If you are interested in continuing your involvement as a site coordinator, or becoming one for the first time in 2012, please complete and submit the application online by March 16th:  Site Coordinator App 2012

If you are interested in being involved in the event as a volunteer please complete and submit the Earth Day Volunteer Form

YouthGROW’s Drop it Like It’s HOT SAUCE is made from scratch by YouthGROW interns and staff with seasonal ingredients from our farm when available. Our recipe was designed and tested by youth to highlight local ingredients and features the Thai Hot Pepper, the Jalapeno, and the Habanero. Your purchase supports the YouthGROW program, an agriculture and youth employment program of the Regional Environmental Council. Our profits will go towards sustaining our cooperative business and funding youth jobs.

Take the first step in getting involved by filling out our General Volunteer Information form!

Internship responsibilities include:

• Supporting the EHJ team to conduct  research on potential environmental, health and socio-economic concerns in the 5 high risk neighborhoods in Worcester (Main South, Piedmont, Bell Hill, Quisigamond Village, and Oak Hill).
• Helping the EHJ team to conduct an inventory of community vulnerabilities that may increase the risk of environmental exposures, and also develop a list of community assets, strength and resources.
• Working with the EHJ team to analyze information and prioritize the most pressing environmental health concerns collected during the community meetings.
• Conducting GIS mapping of community vulnerabilities, assets, and potential environmental hazards.
• Participating in outreach and education events with the EHJ team, and help mobilize community members to participate in community meetings in places of worship, schools community social centers etc.

See the full description and instructions to apply here:  EPA CARE Intern Spring 2012                                     

The 20 beds will be ready for planting in the spring and the space will eventually grow to house 100+ garden beds over the next few years. DPW&P is providing the use of the park, and will also be providing compost deliveries and installing a water source at the site. East Side CDC is a partner and welcoming liaison to ensure the success of this project in Bell Hill. UMass Memorial Medical Center has provided financial support of the YouthGROW program over the past several years, and is sponsoring the Grant Square Initiative.

We would love to have your involvement in helping to plant the garden, sponsoring individual beds, and attending our kick-off party in the spring. Individuals who would like to become community gardeners or are interested in the garden coordinator role should fill out the application and can contact Julius Jones at 508-799-9139 or ugrow@recworcester.org.

New England GreenStart members increase the total amount of green energy
purchased in the state, which creates a demand for more renewable energy technology, causing more wind turbines and other renewable energy sources to be built. Signing up for New England GreenStart is voting with your electric bill for more renewables.

Through your membership, Mass Energy is also able to support other community
organizations who help us spread the word.
Sign up today and earn a donation for REC!

The Cleanups are truly a community-wide event, and only possible with the participation and support of many partners. We are tremendously grateful for your support, in the form of sponsorships, donations of gloves and bags, and for asking your friends and family to join you on the streets early on a Saturday morning!  As you can see, we were able to make a strong impact,

This year’s Cleanups were organized by the REC in partnership with the City of Worcester’s Department of Public Works and National Grid.