What We Do

The AmeriCorps Climate READY (Recreation, Education, Awareness, Demonstration, and Youth) Program is an opportunity to engage in outdoor recreation and the natural environment while supporting residents of Detroit in becoming resilient to climate change.

Our Work

Climate R.E.A.D.Y. members engage residents of the city of Detroit in discussions of climate change effects specific to the community, perform demonstrations of climate resiliency solutions, and provide relevant interventions based on climate change assessments done in and around the neighborhood.

“The goal is for us to change the way we support community members while helping to foster beautiful relationships between youth and the outdoors.”

— Amanda Brezzell M.S. ; Program Director for the AmeriCorps Climate R.E.A.D.Y. Program

What do Climate R.E.A.D.Y. Youth Do?

  • Engage residents to increase their knowledge of environmental stewardship and environmentally conscious practices. 

  • Participate in daily environmental education centered around climate change impacts and resilience, heat island effects, air quality impacts, increased wet weather risks (flooding), waste reduction, greenhouse gas reduction, green jobs, and more.

  • Participate in environmental stewardship opportunities such as tree/pollinator planting, park improvements, removal of litter or invasive species, shoreline clean-up, or other community climate-conscious efforts. 

  • Participate and be engaged in outdoor recreation and hands-on learning related to helping the environment.

  • Assist with improving hazard awareness and demonstrate green infrastructure installations for residents of Detroit.

  • Engage with organizations and experts from diverse ecological, social, and governing backgrounds across the city of Detroit.

  • Explore the many types of in-office and in-field opportunities offered by the green jobs industry and non-profit community organizations.

What does R.E.A.D.Y. Mean?

Recreation: Through this program, members will have an opportunity to be introduced to the outdoor environment and will engage in local recreational activities designed to increase their ease and comfort outdoors, while fostering their appreciation of nature.

Education: Members will be engaged in experiential hands-on learning to strengthen their understanding and support their engagement with community residents. This will weave environmental education into daily activities, centered around weekly themes related to climate change impacts & resiliency.

This can look like learning tailored to understanding the heat island effect, air quality impacts, increased flooding, waste reduction, greenhouse gas reduction, and green jobs. 

Awareness:  Through outreach efforts, community members and AmeriCorps members will have greater awareness of local climate change concerns, city service providers/regulating authorities to contact with environmental and/or public health concerns, and local environmental organizations to connect with for volunteerism. 

Demonstration: Members assist with improving hazard awareness through the use of measurement instrumentation.  Climate READY members will conduct a Total Environment Home Safety Assessment (TEHSA). The results of this environmental assessment will educate community members about indoor air pollutants, mold sampling, energy efficiency lighting, and green infrastructure. Then members will intervene to help decrease the risk of flooding, mold, and other hazards.

Youth: In addition to the recreational exposure Climate READY will increase members’ awareness of in-demand green job careers through exposure to Detroit’s green job network, and available internships.

  • This program connects member activities to community needs to increase the number of residents with greater environmental awareness and community resiliency in Detroit. For members, this will be a paid opportunity to develop real-world skills and experience through hands-on service.

  • This program exposes members to understanding climate change, environmental stewardship, ecological awareness, and civic and community engagement.

  • Members will receive comprehensive training at the beginning of their term, as well as ongoing feedback and support to successfully achieve program objectives.