This summer, the Alton Park/Piney Woods Health and Justice Collaborative teamed with the Bethlehem Center's Leadership Academy Summer Program, The Villages, and the Southside Recreation Center to offer the Youth Environmental Leadership Development Class. This 40-hour class brought an opportunity for youth aged 13-18 to participate in education, training, and hands-on learning activities about environmental health and justice issues in the community. A highlight of the class was a field trip to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on July 13, where the students toured laboratory facilities and visited the Knoxville Art Gallery.  There they saw a very special exhibit there entitled “Growing Tennessee: Rural Youth Cultivate Common Ground.”

The class also provided a chance for students to:

• Study and explore the history of the local community

• Learn more about what environmental research is and how to do it

• Learn more about environmental careers

• Learn more about issues facing people in the community

• Develop important leadership skills that carry over to every part of life

• Work cooperatively with other students to improve the community

Students were provided a $300 stipend for 100% attendance.

For more information, contact Geri Spring at 423 821 0661 at the Alton Park Development Corporation.