Environmental Service Learning Initiative
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
Empowering our youth today to be ready to tackle our planet's environmental challenges is the first step to creating a better tomorrow. Global Exchange has taken that first step to form a collaboration with the Department of Children Youth and their Families (DCYF), the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and Community Education Services (CES) to create the Environmental Service Learning Initiative (ESLI) to bring critical environmental education through youth empowered service learning into high school classrooms throughout the city of San Francisco.
Program Director, Candice Wicks, puts the goals of ESLI into her own words,
The best way to change something is to teach the next generation differently. We desperately try to repair and restore the damage that we have done to our earth: a changing climate, toxic air, nearly full landfills, disappearing species, polluted water, food scarcity, you name it. We are searching for a solution to our self-destructive plight. The solution is our youth. Our young people must be taught from early childhood that they are stewards of the earth and that it is their responsibility to use the earth with the utmost respect and care. ESLI seeks to empower youth to take action in defending our earth through student-led service learning projects.
Since the Initiative started in San Francisco classrooms in the fall of 2008, these high schools have already started making a difference in the local community from participating in the San Francisco Green Festival's Youth Unity tent to organizing the 1st Annual SF Youth Unity Eco-Fest: Environmental Summit and Green Block Party. The event was an inspiring day of learning and celebration entirely planned BY YOUTH, FOR YOUTH! Check out the photos from the event.
Can't wait until next year! In the meantime, check out the ESLI page where you can take a peek at our future movers and shakers. Next step, a school district near you...