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On Tuesday, February 19th over
130 teens from across the city came to Maverick Landing in East Boston
during their school vacation in search of jobs. And not just any jobs:
environmental jobs. MissionWorks/MaverickWorks, the Neighborhood of
Affordable Housing (NOAH), and The Education Research Institute (TERI)
received a grant from the Boston Environmental Network (BEN) to make
this fair possible.
Teens had the opportunity to meet
potential employers and representatives from educational programs
focused on the environment, including BOLD Teens, the Boston Center for
Youth and Families, Boston Natural Areas Network, the Department of
Conservation, the Franklin Park Coalition, Island Ambassadors, New
England Aquarium, NOAH’s Environmental Chelsea Creek Crew, REI, the Food
Project, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Zoo New England/
Franklin Park Zoo. Benjamin Franklin Institute and Lesley University
were also present to talk to potential students.
Fair goers were also able to participate
in 8 different workshops throughout the day. There were workshops
sponsored by the Private Industry Council and The Work Place to help
youth land a job and workshops presented by youth already working in the
environmental field Attendees learned about bugs native to the Boston
Harbor Islands, the Diesel Bill and Diesel Pollution, getting Real Food
into school lunches, and how hip hop relates to environmental justice.
Presentations were by the Island Ambassadors, the Environmental Chelsea
Creek Crew (E3C), New Mission High School, Clean Water Action, The Food
Project, and Environmental Justice Action Media.
One youth summed up the spirit of the fair
the best in her evaluation listing the three best things about the day:
“1. everybody had respect for each other; 2. the food; and 3. the
opportunity and sense of hope.” Other youth echoed these sentiments,
“The presentations/workshops were informal and informative; the
employers knew what they were talking about; everyone was very friendly;
there were many opportunities; the energy; the educational schools” And
let us not forget the food and raffles.
Participants at the fair had the
opportunity to win raffle prizes from sponsors: The Boston Red Sox, Café
Italia, EMS, MetroRock, Rino’s Place, REI, Spinelli’s, The Aquarium,
Stop and Shop, Target, and Whole Foods. |
