Hill Central C-SAP

by Gamaliel Moses, Public Ally Intern

During the spring season of Solar Youth’s Steward Team after school program, the students decided to plant flowers and clean up an area behind their school as a Community Service Action Project (CSAP). They were indeed excited to see that the tulip bulbs that they planted during the fall were now growing into plants. They wanted to beautify the area even more through their spring project. As a team we developed an action plan through which we delegated tasks and organized the flow of the day. We then sang the C-SAP song to the sound of drums and percussion. Yes, it was C-SAP time again, a time to have fun and to also do something helpful for the environment and community.

On C-SAP day it was a bit rainy, but we were fully prepared with our ponchos. First we did a clean up of the area by picking up litter and leaves. We dug up the soil and added compost, organic manure and more soil. We then added a little water for moisture. After an explanation and demonstration on how to plant the flowers, the students jumped right in and began planting. Team work was in full effect, it was happening, students working “side by side” singing repeat-after-me songs and working towards a common goal.

The flowers were all transplanted into a full bed and it was now time to water the plants. We did not have a watering hose but had a bucket and a watering can. The team turned this task into team effort by creating a water line, where the bucket was passed from one person to the next until it reached the bed of flowers. The project was now done and the students were very proud of what they had accomplished. They had now cleaned up the area, maintained flowers they planted last year and planted a new bed of flowers. It was indeed a beautiful site.

The students can now look down from their classes and see the difference that they made through doing their Community Service Action Project.

Astronomical Society of New Haven

Photo Courtesy of Daily Astronomy Picture featured on February 10, 2006

For more information about the Astronomical Society of New Haven, click here.

Westville Manor Food Pantry

Our new Westville Manor Food Pantry has finally started! Our first day went great. We helped to feed over 170 people. We gave out basically all of the food with the exception of some of the onions and carrots. All in all, it went great. We only had a problem with people trying to come back twice and with people taking to much of certain items. I think it went great because we fed a lot of people they were all happy that something like this was finally happening in the community. They said that they couldnt wait until the next month!

Eddie's Garden

Joanne Sciulli and Kim Barnes with Westville Manor youth at "Eddie's Garden"

March 22, 2006 was a day off for public school in New Haven, CT, but in Westville Manor, Solar Youth had fantastic plans to engage youth in a community beautification project. With a little help from Patricia Bender, who donated Japanese irises, day lilies and lamb's ear to the project, and a little knowledge from Solar Youth's resident farmer and Student Conservation Association intern, Kim Barnes, youth helped plant flowers in their neighborhood. Afterward, several of the youth joined Brandon Ballengee in a hike to the West Rock Nature Center.

Youth were eager to participate. The event was not set to begin until 1pm, but youth knocked on the door of the Solar Youth office all morning, the youngers ones asking, "Is it one o'clock yet?" Everyone in the office took turns telling the youth to wait just a couple more hours, another hour, another half an hour, just another ten minutes...until one o'clock arrives and we opened the door to a group of energetic and enthusiastic youth.


Kim Barnes and a Westville manor youth splitting day lilies in preparation for planting

The youth were split into two groups: the planters and the painters. The planters first had to split the day lilies from their bunches, find ideal planting locations, clear the ground and finally, plant. The painters were responsible for creating signs that would make others aware of the planting project, and hopefully prevent the vandalism of the flowerbeds, as well as encourage others to water and care for the flowers.

In the winter, a neighborhood youth was shot and killed. A memorial appeared on the corner of Wayfarer and Level Streets. In an effort to create a more permanent place of remembrance for Eddie, the youth scoping out locations for flowerbeds suggested they plant a garden on that corner. The planters set to work, and a youth from the painter group, Khalil, said, "I want to make the sign. Eddie was my friend."


Elvin Santiago holding up a flower in transit to Eddie's Garden

At the end of the day, Eddie's Garden was planted, the pieces of the former memorial incorporated into the bed, decorating around it. Other flowerbeds were planted and plenty of signs were painted to remind others to mind the plants.

And now no one will ever forget Eddie, every time the flowers bloom.

NEGEF Conference, Boston

Cheryl King Fischer (Executive Director of NEGEF), Shakila, Mary Ann, Javaughn, Joanne with award

Road Trip! YAG members Shakila McKnight, Mary Ann Calo and Javaughn "JJ" Harris, packed up their things into Miss Joanne's car and the four of them set out for Boston on March 17, 2006. They were hosted by a personal friend of Joanne's when they arrived after dark outside of Boston.

Bright and early the next morning, the group of four headed out to the New England Grassroots Environment Fund conference, together with the Toxics Action Center, Environmental Action 2006. JJ and Shakila went to a workshop entitled, "Live Consciously, Buy Wisely and Join with Others to Make a Difference," while Joanne and Mary Ann attended another workshop about environmental action.

At 11:45am, the group convened to present for a workshop about "Up and Coming Activists: Young People Making a Difference." The YAG members discussed the CSAP (Community Service Action Project) process and some CSAP's that have been conducted by Solar Youth participants in the past. Did you know that Solar Youth participants have completed 105 CSAPs since 1999?

After another workshop session, the group joined the rest of the attendees for the day's wrap up. At the reception, NEGEF and the TAC presented awards to various groups for their work in the field of environmental activism. Joanne, JJ, Mary Ann and Shakila were surprised when Cheryl King Fischer (Executive Director of NEGEF) was talking about an organization that sounded an awful lot like Solar Youth. Yes, it's true! Solar Youth received an Outstanding Activism Award "for engaging youth as leaders and environmental stewards in their community."

"We won a Grammy," JJ joked. Everyone was very proud of the recognition Solar Youth received for all the hard work the staff, interns and youth do, all year round.

And the road trip? Ended with the four tired travelers winding their way down the I-84, then I-91, to arrive in New Haven, safe and sound.

Reunion Hike: Sleeping Giant State Park

On March 11, 2006, a bright and slightly breezy spring day, Solar Youth Steward Team participants and alumni, plus Solar Youth alumni from the 2005 Citywide Steward Summer Program and 2005 Hands-on Outdoor Learning Adventure (HOLA), came together for a trip to Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, CT.

After lunch, the group started out, led by Joanne, the Executive Director and one of the founders of the organization. The easily sloping trail gave way to a steep rocky climb that some youth were sure they couldn't complete--but they were wrong! Every youth made it to the very top, where the castle stood. Feelings of pride and enthusiasm flowed through the group.


Rushing to the top floor of the castle, youth looked out at a spectacular view of New Haven County and the Long Island Sound. After some rest, the youth split into two groups--the Rigorous Hike and the Take It Slow Hike. The two groups departed and wandered down. The Rigorous Hike group took a trail covered in rocks, requiring dexterity and preserverance. The Take It Slow Hike stayed on a winding wide road to the bottom of the mountain.

Once at the bottom, the youth loaded up on the bus, heading home. Many of the youth said they had fun and were proud of themselves for making it to the top. Way to go!