Local supporters, sponsors and participants in the Greenwich Youth Conservation Program (GYCP) gathered at Greenwich Point Park for “GYCP Day”, a celebration of the program’s 43rd summer and this year’s accomplishments. The teen participants also planted six oak trees in the clam bake area of the park to mark the occasion.
112 young Greenwich teens have participated in the GYCP this summer, planting many dozens of trees and shrubs throughout Greenwich, and clearing countless invasive plants to make walking paths accessible. The teens, ages 14-15, make Greenwich more beautiful while gaining valuable first-job experience. The GYCP is a unique public-private “earn and learn” summer job program, complete with supervisors, skills training and a first paycheck. The program is managed by the Town Departments of Human Services and Parks and Recreation, and local donors and sponsors provide funding so that each teen can receive a stipend for their hard work.
“It’s more important than ever for teens to have this opportunity to work and learn together,” says GYCP Program Administrator, Christina Nappi. Interest among local teens bears this out. More than 220 teens applied for this summer’s 112 available spaces. Each teen submits an application and is interviewed as part of the program which also helps them learn important job skills.
This summer’s program was designed to adhere to state and local health guidelines, requiring some creative planning. While the
teens work outside, Ms. Nappi explains that transportation had to be modified. “We want teens from different neighborhoods to get to know each other, so we transport the teens all over town. Because of social distancing requirements, we partnered with TAG (Transportation Association of Greenwich), whose buses are large enough to allow for social distancing.” Guest speakers such as Conservation Commission, Health Department and RITE program conduct their sessions outside, which Ms. Nappi says makes their presentations on topics such as personal budget management and writing a resume fun and interactive.
GYCP advisory board member Mary Hull also paid tribute to longtime Greenwich resident Anne Becker Egbert who founded the GYCP as a volunteer for the Town Department of Social Services in 1978. Anne died on July 6 in Sudbury, MA at the age of 90. “Anne saw that young teens needed an opportunity to do something constructive during the summer,” shared Mrs. Hull during her tribute. Since its founding as a small pilot project, the GYCP has become a vital program that has given more than 3,200 teens the opportunity to experience a summer job, the benefits of which can last a lifetime.
If you’d like to learn more about GYCP, please contact Christina Nappi, Program Director, at (203) 622-7792 or Christina.Nappi@greenwichct.org.
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