Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 25, 2023.
Editorial: Pa. Youth Service Corps deserves bipartisan support
Legislation proposed by two House Democrats would create a Pennsylvania Youth Service Corps, providing jobs to clean up the environment and undertake other public service. It merits approval by the state House and Senate. This worthwhile proposal, advanced in a memo of intent by Josh Siegel of Lehigh County and Melissa Shusterman of Chester County, should reflect not only successful youth service corps in other states, but also the particular needs of Pennsylvania’s young people and public spaces.
The Pennsylvania Youth Service Corps would promote public service and work values, lower youth unemployment rates — typically more than double the adult rate — and give young people throughout Pennsylvania a chance to earn while serving their communities.
Similar programs in California and Washington hire young people to preserve and improve local ecologies by planting trees and cleaning up local rivers, roadsides and green spaces. High school-aged students are paid for their work and learn skills that could assist them in pursuing environmental careers. Young people also learn so-called soft skills and values, such as teamwork, leadership, civic responsibility, working established hours and showing up for the job on time. The programs expose many youth to new places and experiences.
The federal government also operates an eight-to-ten-week Youth Conservation Corps that employs...
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