It is a beautiful sunny morning in July, and at Hammonasset State Park thirty New Haven youth are knee-deep in the Long Island Sound. They are not your usual skim-boarding, sun-bathing set. “I found a blue mussel!” someone exclaims. From down the beach comes a yell — “Is this what Irish Moss looks like?” They are participants in Solar Youth’s Citywide Steward Program on a marine life scavenger hunt. Every summer since 2000, Solar Youth has brought together up to thirty New Haven youngsters, ages 9 to 13, to explore their local ecosystem, solve environmental problems, and raise public awareness about a wide range of environmental issues. For the past two summers, Stewards have focused on the theme of watersheds, specifi cally the Long Island Sound watershed.
Solar Youth, Inc. is a New Haven-based nonprofi t youth development and environmental education organization founded in 2000. Its mission is to provide opportunities for young people to develop a positive sense of self and connection and commitment to others through programs that incorporate environmental exploration, leadership, and community service. Our target audience is youth who reside in New Haven’s low income communities. These youth are faced with incredible challenges such as poverty, crime, and violence in their communities, and are in great need of positive support and opportunities to succeed.
To view the full Spring 2007 newsletter, download the pdf document