2013 Annual Report
A Message from Our President & CEO Dear Friends, Looking back on FY 2013, my first full year as President and CEO of The Corps Network, I am encouraged by our progress, excited about the opportunities before us, and as always very proud of our team here in DC and the programs we represent across the country. As the legacy of President Roosevelt s Civilian Conservation Corps, The Corps Network and its members worked throughout 2013 with many federal partners to implement the 21st Century Conservation Corps, an initiative designed to provide disadvantaged and disconnected youth (or Opportunity Youth ), with education and economic opportunities while they address some of the nation s most pressing conservation and infrastructure needs. In January, eight federal agencies and departments signed a commitment to help us grow the capacity of our Corps to engage 100,000 Corpsmembers a year! In addition, TCN continued to implement such initiatives as the Postsecondary Success Education Initiative, which is aimed at promoting and strengthening relationships between Corps and their local community colleges, and the Clean Energy Service Corps, which helps Corps implement training to give Corpsmembers a leg up in the green jobs field. And, as in previous years, TCN administered an Education Awards Program that provided thousands of Corps graduates with financial assistance to pursue further education and training. I would be remiss if I failed to recognize the significant impact our Corps had on more than 25,000 young people and hundreds of communities nationwide. Read on for greater detail about the accomplishments and opportunities mentioned above and for additional information on the work of The Corps Network in 2013. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Sprenkel President and CEO 1 The 2013 Board of Directors Joel Holtrop Board Chair Retired Deputy Chief U.S. Forest Service David Smith Vice Chair Senior Fellow, Davenport Institute Megan Walker Board Secretary Chief of Staff, Civic Enterprises Ann Cochrane Board Treasurer Executive Director, San Francisco Conservation Corps Anthony H. Anikeef Partner, Williams Mullen Harry Bruell CEO & President, Southwest Conservation Corps Laura Herrin Director of Program Innovation, The Student Conservation Association Kimberly Perry Executive Director, DC Votes Joe Scantlebury Senior Policy Officer, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Mary Ellen Sprenkel Ex Officio President & CEO, The Corps Network
Corps in Numbers 2013 = 242,618 acres of ecological habitat were restored or improved by Corps = 2,883 gardens, parks and playgrounds were improved and maintained by Corps = 10,912 homes were weatherized or retrofitted by Corps to improve energy efficiency = 8,173 miles of trail were constructed or improved by Corps = 273 disasters, including fires, floods and storms, responded to by Corps = 2,108 educational programs were delivered to communities by Corps 25,838 number of Corpsmembers in 100+ Corps programs Corpsmember race, ethnicity 11% 28% 9% 52% Corpsmembers Upon Entry 54% = 30% = unemployed not in school & did not have a GEDor diploma 4,412 12,598 65% = men 35% = women White African American Asian, American Indian/ Alaskan Native, Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Other *21% of Corpsmembers also identified as Latino 58% = 16% = from families below the poverty line formerly incarcerated or courtinvolved Corpsmembers earned a highschool diploma or GED Corpsmembers earned certifications demonstrating they had obtained specialized skills needed for success in a job or career 2
Canyon Country Youth Corps, Southwest Conservation Corps and Western Colorado Conservation Corps collaborated to remove invasive tamarisk plants from the banks of the Dolores River. The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps In 2010, President Obama launched the America s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative to develop a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda. Through listening sessions, formal recommendations and online voting, many organizations and individuals recommended developing a modernday Civilian Conservation the 21CSC As the voice of Corps in Washington, DC, The Corps Network has played a key role in implementing the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). The 21CSC is a bold national effort to put thousands of America s young people and veterans to work protecting, restoring, and enhancing America s great outdoors. Key 21CSC moments from FY13 December 2012 AGO Progress Report released, stating the Obama Administration s goal to scale up to 100,000 youth participating in environmental conservation service programs annually. January 2013 The 21CSC National Council is launched through a formal agreement among 8 federal agencies. June 2013 The Partnership for the 21CSC is established, with Mary Ellen Sprenkel, president and CEO of The Corps Network, as cochair. The P21CSC is a publicprivate partnership that supports the 21CSC s development and implementation. 3
Corps Respond to Sandy Hurricane Sandy took lives, destroyed homes and businesses, and left millions of people without power. As the storm bore down on the Northeast coast during the last days of October 2012, Corps across the country were already mobilizing to help with the relief effort. Corpsmembers played a significant role in helping communities in New York, New Jersey and five other states recover and rebuild. Some Corps worked in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and FEMA, while others organized independent of the federal response. Some Corps worked in shelters, while others cleared debris. Some Corps travelled thousands of miles to assist in the relief efforts, while other Corps worked in their own backyards. 13 Corps involved in cleanup efforts: Corpsmembers and a Crewleader from Washington Conservation Corps cleaning out the flooded basement of a home in Breezy Point, NY. AmeriCorps NCCC National Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa St. Paul, MN Green City Force New York, NY Maryland Conservation Corps Throughout state Montana Conservation Corps Bozeman, MT New Jersey Youth Corps Throughout state New York Restoration Project New York, NY Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Taos, NM Southwest Conservation Corps Throughout Southwest The Student Conservation Association National Utah Conservation Corps Logan, UT Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Richmond, VT Washington Conservation Corps Olympia, WA Corpsmember from Student Conservation Association clears damaged tree limbs in New Jersey. 4
Key Programs and Initiatives Clean Energy Service Corps (CESC) In 2010, The Corps Network received a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to fund clean energy projects at Corps across the country. Ten Corps programs enrolled clean energy crews to weatherize and retrofit homes for lowincome families, conduct energy audits, and educate people about energy efficiency practices and discounts. Through their service, CESC Corpsmembers received industryrecognized credentials and become competitive jobseekers in the growing green energy sector. By the end of Fiscal Year 2013, Clean Energy Service Corps programs... Weatherized or retrofitted 472 lowincome households or public structures Conducted energy audits on 634 lowincome households or public structures 98%of retrofitted homes saw a reduction in annual energy consumption CESC Locations Austin, TX Baltimore, MD Bend, OR Charleston, SC Postsecondary Success Education Initiative (PSEI) The PSEI, of which The Corps Network became a partner in 2012, was created in 2009 to help connect lowincome and disadvantaged youth to college and postsecondary education. This initiative funds national youth development organizations and communitybased organizations, including five corps programs. They make it possible for disconnected youth to acquire a high school diploma or GED and the academic skills to make a successful transition to postsecondary education or training. Of the 229 PSEI Participants at Corps Reading level at entry = below 9 th grade level New Orleans, LA New York, NY 72% 72% Norwich, NY Traverse City, MI Waukegan, IL of participants who needed a high school credential earned one submitted applications to postsecondary programs Corpsmember with The Sustainability Institute in Charleston, SC works on home efficiency improvements. Math level at entry = below 8 th grade level 80% participated in academic advising 5 AmeriCorps Education Awards 69% participated in a college awareness program In return for their service, Corpsmembers enrolled in The Corps Network s AmeriCorps Education Awards Program receive scholarship money that can be used to pay for future educational endeavors or to help repay student loans. Upon successful completion of their AmeriCorps term, Corpsmembers serving during the 2012 2013 season received between $1,175 and $5,550, depending on the number of hours served. In FY13, over $4.5 million was awarded to youth serving within the Education Awards Program of The Corps Network. Corpsmember graduating from Civicorps in Oakland, CA.
Members of the National Council of Young Leaders (including Philan Tree, left, a 2012 Corpsmember of the Year) meet with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. National Council of Young Leaders As a founding partner of the National Council of Young Leaders, The Corps Network helps support a body of 14 diverse young men and women from across the United States who provide information and insight to elected officials and policymakers on the issues that affect lowincome and disconnected youth. Two of The Corps Network s former Corpsmembers of the Year, Philan Tree and Ladine JR Daniels, participate on the council. Philan focuses on issues affecting rural and Native American youth, while JR advocates for youth who were previously involved with the justice system. Philan and JR s activities with the Council allow Corpsmember voices to be heard in important policy decisions. Founding Member Organizations of the National Council of Young Leaders Jobs for the Future Opportunity Nation Public Allies The Corps Network Year Up Youth Leadership Institute YouthBuild USA 6
Join the Crew In August 2013, The Corps Network published Join the Crew, a compilation of stories about the Corps experiences of over 60 young adults. Join the Crew showcases the personal growth and rewarding service opportunities Corpsmembers experience and demonstrates how Corps programs benefit people, natural places, parks and communities. The book is available on Amazon.com. In Join the Crew, you ll meet Aisha Dorn (née Dorsey) She wanted to enter a green career and now owns her own environmental business. Thanks to Aisha s experience with Civic Works, Baltimore s Service Corps, she gained the credentials and experience she needed to make her dream a reality. Germain Castellanos After a rough adolescence, a misdemeanor conviction, and getting expelled, he now leads a nonprofit designed to keep students engaged and in school. Germain credits Youth Conservation Corps in Illinois for turning his life around. 7 Chris Thomas Discharged from the Marines following injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan, Chris next served at home by putting his energy into habitat restoration with the California Conservation Corps. After reacclimating to civilian life, he now uses the leadership skills he refined in the Corps as a power lineman. An illustration from Join the Crew
Park Ranger Shelton Johnson The Corps Network 2013 National Conference At The Corps Network 2013 National Conference we were joined by noted political figures and policymakers, inspirational speakers, and leaders in conservation, youth development, and service. Park Ranger Shelton Johnson (Yosemite National Park) delivered the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the conference. During his 26 years of employment with the National Park Service, Ranger Johnson has received numerous awards for his accomplishments within the Park Service, his excellent speaking and interpretation abilities, and his efforts to document the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. Ranger Johnson used the story of the Buffalo Soldiers African American cavalrymen who were employed to patrol Yosemite and Sequoia National parks around the turn of the 20th century as a way to illustrate his point about the importance of having people of all races and backgrounds invested in our lands and resources. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined us at our annual Capitol Hill Award Ceremony. Secretary Salazar was one of the recipients of our 2013 Federal Champion Award for his support of youth corps and leadership in developing the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. Corpsmembers of the Year Luis Gaeta Fresno Local Conservation Corps Alex Hreha Coconino Rural Environment Corps Sarah Huff California Conservation Corps Projects of the Year Real Food Farm Civic Works Proving Our Parenting Skills (POPS) Fresno Local Conservation Corps Flying Weed Warriors Los Angeles Conservation Corps Brandon Penny Civicorps Raghda Raphael Urban Corps of San Diego County Jesse Roehm Mile High Youth Corps Legacy Achievement Award Marilee Eckert Conservation Corps North Bay John Irish (numerous Corps affiliations) Ira Okun (numerous Corps affiliations) 8
Statement of Financial Position September 30, 2013 Assets Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents Cash held for others Shortterm investments Accounts receivable Grants and contracts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible amounts Prepaid expenses Total current assets 2013 $1,105,355 54,167 15,763 355,296 8,971 1,539,552 Property and Equipment Office furniture and equipment Leasehold improvements Less: Accumulated depreciation Net property and equipment Total assets 39,872 21,347 (52,785) 8,434 $1,547,986 Liabilities and Net Assets Current Assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Amounts held on behalf of others Deferred revenue Total liabilities $370,419 54,167 28,456 453,042 9 Net Assets Unrestricted Undesignated Boarddesignated Total unrestricted Temporarily restricted Total net assets Total liabilities and net assets 648,262 34,923 683,185 411,759 1,094,944 1,547,986
Statement of Activities September 30, 2013 2013 Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Revenue Contribution and grants $43,985 $150,000 $193,985 Government grants 2,272,174 2,272,174 Contracts 22,542 22,542 Interest income 3,113 3,113 Membership 343,156 343,156 Registrations 89,655 89,655 Health insurance commissions 88,923 88,923 Accreditation and other income 10,550 10,550 Net assets released from donor restrictions 941,164 (941,164) Total revenue 3,815,262 (791,164) 3,024,098 Expenses Program services Services to Members 3,296.530 3,296.530 Services to National Service Programs 107,343 107,343 Government relations and public affairs 137,828 137,828 Total program services 3,541,701 3,541,701 Supporting services General and administrative 262,529 262,529 Resource Department 9,350 9,350 Total supporting services 271,879 271,879 Total expenses 3,813,580 3,813,580 Change in Net Assets 1,682 (791,164) (789,482) Net Assets Beginning of the Year 681,503 1,202,923 1,884,426 End of the Year $683,185 $411,759 $1,094,944 10
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