Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
Grants Awarded
The Village of Taos Ski Valley Trails Project will enhance and connect village trails, promoting direct access for residents and visitors. Participating corps members from Rocky Mountain Youth Corps will gain valuable life skills, workforce credentials, and academic scholarships, all while contributing to the protection of natural resources and boosting the local economy.
RMYC aims to enhance its outreach by investing in marketing efforts, particularly through social media and fundraising events, to better engage and recruit participants aged 17-25. By securing funding for a Marketing Coordinator or management services, the program seeks to improve communication with the community and increase applicant numbers, ultimately fostering greater public awareness and support for its initiatives.
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, in collaboration with the Enchanted Circle Trails Association, will create sign kiosks to enhance awareness and access to the existing trail network for underserved local residents, promoting outdoor recreation and alternative transportation. This initiative seeks to improve public health and support economic development by encouraging greater participation from the community and providing essential information to visitors.
The collaboration between Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) and Santa Fe National Forest (N.F.) will enhance trail safety and promote watershed health, directly benefiting local communities. By maintaining and restoring key trails, including those affected by the Black Feather Fire, the program seeks to improve outdoor access and resilience in fire-impacted areas.
The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is launching a substantial initiative with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to address forest challenges including forest fires, flooding, droughts, and maintenance issues. This project's goal is to improve the forest trails' quality and safety while also aiding the area's watershed health. Particular focus on trail enhancements, drainage improvements, and restoration work in key areas will attract outdoor enthusiasts and fortify the local watershed's health, benefiting surrounding communities. Some of the key initiatives include leveled tread trails, enhanced drainage systems, deadfall clearance, cut slope trades placement, and drainage placement across different trails in Espanola Ranger District and Coyote Ranger District. The project also acknowledges the intensified need due to the recent Black Feather Fire and plans to address trail degradation in the fire-affected regions for broader restoration.
The initiative aims to remove financial barriers for economically disadvantaged youths wishing to join the conservation programs by the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC), thus increasing participation and diversity. By providing necessary equipment and healthy food supplies, the program enhances outdoor experiences, promotes environmental stewardship, and boosts the overall health and well-being of participating individuals and their communities. With the help of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Outdoor Equity Grant, the initiative also strives to allow more youth involvement in environmental endeavours and widen its impact-setting a foundation for lifelong attachment with nature and conservation.
Since 1995, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) has been providing comprehensive life skills training and workforce development credentials to hundreds of youth and young adults every year. Corpsmembers in the Conservation Program work in small crews to complete a variety of land conservation, recreation and historic preservation projects that preserve natural and cultural resources and support the local economy. Some Corpsmembers serve in the American Sign Language Program which offers a unique training curriculum to high school students who are deaf and hard of hearingRMYC also offers training opportunities to youth through the Native American Program where tribal members work on community development projects located on tribal lands. One of the fastest growing programs is the Internship Program. These Corpsmembers work alongside career professionals in government agencies to support them in managing land conservation projects and public education programs. They gain valuable experience while increasing the capacity of government agencies. As an AmeriCorps program, RMYC’s Corpsmembers are paid a living stipend during their service and earn an education scholarship after they graduate from RMYC. RMYC also manages a Prevention Program in close partnership with regional organizations, businesses, law enforcement and other government agencies to reduce the impacts of drug and alcohol misuse in Taos County. RMYC employs two Preventionists to design media campaigns and conduct surveys that help evaluate and inform drug and alcohol prevention programs. One of our highest priorities is to offer our programs to underserved communities where we can have the greatest impact. Most Corpsmembers represent underserved communities. In 2022, 43% were economically disadvantaged, 56% were unemployed, 80% had no formal college education and 9% were involved in the court system prior to joining RMYC.. We work with communities where projects are located to recruit Corpsmemers to make sure we represent the diversity of communities we serve. In 2022, 32% of Crewmembers reported as African American, American Indian Asian and Other/NonWhite and 48% of all Crewmembers reported as Hispanic.