Growing Futures
Program Name: Growing FuturesTM
Program Summary: Growing Futures is a program that provides service leaning and career development opportunities for middle-school to high-school age youths who are at-risk and/or from underserved populations. Through a series of sessions, participants learn about the natural environment while engaged in hands-on service-learning activities that develop leadership skills. Activities are incorporated into sessions at which experts in the field of natural resources discuss their occupation, introducing the youth to career opportunities that they might not have otherwise considered.
Who is eligible to participate? At-risk youth (both male and female) of middle-school and high school age.
What are the goals of this program? Youth become better connected to the environment in a positive, action-oriented way that connects them with role models in environmental careers and gives them hands-on experience. They are better prepared for life after school graduation in the workforce and as engaged citizens who can make a difference in their communities.
What assistance or services are provided through this program? Career discovery and mentoring; hands-on service-learning projects connecting the youth to environmental careers; career/job skills planning; leadership training.
What is the application deadline? No application process for the partner sites to be involved. We work with them to schedule the sessions for youth and distribute youth applications accordingly at each site.
Who sponsors this program? Sponsors for Growing Futures have included: The Alliant Energy Foundation, The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation, REAP-Conservation Education Program, and Rockwell Collins, as well as individual contributors. Our site partners have been: Four Oaks of Iowa (in Cedar Rapids), the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo, Iowa; and Metro High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Growing Futures partnering career professionals include:
Linn County ISU Extension
University Hygienic Laboratory
Kirkwood Community College
Clipper Turbine Works, Inc.
Joan Thaler
Linn County Conservation
Hiawatha Parks and Recreation Department
OPN Architects, Inc.
Cedar River Paper