Discover how a Youth Climate Corps can empower your community to tackle environmental challenges at our online event on 30th October 2023!
Date and time Monday, October 30 · 1 - 2pm PST
Location Online
About this event
Join the City of Kamloops and the City of Nelson climate staff for a one hour webinar to discuss their experience and outcomes of running Youth Climate Corps pilot projects. The webinar will include testimonial from youth participants, an overview of the history and growth of Youth Climate Corps, and opportunities for Q and A.
Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is an employment program that connects young people aged 17-30 with jobs and training in local jobs related to climate action while paying them a living wage.
YCCBC works to make progress towards BC’s commitments to net-zero by 2050 by scaling up a motivated, organized, and adaptable youth labour force needed for net-zero policy implementation and a green economy. YCCBC programs are focused on scaling up community climate action projects, preparing young workers for the new green economy, and building up the leadership capacity of young leaders. In 2023, YCCBC partnered with the City of Nelson and the City of Kamloops to help operationalize projects that contributed to the implementation of the Cities climate goals. Past and current projects include energy efficiency, food security, active transportation, wildfire mitigation, community engagement and ecosystem restoration.
The event will be hosted by: Cecilia Jaques (she/her), B.A, MSc. Senior Climate & Energy Strategist, City of Nelson Cecilia works at the intersection between strategy, engagement, and sustainability and is driven by her mission to build an equitable and resilient future for all. She holds a Masters in Sustainability Science from Lund University in Sweden, has published in the Journal of Sustainability MDPI, and is a Certified Change Management Practitioner. In her current role, Cecilia stewards the implementation of the City of Nelson's Climate Plan "Nelson Next" which contains some of the most ambitious climate targets in Canada. Cecilia is committed to leveraging her passion and education to advocate for climate justice, youth inclusion in decision-making, and the integration of mindfulness to support collective well-being. Glen Cheetham (he/him), B.A, CEM Climate and Sustainability Manager, City of Kamloops In his role as Climate and Sustainability Manager with the City of Kamloops, Glen leads a team focused on advancing the City's climate action goals, including developing the awarding-winning Community Climate Action Plan, which was adopted by City Council on June 29, 2021 (which also happened to be the hottest day on record at a sweltering 47.3°). Other initiatives include implementing the BC Energy Step Code, Community EV and E-Bike Strategy and the Renovate Smart Kamloops program. This summer he facilitated a community effort to establish a local Bike Valet service and collaborated with the Youth Climate Corps BC to develop and deliver the Climate Friendly Homes Program. Ben Simoni (he/him), MA Executive Director, Youth Climate Corps BC Ben is excited about the potential for systemic change that Youth Climate Corps BC can bring to communities and youth. Ben has enjoyed developing meaningful partnerships with local government, and sees the potential for bringing in young people to support the goals of the community. “Youth are key stakeholders in our communities, and we need to give them the means and agency to make purposeful change.” Ben believes it's about time youth got paid for their work fighting for a sustainable and habitable future. -> REGISTER NOW