The Urban Corps of San Diego County (UCSDC) is one of 17 organizations statewide selected to receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which is being administered by California ReLeaf. UCSDC’s mission is to provide job training and educational opportunities to young adults, in the fields of conservation, recycling, and community service which will assist these youths in becoming more employable, while protecting San Diego’s natural resources and instilling the importance of community involvement.
The $167,000 grant for UCSDC’s Woods to the Hoods project will allow the Urban Corps to plant about 400 trees in three low-income, high-crime, and severely underserved Redevelopment Areas within San Diego. Combined, the three areas — Barrio Logan, City Heights and San Ysidro – represent mixed-use neighborhoods of light industrial businesses and homes, near ship repair facilities and shipyards; and one of the busiest border crossings in the world, with more than 17 million vehicles crossing daily between the U.S. and Mexico.
Corps members will not only be gaining valuable on-the-job training as part of this project, but will also be working closely with the people and businesses in the targeted neighborhoods with the goal of improving air quality, adding shade and enhancing the livability of these areas.
Fast Facts for the UCSDC ARRA Grant
Jobs created: 7
Jobs retained: 1
Trees Planted: 400
Trees Maintained: 100
Job Hours Contributed to 2010 Work Force: 3,818
Lasting legacy: Once completed, this project will have provided critical training in the green jobs sector for young adults while also creating a healthier, cleaner, and more livable environment for both San Diego residents and visitors.
“In addition to the benefits of trees in mitigating pollution and beautifying an area, tree planting and the care and maintenance of trees is a wonderful way for neighbors to come together in support of their communities.” – Sam Lopez, Director of Operations, Urban Corps of San Diego County.