ECOS = Environmental
Stewardship and Workforce Development
Overview - "Working the Economy"
ECOS (Environmental Connection Opportunities for Students) meets the challenge of environmental
justice1 through the projected growth of employment in environmental
fields. Young adults are educated about local environmental issues, provided
an opportunity to actively participate in environmental work, and
exposed to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the field. Through ECOS the students understand that they can have a personal and a financial stake in improving the environment.
Need - Dropouts and Unemployment
According to America's Promise, the graduation rate in the Kansas City school district is 45.7%. Missouri dropouts experience a correspondingly
high level of unemployment (20%) compared to 4.4% for high school graduates, and earn on average $10,000 a year less than a high school graduate.2 The potential public benefit in state income and taxes, Medicaid and incarceration costs of reducing each dropout in Missouri is approximately $4,000 annually and $95,000 over the life of each dropout prevented. 2
The Promise of Service Learning for Dropout Prevention
A 2008 study by Civic Enterprises revealed that academic achievement may not be the primary reason students dropout. The study found that 70% of dropouts reported that they did not see the real-world applications of their schoolwork. In addition, 80% of students believed that if schools provided opportunities for real-world learning including service-learning and internships, their chances of graduating would improve.
Environmental Employment is Growing
Kansas City faces a $4B sewer and stormwater project, mounting air quality issues, diminishing landfill space and the need to plant 120k trees in the next 10 years. All of these projects will require a local workforce. KC Metro Job Growth
The Time is Right
The time is right
for programming that combines a focus on Kansas City’s urban
youth, environmental issues, and employment. Through the ECOS program we have the opportunity to make life better for our urban youth and our local environment, using the power of the economy.
Support
Green Works in Kansas City
1 Environmental Justice is defined as the fair treatment
and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race,
color, national origin, or income with respect to the environment.
2 Brian J. Gottlob, The High Cost of Failing to Reform Public Education in Missouri, Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation, March 2006
Non-Discrimination
Green Works in Kansas City is committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities to qualified students regardless of economic or social status. Green Works will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or physical disability.
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