Inspired by Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal programs, it's the state agency that's been described as a combination "Jesuit seminary, Israeli kibbutz and Marine Corps boot camp." For over three decades, the California Conservation Corps has offered job training to thousands of once aimless young men and women and then put them to work planting forests, building trails and responding to natural disasters. The CCC's been applauded by both Democrats and Republicans as an example of a government program that works. combining liberal activism with respect for hard work and self-reliance. But despite the praise, the Corps existence is in peril because of the state's budget crisis. SoCal Connected profiles the mission of the corps, the young men and women who sign up, and the debate over whether California can still afford to keep the CCC.
RELATED RESOURCES: California Conservation Corps California Conversation Corps' YouTube Channel The Claremont Institute
WEB ORIGINAL:
Behind the Scenes of Saving the Corps - By Christal Smith - In the course of researching the current state of the California Conservation Corps, we met 21-year-old Alex Cook, corpsmember and poet extraordinaire.
Great story! Among all the bad news we're getting about the economy and California in general, it is refreshing to see a story about kids doing something positive to better themselves!
Great story! Among all the bad news we're getting about the economy and Californ...
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Behind the Scenes of Saving the Corps - By Christal Smith - In the course of researching the current state of the California Conservation Corps, we met 21-year-old Alex Cook, corpsmember and poet extraordinaire.
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Great story! Among all the bad news we're getting about the economy and California in general, it is refreshing to see a story about kids doing something positive to better themselves!