Stories
Leadership Spotlight:
Antoine Penn
Oakland native Antoine Penn originally joined the East Bay Conservation Corps in May 2005 as a Corpsmember and was promoted to become an Operations Intern. In 2007, he joined the California Conservation Corps in Ukiah, where he earned his high school diploma and served as a Wildland Firefighter, Trail Specialist and Habitat Restoration Specialist.
Antoine was promoted to Fire Supervisor where he served from 2012 to 2015. He returned to Oakland and Civicorps in 2016 as a Field Supervisor and promoted to Recycling Supervisor and ultimately his current role as Recycling Coordinator.
Antoine credits the Local Corps for transforming his life and providing a better path forward. Antoine says that being that change agent in other young peoples lives is his favorite part of his work. On a personal note, Antoine likes to spend time in nature, practice mindfulness & meditation, enjoys reading and creative writing, and spending time with his family.
Donor Spotlight:
Yali Lincroft
The CLCC Foundation interviewed Yali Lincroft, Vice President of Philanthropic Services at Walter S. Johnson Foundation, which is a founding donor of the CLCC Foundation.
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What is your professional experience? How did you get into the philanthropic world?
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​I have been at the Walter S. Johnson Foundation for over 10 years. I am also very well connected and care about a lot of needs in my community as a board member for the Children’s Campaign Fund and the National Association of Council for Children. I also have varied experience in local, state and federal level program planning and legislation focused on children and vulnerable populations involved with the public welfare system.
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​What are the Walter S. Johnson Foundation’s focuses?
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​Our focuses are both narrow and broad! We focus on disconnected youth - youth not in school and not in work. We are broad in who we support and who does that work - and this can be from all types of organizations and agencies doing good work to help support disconnected youth.
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What is your favorite part of the work you do at the Foundation?
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I love the chance to meet people and organizations, like the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation. I love working with great missions and great experienced leaders to make a change for their mission and the population they serve. It is in the passionate individuals at organizations where you can see how much they believe in what they do. I love going on-site visits and seeing the work in action. Another one of my favorite parts of the work I do is seeing Corpsmembers who now lead the Local Corps organizations or have jobs in state government, as a CAL FIRE firefighter for instance. I believe young people can make tremendous change if given the opportunity.
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You are one of the California Local Conservation Corps Foundations (CLCCF) initial funders. You believed in our mission from the very beginning. What interested you about CLCCF?
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The Foundation currently funds some of the Bay Area Local Corps, so I was already bought into and knew the reach and success of the Local Conservation Corps in California. CLCCF’s Executive Director, Bruce Saito brought a lot of credibility to your organization. Bruce is a successful leader and has been in the field for most of his life and has credibility with his peers, not just in California but everywhere. ​
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I also believe in the value of Corps programs. Local Conservation Corps offer an option where young people can go as far as they can. They can stay at the Conservation Corps and become someone like Bruce or become a firefighter - or take that skill set and move on to college.
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We also know that while funding the Foundation, we know we are helping and funding all 14 Corps to do their work. Our support has helped support the basic and critical needs for success as young people - sometimes including food, so they are not hungry and can focus, learn and work.
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One way that disconnected youth need to be supported is through their mental health. It is more important than ever to have the support programs in place, access to resources, and ways to talk about and support those needs. Right now, wait lists can be up to 2 years. Mental health is not something that can wait that long. No way. Local Corps help fill those gaps for these disconnected youth and we are happy to be a part of that work.​ While you are not a mental health organization, if their head is not in the right place, the job training program can’t do its job.
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How does WSJF and CLCCF connect in their missions and interests?
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Both my Foundation and the Local Corps in California work on the same critical population of disconnected youth. Our goal is creating space for and bettering lives for disconnected youth, which is exactly the work of your foundation and the 14 Local Conservation Corps in the state of California.
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Alumni Spotlight:
Mohammad
The CLCC Foundation is thrilled to share that through funds secured from the re:wild organization for our Alumni Support Program, we are able to directly support Corpsmembers as they navigate challenges and pursue their goals. Mohammad, a recent high school graduate from Urban Corps Charter School of San Diego, chose to attend college to further develop his interest in conservation biology. When Mohammad enrolled in Grossmont College’s biology program, our re:wild alumni support funds equipped him with the resources needed to successfully work toward his educational goals. The Foundation is incredibly proud of Mohammad and grateful to re:wild for their generous support.
Corpsmember Spotlight:
David Millenge
Exciting news from Capitol Hill! This year, David Millenge, recognized as the Corpsmember of the Year from the Urban Corps of San Diego, had the incredible experience of representing his organization during the Corps Network’s Hill Day in Washington, D.C. David had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler to discuss the vital work and mission of the American Climate Corps. Their discussions focused on the importance of investing in sustainable initiatives, empowering young leaders, and driving forward the national effort to combat climate change. We're proud to see David bringing attention to the impact of Corpsmembers across the country!
Corpsmember Spotlight:
Naudika Williams
Our Alumni Support Program, sponsored by re:wild, continues to help alumni and transitioning Corpsmembers throughout the state, as they move into climate or conservation related careers or college enrollment. Naudika Williams, a former Civicorps corpsmember, was provided a bike to commute to their new wastewater department internship with East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The internship is part of a Limited Term Special Employment Program (SEP) Community Trainee Program (CTP). It is a one year employment program providing training and work experience. Naudika commutes from Richmond to Oakland on the Metro and bikes to the train stations to and from.
Corpsmember Spotlight:
John Gallo & River Rangers
John Gallo and Los Angeles Conservation Corps River Rangers are in the news! Thank you LA CityView35 for covering this essential program that’s creating opportunities for young adults and keeping the LA River beautiful. And shoutout to the Office of Community Beautification for supporting and implementing this important program.The River Rangers program is a state-funded effort through the Californians For All grant. Thank you, California Volunteers!
