Attendance: Will Sedlack, Kristen Grant, Stacie Haines, Ivan Fernandez, Nathan Robbins, Kate Klibansky Kirsten Brewer (Staff)
Maine Youth Climate Corps Grant Review
The Task Force discussed three applications for funding from the recently released RFA. All three applications were unanimously recommended for funding, though two were recommended with modifications. The recommendations are sent to the Executive Committee of the Maine Commission for Community Service for final approval.
Overview of RFA: $80,000 is available to release and commit before July 1, 2024. Proposed priorities for this funding are: summer/school-year youth service—youth aged 14-18. Target grants up to $10,000 for summer activities. Grantees may propose to pay: youth stipends, staff salaries, other support to youth.
Applicant 1: Augusta Teen Center
The Augusta Teen Center’s Edge program for justice-impacted youth focuses on programing for teens to access the wider world of work. One component of the program is “community service” Mondays, when teens travel to local natural areas (including a community garden) to support natural resource staff on projects such as trail building and repair, gardening, clearing invasive species, etc. The program begins in May with the growing season, (after-school), continues as a full day program in the summer, and continues through the last frost after-school.
The following proposal issues need to be clarified or, in the case of missing required elements, added.
• The budget detailed exceeds the amount requested. The applicant should clarify which expenses exactly will be covered by this grant.
• No specific numerical performance measures given. The applicant should define specific performance measures.
• The applicant indicates they are currently hiring a staff person to manage this program; staff will clarify if there is a “Plan B” in case they are unable to hire. The expectation will be clear that the grantee needs to proactively communicate if any staffing challenges make program implementation impossible.
Motion from Will Sedlack to recommend this application for funding with modifications. Unanimously approved.
Applicant 2: Friends of Cobbossee Watershed
FoCW Youth Conservation Corps completes shoreline erosion control projects on lakefront property in the Cobbossee Watershed. This is a long-standing program, a legacy of past federal Youth Conservation Corps and Maine Conservation Corps programs. 10 high-school aged youth will complete between 20-25 shoreline erosion projects; this year they anticipate dealing with significant storm damage after the winder storms. Members serve 30 hours a week for 8 weeks.
Motion from Will Sedlack to recommend this application for funding. Ivan Fernandez seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.
Applicant 3: Thompson Lake Environmental Association
TLEA Youth Conservation Corps completes projects on lakefront property in the Thompson Lake Watershed. This is a long-standing program, a legacy of past federal Youth Conservation Corps programming 3 high-school aged youth will complete up to 20 shoreline erosion projects. Members serve 35 hours a week for 8 weeks.
The following proposal issues need to be clarified or, in the case of missing required elements, added.
• The budget detailed exceeds the amount requested. The applicant should clarify which expenses exactly will be covered by this grant.
• No specific numerical performance measures given. The applicant should define specific performance measures.
Motion from Will Sedlack to recommend this application for funding with modifications. Ivan Fernandez seconded. Unanimously approved.
Remaining Funds for Maine Climate Corps
These applications will only draw down some of the available funds for Maine Climate Corps programming in FY24. Additionally, the current Maine Climate Corps grantee has provided an unexpended funds report and will not be spending down their entire grant allocation.
There were Maine Service Fellow host site applications last fall with a climate focus that did not receive placements due to lack of funding. It seems that because there is a potential for host sites to be ready and launch projects for Maine Service Fellows more quickly than additional youth climate corps, Maine Service Fellows should be prioritized.
The Task Force recommends this funding be spent on Maine Service Fellows engaged in climate-related service. Motion from Will Sedlack to move this funding. Nathan Robbins seconded. Unanimously approved.