Youth Climate Corps recap first summer in Courtenay
PHOTO: The Youth Climate Corps pays youth a living wage to do meaningful work in their own communities. Photo provided by Mikasa Quaife
This summer the Youth Climate Corps of BC (YCCBC, or YCC) expanded to Courtenay, employing a small team of young climate action workers, and collaborating with local organizations including Project Watershed, Lake Trail Community Education Society, and LUSH Valley. As the youth employment organization’s first season in Courtenay comes to a close, the team presented their achievements to local governments in hopes of renewed funding for next year.
The program employed three “climate action mobilizers,” youth aged 17-30, as well as a program coordinator and program lead. Mikasa Quaife is the Courtenay division’s program lead, and she spoke with CHLY and CVOX about the Youth Climate Corps’ impacts in the valley.
PHOTO: The YCC climate action mobilizers partnered with Lake Trail Community Education Society, working in their garden on a regular basis. Photo provided by Mikasa Quaife
“I think for the most part, people have been really happy to have us here. I think we were a little bit nervous to maybe encounter people who are not as excited to have us here, but everyone seems really happy with the work that we're doing and really happy that we're here and able to support a lot of organizations that a lot of other people already support. And everyone thinks that it's great that we're giving youth good green jobs,” Quaife said.
The local division came to the valley through the recommendation and request of Jeanniene Tazzioli, Manager of Environmental Engineering for the City of Courtenay, who learned of the organization at an event where the YCC was presenting. The City was able to help support the new local division with money granted to Courtenay through the Local Government Climate Action Program.
The Courtenay Youth Climate Corps team presented their season summary at the City of Courtenay Regular Council Meeting on August 27th. After the presentation, Tazzioli put forward the staff recommendation to continue the program, and encourage other neighbouring municipal governments to add their support as well.
“Staff are proposing that we continue the program. Like I said, we receive provincial funding through the local– the government climate action plan, so we are proposing to continue supporting YCC. But we acknowledge that the work of YCC is within our community, and our community is beyond our municipal boundary, and I think that shows with the partnerships that YCC has forged. And so it would be great to see support from some other local governments as well, and to see how far we can take this climate action on the ground, and really approach this in a unified way,” Jeanniene Tazzioli said at the Courtenay City Council meeting.
The local YCC team also shared their presentation with both the City of Comox Council on September 3rd, and the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors on September 9th. Program lead Mikasa Quaife felt the presentations were well received, and is hopeful that the program will continue next year.
Quaife shared that it is significant to create these employment opportunities in a time of extreme youth unemployment rates across Canada, and particularly in B.C. Additionally, by increasing the capacity of local communities, the YCC enables youth to find meaningful work in their own communities rather than having to move or commute to bigger cities.
“And of course, we're paying them a living wage, so it makes it possible for them to choose to do this work rather than something else that might pay more, but might not align as well with their values. And then they're also able to support the climate action work that's already happening in their community, and it really increases the capacity of organizations that are already doing really good work in the community,” Quaife said.
There has been no lack of work for the climate action mobilizers this summer, partnering with groups throughout the Comox Valley. Some projects have included reducing food waste and helping redistribute food in the community with LUSH Valley, monitoring water quality with local stream keeper groups, and doing ecological restoration work with Project Watershed.
A highlight for Quaife has been building and strengthening community connections between the various groups the team has worked with, and sharing knowledge across organizations.
“And it's also been really rewarding for myself, and for the youth I think, to see all of the good work that's happening in the community and to be connected with individuals in the community that really care and that are working hard to make a difference. That really helps, I think, everyone feel like they're not alone,” Quaife said.
PHOTO: The first Climate Action Book Club meeting took place at the Courtenay library on September 2nd. Photo provided by Mikasa Quaife
Through the program, one of the young employees, Mya Johnson, also initiated a Climate Action Book Club at the Courtenay public library to build greater community connection and spark conversation. The first meeting took place on September 2nd with an ambitious read, Voices for the Islands by Sheila Harrington.
“I don't think everyone had fully read the book, but we still had a really great discussion, and I think everyone had a really great time. And the next book is called The Annual Migration of Clouds, and that one is a much lighter read and I'm really excited for the next book club. And yeah, it was super fun and really inspiring, and there was really great conversation,” Quaife said.
According to Quaife, the first meeting had about seven people join and they are hoping for many more at the next meeting on October 7th.
“They are gonna be on the first Tuesday of every month, and Mya who has started the book club is really keen to continue on after her contract ends. Obviously we would love to continue to pay her to do it, but I think she'll stay on as a volunteer and continue to run the book clubs after the program's over, and we're hoping that we'll get funding again next year, and then that would definitely be something that we would pick up again,” Quaife said.
Youth Climate Corps divisions across B.C. generally run from four to eight months with a long term goal of running year-round, providing job experience and a living wage to groups of youth rotating through the program. Quaife said this would mean reaching more youth, as well as providing more consistency with a year-round presence, and maintaining community relationships.
PHOTO: Partnered with BC Parks Foundation, the YCC team installed trail cameras at Morrison Creek Headwaters to monitor wildlife, including bears. Photo provided by Mikasa Quaife
Quaife said working with youth has been great, seeing their passion and fresh perspectives untainted by the cynicism of time.
“It's really nice to have their fresh ideas and also, they just care so much and it's nice to have a fresh perspective that's not marred by, you know, decades of hearing about all the bad news that's happening or all of the critiques around solutions,” she said.
More information about the Youth Climate Corps of BC is available online, along with opportunities to get involved. The organization can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Anyone interested in joining the Climate Action Book Club’s next discussion, October 7th, can visit the front desk of the Courtenay library to pick up a copy of The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed.
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada. Reporting done in the Comox Valley is done in partnership with CVOX.