can train AmeriCorps members to be on call to respond to disaster situations across the state of Texas.  Crews will be trained to perform activities that provide immediate stability to communities in need.  These activities include volunteer and donations management, shelter management, hazardous debris removal, minor home repairs and hazard tree removal.  These crews will perform conservation projects, including wildfire mitigation work, when not engaged in emergency response operations. The group will also travel outside of Texas if disaster strikes, and has recently been involved in relief operations in New York and New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy.  AYW’s program, the TxCC, will operate the disaster response crews.  TxCC, which has been known as Environmental Corps until it recently changed its name, has been addressing youth unemployment and serving the community for 16 years through conserving local, state and national parks.  Examples of past projects include: restoring habitat for endangered species, trail maintenance on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, improving recreation accessibility and restoring water quality.  The group also provided relief following the central Texas wildfires, the EF-5 tornado in southeast Missouri, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ike.  AYW is proud to announce the official launch of its emergency response program.  

WHEN:

March 1, 2013, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

PHOTO OPP:

Carter Smith will lead 70 AmeriCorps members in the AmeriCorps pledge

WHERE:

Texas Capitol, South Steps