Green Works in Kansas City

I love working with Green Works in Kansas City. As an occasional volunteer, it is so easy to see the impact that Green Works makes on the Kansas City community by developing young teens into productive and professional members of society. We hosted a Green Works intern at my company 2 summers ago and she was a great asset to the team while she was with us - and she learned a lot about her future career field with first-hand experience!

I had so much fun during my time in the Green Works program because I met a lot of friends, and people to help guide me. From leading campaigns to earning Internships, I have learned so many lessons: how to sustain the environment, conduct myself for jobs, networking, and overall, getting to meet awesome new people! Green Works has a lot to offer and provides a positive stimulus for those who are interested, and yet deserving of their achievements.

Greenworks is one of the most nimble and dynamic nonprofits in Kansas City. Their work connects high school with experiences that help them explore future careers that can build healthy and sustainable communities. Cheers to the companies that partner with Greenworks to provide experiential learning experiences for students with limited opportunities.

I have been a supporter of Green Works in Kansas City for many years because of how well Green Works achieves its mission of helping educate urban youth about the environment while teaching them lifelong job skills. Along the way Green Works also helps these youth gain confidence in themselves and their ability to make a difference in the future.

Green Works students have visited Olsson for the past two years to learn about careers in engineering, landscape architecture and urban planning. The students are very engaged in the projects we do and have a keen interest in the career options. It is a wonderful way for our company to engage with students and it seems as if the students have a meaningful experience.

I have participated in mentoring and practice interview workshops with Greenworks KC. Kate and her team do a fantastic job connecting students with professionals to build their confidence and skills. The emphasis on sustainability centric curriculum is spot on!

Green Works the mightiest nonprofit in KC. The depth and breadth of their programs are unmatchable. The education, exposure and networking opportunities created by Green Works are truly transformative & life changing for the students.

I have attended events sponsored by GreenWorks allowing me the opportunity to speak with youth involved in the program and hear them share about their learnings and work. This organization does an excellent job in engaging youth in hands on learning activities that help the youth grow in their knowledge of the environment - the many challenges facing our environment and how they can make change. Green Works is also an amazing community partner providing high interest learning opportunities for a range of groups teaching us about the water treatment systems in KC and how integral the Missouri River is to our city; learning about native plants and the role they play in a healthy environment and so much more.
The creative staff and proactive leadership of the organization makes it a successful model for environmental education in KC!

Green Works KC just keeps getting better and better! The organization has been able to provide great education and training for urban youth, as well as paid internships in the summer.

Extraordinary dedication to the underserved urban core student makes working with Green Works a pleasure... and their thoughtful programming means it's fun for every one involved, too!

I have attended a number of programs hosted by Green Works. Each one showcased topics that student mentees are engaged with. I have been consistently impressed by the students and the work skills and experience that they have gained through Green Works. Green Works makes a difference!

For more than a decade, Green Works in Kansas City has been helping vulnerable youth experience the joy of learning while also helping them improve the environment. Through their excellent hands-on educational programs and internships, they have helped scores of youth gain the connections and positive experiences needed to overcome trauma, poverty, and negative classroom interactions. They help youth gain resiliency and the success needed to go on to lead healthy productive adult lives. As an agency that works with our community's homeless young people, we are grateful to partner with Green Works in Kansas City to help heal lives and improve the world.

As a former student and now program assistant, I love seeing the students find their passions and get excited by the process of developing their professional portfolios. Green Works’ Excelerate program is providing students a direct route to professional career placements that would have been otherwise hard to find.

As a supporter and board member of Green Works, I can say without hesitation that it is a 5-star nonprofit. Kate Corwin and the impressive Green Works staff are making a difference in the lives of students in Kansas City. Their work is inspiring and makes me feel better about our future workforce.

As a board member over the last two years, I've witnessed firsthand the impact Green Works has had on Kansas City's urban youth. Their job development programs provide critical life skills that translate in to some incredible internship opportunities. And Green Works focus on environmental education addresses a huge need by exposing kids to all the wonders the natural world . The passion Green Works' staff and leadership brings to these programs has been truly inspiring.

Being a part of Green Works has jump-started my career as an engineer. I have been a part of Green Works since I was a junior in high school, now I am a freshman in college. In the program I learned the importance of maintaining the environment and I learned new things in that class every day. I also got to be in a commercial for water quality to educate the community on why not to litter. If it wasn't for Green Works I wouldn't have the experience of interning at an engineering firm called HNTB. Through this internship I got to meet influential members of the community Mayor Sly James, State Representative Randy Dunn, and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority CEO Joe Reardon. Being a part of this program is a once in a lifetime chance and if I could go back I would have signed up as a freshman.

My name is Jasmine Herrera and I am currently a senior at Alta Vista high school. I was fortunate enough to hear about Green Works by Charlotte and was instantly interested in the type of career building they helped with. One of my biggest challenges before coming to Green Works was being unsure of what I wanted to do for my career. Charlotte helped guide me by doing personality tests and exercises to figure out what I want to do which is becoming a fire fighter after college. Thanks to Green Works, I can say I really know myself and know what I will do with my life.

My name is Ana Rios. I am a current high school senior at Alta Vista Charter High School. At this point in school is time to start thinking about what we want to pursue. Green Works has been an amazing help that has help me be ready for the journey that is coming ahead. I've always been a shy person and many times is because I think that I am not able to maintain a conversation going because of my English level. However, Green Works has greatly impacted how I see my challenges because I have learn that it's those challenges that help stand out. In Green Works I have learn a lot about public speaking skills that have help me feel more comfortable talking to new people about my goals and challenges.

My name is Roxana and I am a Senior at Alta Vista Charter High School. I'm interested in biochemistry but I never had the confidence to be sure. Green Works while helping develop my professional skills offered me an internship in a college suited to biomedical sciences. This internship will set me into the right path and help me gain the confidence I am lacking.

My name is Sayra Ferman and I am a Senior at Alta Vista Charter High School. This non-profit organization has helped and continues helping me to develop my life skills and to have the opportunity to know more about myself. It has help me to prepare for the future and how to get things done without being so stressed. In this course I've improved in my public speaking skill, a skill that is essential if you want to get a job. Also, this organization not only assist me with my life skills, but also it provides me with opportunities to get a job that assist me with my future career.

My name is Katherine Villalta, I'm a senior at Alta Vista Charter High School and was introduced to this program by Charlotte. My biggest challenge through out high school was public speaking and not knowing what field to pursue after high school. Through out this program, I was guided through the struggles I faced and learned how to speak to the public without nervously moving and shaking.

My name is David and before green works i was trying to find a start to my future career. Being able to be apart of Green Works was a good experience. Before coming to green works my interview skills, resume, and speech was bad, but being in this program it strengthened all those things. What green works did for me was push me towards what career I wanted to do. They introduced me to new people who i now have connections with. Not only did they just teach you but at the end they offered me a internship in the path of my career choice.

I am Alicia Florez and I currently am a senior at Alta Vista Charter High School. Before I had Green Works I really struggled with public speaking and being really passive when speaking to strangers. Everyone in my class at Green Works really pushed me to become more comfortable talking with others by giving me advice on my projection and having confidence in my words. Now, after Green Works I have no problem going in front of a crowd of people and speaking, and I also have no problem starting a conversation with a stranger.

My name is Edith and I'm a senior in High School. I have always been an indecisive person that had no idea what I wanted to do career wise. So when I heard about Green Works I applied immediately because I wanted to find what I was passionate about. The Green Works training helped me narrow down my career interests to Environmental Law. Thanks to Green Works I was able to obtain an environmental law internship.

I am a junior at Northeast High School. I took Excelerate for my very first time this year. Before coming to Excelerate I'd never talked to a group of unknown people. It was a new experience I had here at Excelerate. Charlotte our teacher taught not only me but a few other students how to feel comfortable speaking with people that we don't know. Also because of Green Works i have the opportunity to work in carpentry which is the career I'm looking forward to.

I am Kelsea a sophomore at East High School. I have been involved with the Green Works Program for two years now, ECOS last year and Excelerate and ECOS this year. I never had experience with public speaking or interviewing skills before, I never even had a resume, but now I am great with public speaking and interviewing, and have such a great long resume. At first, honestly I just joined for the checks they give out for coming to the class. But now I come because I really enjoy it! I love learning about the environment what I can personally do to help out. I have learned more about what I put in my body and how to keep a healthy clean environmental safe home. Now because of Green Works, I am about to have my first job and I have so much knowledge about a good healthy lifestyle and have learned how to better care for myself my home my garden and my community. Both of these programs are very helpful and can and will help you in any future career goals that you may have. I will personally recommend these programs to anyone who ask me about them, they are fun and very helpful.

I am a junior at Hogan High school. I run track. I have been involved in Green Works Excelerate for two years. Before Green Works I didn't know how important it was to recycle. I also have never talked to anyone about my career. In ECOS program we did a lot of recycling projects we also went to a landfill, restore habitat. In Excelerate I talked to professionals about what I want to do for my career. Because of Green Works I now recycle, I experienced public speaking, I love learning new things about my environment.

I served as the evaluator of the first year of services by Green Works of Kansas City. The outcomes from this hands-on, experiential learning and workforce development nonprofit agency were highly successful. They ranged from major attitudinal and behavioral changes supporting the environment and quality of life for the teen participants to an average gain of several grade levels in science achievement over that of the control group. We know from research that experiential learning is the most effective way to teach all levels of learners, but we rarely find the systems in place for urban teens to learn science and workforce skills in such enriched learning settings that Green Works creates. What is most important to me is the dedication of founder Kate Corwin and her cadre of staff and volunteers to young people getting onto the ladder of success through quality career education, meaningful science-based learning, hands-on workforce internships and community education. I have become an enthusiastic supporter and donor of Green Works as one of the most worthy nonprofits I can support to benefit underserved teens and to diversify and widen the science careers pipeline in regional Kansas City.

I loved the boat ride on the Missouri River. Thank you for the awesome experience! - Karla

Green Works is a small nonprofit with a truly sustainable impact

I conducted an evaluation of Green Works (as a volunteer) that used Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping to learn from students how participating in Green Works helps them meet their goals. Students drew maps to show how Green Works programs is leading them to success. They could define their own goals - most were along the lines of going to college or employment - often both. From the students' perspective, Green Works is building their social capital, helping them feel comfortable in work environments, helping them understand how to manage the money they earn through internships, environmental stewardship, and helping them cultivate what they called a service ethic. Green Works makes a big difference in the lives of urban teens and young adults.

With a pecuniary outlook, I read "Green Works" as a sentence. Green is currency... cash. Nothing motivates like the promise of success and, for most of us, success and monetary payment are one and the same. Green Works strives to connect persons too young to have tasted success with a real paycheck for the first time by doing work that is clearly worthwhile after helping them learn why and how it IS worthwhile. And then helping them stay their course. Is that worth supporting? Or what!

I began working with Green Works in 2010 and I really enjoyed every aspect that was covered. From environmental awareness, pollution, to job opportunities and meeting great people to help with furthering career choices, Green Works was a huge help. Not only did I learn so much about preserving the Earth but I was given a mentor with my exact career interest along with summer internshipd. Expanding this program seems ideal because of its great help for teens in the community. Now, at age 21, I still am connected with multiple contacts through Green Works and I love the involvement with such a helpful and educational program. Definitely would recommend others to get into it.

I have two sons who participated in Green Works programming. They learned a lot about the environment and shared what they learned with our family, but also our friends and neighbors. After the solid waste unit they went up and down our street encouraging neighbors to participate in curbside recycling. Now our street is littered with blue bins on trash day! Along with the environmental knowledge they both gained significant confidence and improved their soft skills during their internships. One of my sons is currently in college, and the other is successfully employed. His employer told me that the internship experience was the reason he got an interview. I am so grateful for the life-changing experiences Green Works provided for my sons!

Green Works in Kansas City has changed the lives of many young people as well as their friends and family. And it will continue to have a positive effect on future generations. I have supported this fine organization from its inception and am impressed over and over again by its founder, the students, and the board.

I have known Kate for years. She has brought her own personal values to this organization, consisting of integrity, sense of community, inspiration, and grit. This organization does tremendous work to help the youth of this city, truly making a difference in the lives of others, the community and the planet. I am pleased and inspired to be able to support Kate in helping make Kansas City an even better city!

I met Kate several years ago and learned about Green Works. What an impressive organization for youth to learn the benefits of preserving the environment. I have supported it for several years and cannot think of a better endeavor to endorse!

Lou Eisenbrandt

My daughter, Kara, was a participant in Greenworks during the 2014-2015 school year. This program has helped reinforce in her a deeper desire to use our planet and its resources responsibly. The classes were interesting. But the field trips that showed the students what really happens to our trash, the impact of plastic bottles, how delicate our water cycle is is what makes this program so amazing. We are very pleased. Thank you, Greenworks.

I have been involved with Green Works in Kansas City since Kate Corwin founded the agency and I am extremely impressed by how far this small nonprofit has come in eight short years!

From the beginning, Kate has placed a priority on establishing programs that will result in tangible outcomes intended to help Green Works participating students learn about the environment AND gain the skills they need to be productive adults - how to create and manage a budget ... how to write a resume and interview for a job ... how to determine what careers are best suited to their interests and talents ... how to conserve water, not litter and maintain this great city we call home ... how to be be interested in the world, to ask questions and become involved.

It is true that Green Works only impacts a small number of students - but that number grows every year - and while the number may be fewer than other well-funded agencies - Green Works commits to working with their students for two years (at a minimunm) and it is this commitment that allows them to produce fabulous results! Just read some of the students testimonials included here.

Not only does Green Works produce fabulous outcomes, but under Kate's stewardship, they run a financially lean organization. When you donate to Green Works, you know your dollar is being used prudently to advance the mission. Many other large funders know it too - the EPA, Audubon Society, the Shumaker Family Foundation, State Farm, KCP&L, Whole Foods, the United Way and many other organizations that have high standards for their philanthropic dollars. You can trust your charitable investment to Green Works!

I still don't know why more people don't know about this great organization and I hope that by sharing my enthusiasm for Green Works' programs, others will feel compelled to help share the story about this truly great nonprofit.

I have been in Green works since my freshman year of high school and I'm currently in my junior year of high school. Being in Green Works has been a wonderful opportunity and I'm so glad I signed up for the program. Green Works has had a huge impact on my life and my academic career. I've learned a lot of things about different topics. From water pollution to how to budget my money in a real life situation. I've become good friends with the other students in the program and I've developed a large network through this program. I earned a paid summer intership at a boutique through Green Works and I loved it! I gained experience and it's something else I can add to my resume! I encouraged some of my friends to join the program and they enjoyed the program as well. I will continue to recommend this program to my peers. This is such a great program to be apart of and I hope it continues to grow and help students achieve success.

I love working with Green Works! I worked for three different companies during the summers and I've met so many influential, reliable people to network with! I am on my way to college working for a health care clinic that would look great on my resume, thanks to Green Works in Kansas City! I would never regret signing the form to join something so spectacular. I will never forget the boat ride on the Missouri/Kansas River, the first time I've rode in a canoe, or even my first time holding a snake! I highly recommend this organization to any student who lacks networking, communication, and overall exposure to a friendly, resourceful environment!
Thank You Kate!!!

Green Works is a great organization, filled with exciting opportunities for young teens in the Kansas City Urban Area. Green Works does many different engaging programs, so that the young teens can get involved and really help their community in many different ways, such as planting trees along Brush Creek, or weeding out community gardens, so that the community around them can eat from it and be happy. I have learned many different things from this program, such as a more complex and in depth understanding of the many weather cycles of the world, to making and creating my own resume that I will use for my entire life. This program does wonders for those who take the time to participate in it. Green Works can also give you the opportunity to have internships during the summer. I have had two internships so far, and I've really enjoyed both of them quite a bit. The exposure and the connections that you obtain with those internships are really amazing and can help teens become future successful adults. None of this would be possible without Green Works and I truly appreciate this program.

I appreciate Green Works because it's engaging students in science curriculum that is relevant to their lives. They are grappling with sustainability issues now as teens which will lay the foundation with how they grapple with these very real issues as adult voters and community members. Green Works is equipping young people to see complexity and thoughtfully consider one's impact and role in the world.

I have been a supporter of Greenworks KC for a number of years and have been very impressed by the ability of the organization to engage urban youth. Not only is Greenworks KC successful in involving students in service projects which improve the quality of the environment in and around Kansas City, the organization also provides them with opportunities to attend planning meetings and other events where the students advocate for their community.

I've had the privilege of meeting several students who have participated in the programs at Green Works. I was so impressed by their passion to improve the environment and educate their communities. They were truly inspiring and reflect the passion and commitment of founder, Kate Corwin. Green Works makes a huge difference in the lives of so many in our community and I am proud to be a supporter.

Green Works in Kansas City is a terrific program that educates youth in the urban core around green practice and awareness. I have supported the program due to its meangingful vision and practical approach to education, training and job placement in the green industry. Focusing on the urban core is key to developing environmental practice in the Kansas City metro. Seeing youth progress through job training and placement is a great joy. I am happy to support Green Works In Kansas City!

Diane Patrick
kansas City Missouri

Participating in Green Works in Kansas City is satisfying in a variety of ways, because our efforts (and Kate Corwin's amazing vision) has a ripple effect through the community. With Green Works Kansas City we have a holistic approach to not only learning, but to the environment, the economy, city government, the community, the nation and the planet. Students learn how these forces are all innerrelated, how one effects the other, etc. This is an education that some wait a lifetime for and these kids are getting it in highschool. Despite the challenges these kids face, the information is getting in their heads, and it will remain there and they can teach others as well.

Green Works KC delivers significant results across a broad spectrum of areas important to me: environmental awareness in our urban youth community, job skills, indeed life skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. The long term benefits to both the students and our community cannot be overstated.

I personally know of no other KC area based non-profits as committed to their programs as Green Works. I would attribute this to the passion of the Founder of Green Works (Kate Corwin) whose inspired leadership and creative vision have changed the lives of many Kansas City students. Kate's continued active involvement allow Green Works to respond to issues which present challenges to funding and programming with an entrepreneur’s passion.

I have been volunteering for Green Works in Kansas City for several years now. I am always impressed by the student interaction and the knowledge the students gain from the cirriculum. They then pass the information they recieve onto the family and neighbors. I have been very encouraged by neighbor programs started by Green Works in Kansas City students.
They are very frugal with their money and resourceful about how they come up with items needed for the students. I work with several 501c3 organizations through my role on the Harley-Davdison Foundation and chose to work closely with Green Works in Kansas City becuase of the great impact they have to our local society. This could not be done without the hard work and determination of Kate Corwin. I would strongly recomend this organization for anybody that wants to make their charitable dollars stretch.

During the past six summers through a partnership with Green Works in Kansas City, I've worked with teen interns. These young adults care for our community and are making a difference as they learn about and then take action to improve our natural urban environment. Green Works is vital, working with the next generation, providing opportunities for students to gain a larger perspective of human impact within our city, then give back and make our neighborhoods the best place for all.

I have been associated with Green Works in Kansas City for the last 3 years as a Board Member and the last year as Board Chair. During this time, I have had the opportunity to interact with a fabulous program that educates our teen youth regarding important environmental matters. It is amazing to observe the growth in these children each year. Green Works in Kansas City is truly making a difference in these children's lives and providing an opportunity to add additional skillsets to their personal development.

Greensworks KC is working collaboratively with a suite of volunteers from the private sector, the business community, other not-for-profits, and government agencies to accomplish what few have attempted, much less succeeded in doing in the urban core.

Rusty Smith

During the 3 years I followed Greenwworks, I’ve witnessed 1st hand its effectiveness and growing momentum. Greenworks is clear about its mission, and its founder knows how to execute. I feel good about devoting my time and effort to support the organization because I see real and substantial results, year after year.

Greenworks is a strong and relevant organization for our community. Kate Corwin is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities and mentorships for students. This visionary program invests in youth in our community by introducing them to mentors, new ideas, and career opportunities related to the environment and sustainability. Through 2010, Greenworks interns worked at the Metropolitan Energy Center's Project Living Proof demonstration residence. With the guidance of engineers, landscape architects, and energy professionals, the students installed the initial phase of a Sustainable Sites Initiative pilot landscape. They were interested in the design and intentions of the project - and they brought fun and energy to the installation.

I have worked with Kate Corwin and Green Works for the past several years as a part of Kansas City's sustainability initiatives. I have spoken with the students about our sewer overflow control plan and they were very knowledgeable about the implications of waste water on our environment. I also went with the class to tour the waste treatment facility and was impressed by their questions and interest in the treatment processes. Green Works has done some incredible work along Brush Creek -- taking the stream bed back to its original vegetation and bed. These students have an impressive knowledge and enthusiasm for improving our community's environment. I applaud their efforts.

Our Region 7 EPA Urban Waters team has and will continue to collaborate with Green Works in Kansas City because we value their work in engaging urban youth in not only understanding their environment better, but in developing as people and professionals through informal and formal mentoring, and internship placement. The student's eagerness to learn and participate is inspiring, and the liklihood that regardless of the career they choose, they will be good stewards is encouraging. One important aspect of successful collaboration is the degree of organization, preparedness, and commitment on the part of our partners. We can always count on Green Works KC's director, Kate Corwin, to plan well, follow through, and be creative, responsive, and visionary.

I am the Volunteer Manager at Habitat for Humanity KC ReStore. We have hosted Green Works interns and they have done a great job. They have helped in the warehouse and learned some helpful job skills. Kate has done a great job in educating the students and preparing them to work in the enviornmental industries. We have also given tours to all of her classes of our 33,000 sf facility where we recycle over 20 differnet materials and where we have raised over 2 milloin dollars for Habitat for Humanity Kansas City and kept 20,000 tons from going into the landfills. Keep up the good work Green Works. Thanks, Hayley

I am highly impressed with the incredible experiential learning and achievement created through Green Works of Kansas City. I served as the formal evaluator of the program. This evaluation was a research study of participating Green Works students compared to their matched peers taking the same science course in their alternative high school in Kansas City, MO. While there were no statistically significant differences between the groups on the pre-test, the Green Works students made highly significant post-test gains, compared to the students in the control group, in science vocabulary and concepts based on Missouri State Standards. Examples of gains are listed below:

1. Acid rain: Droplets containing pollutants that are products of burning coal, other fuels and industry. 1% correct on post-test by control group; 70% correct on post-test by Green Works students completing the ECOS curriculum and hands-on experiences.

2. Ecosystem: Living things all interacting as a group and with the surroundings in which they live. .05 – less than 1% correct– control group students; 70% correct Green Works ECOS students.

3. Environment: The air, water, light and land and their conditions that affect the living things in their surroundings. .06 – less than 1% correct control group students; 60% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

4. Erosion: Eating away of a surface. .06 – less than 1% correct - control group students; 40% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

5. Humus: Decayed matter that provides nutrients for plants and makes soil able to retain water. .06 - less than 1% correct - control group students; 40% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

6. Hypoxia zone: An area of oxygen-depleted waters. .03 – less than 1% correct - control group students; 70% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

7. Natural resource: Materials from the earth like timber, fresh water, coal or oil that have economic value. 12% correct- control group students; 70% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

8. Organism: Individual forms of life and living things, such as plants, animals, bacteria, or fungus. 16% correct - control group students; 70% Green Works ECOS students.

9. Soil compaction: Land in which the air and water is squeezed out through pollution and development. .05 – less than 1% correct- control group students; 40% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

10. Watershed: The specific land area that drains water into a river system or other body of water. 12% correct - control group students; 70% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

11. Wetland: A lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp, filled with moisture and the natural habitat of wildlife. 8% correct - control group students; 50% correct - Green Works ECOS students.

12. Bio-retention area: Places with high water run-off that are built with sand, soil and native plants to reduce drainage .06 – less than 1% correct – control group students; 20% correct - Green Works ECOS students.