Community: Farnam Population: 227
Name of Project: Youth Recycling Program
Contact Person: Dan Widick
Day Phone: 308-569-2333
Email: dwidick@atcjet.net
Category: Leadership Development
Subcategory: Youth Involvement and Leadership
Annual/Ongoing: Yes
Date Project Began: May 2010
Date Completed: August 2010
Number of Volunteers: 5
Volunteer Hours: 15
Nominated for Special Awards: Yes
1. Give a brief description of the project.
About three years ago, the YCIP (Youth Community Improvement) group wrote a grant to get a trailer to recycle aluminum cans. They have used this trailer to collect cans and transport them to a recycling center. The money they collect is used to promote YCIP activities. One of the stipulations of the grant was to maintain an insurance policy on the trailer. A year ago, during the summer of 2009, a hail storm dented the trailer. It was still very usable but the insurance adjuster declared the trailer a total loss. The YCIP group had a choice to make. Either they could send the insurance money back to the organization that gave them the grant to begin with, or they could use the money to purchase other equipment for their recycling program. They chose to keep the money and buy a trailer that they could use to collect old iron and then sell it for recycling. They used about $1,500 of the insurance money to buy the trailer. They still have about $300 to use but they have not come up with a project for that money as of yet.2. Identify the planning and implementation of the project
a) Describe methods used to plan and implement the project
The Youth decided that it made more sense to use the money for their own recycling efforts than to send the money back, so they developed the idea of anothertrailer to recycle iron.
b) Describe how the project relates to the communities overall goals(including the goals identified by the community on its Intent to Enter form).
As the recycling program was a goal set by the YCIP group several years ago,this project fit right in with that idea. Though this opportunity arose quite unexpectedly, it will help the YCIP recycle material that might otherwise go to the landfill.
c) Describe how the project was identified as a priority for the community.
3. Describe volunteer involvement in planning and implementing theThe original project was proposed by the YCIP committee during their goal setting meeting. It was supported by the adults of the Farnam NCIP program and those at the annual goals setting meeting.
a) Describe how responsibilities were delegated among volunteers.
The youth run the program and collect the cans and decide how the money is to be spent. They decide at their meetings how this is to be organized. The adult sponsors are present to help with any logistical problems.
b) Describe how volunteers were recruited for the project.
4. Identify Project OutcomesThe youth recruit their own volunteers, taking turns with the various responsibilities.
a) What did the community intend to change as a result of the project.
The youth had a two-fold purpose for this project. Firstly, it would keep recyclable materials from going into the land fill and secondly, it would provide some income for them to carry out their ownprojects.
b) Describe community-wide support behind the project.
The support is excellent with individuals donating cans to theproject but alsothe local restaurant keeps all of their aluminum cans separate and gives them to the kids to recycle. The iron recycling has not gotten started yet as the trailer has not yet arrived for them to use.
c) Describe how the final project impacted the community, including measurable data. (Measurable data includes both qualitative and quantitative information).
5. Describe how resources were identified and used to successfully implement the project.The aluminum that has been recycled has been from 800 to 1000 pounds per year.The money collected has amounted to several hundred dollars per year, depending on the price of aluminum. Both the aluminum and iron aspects of this project will help keep recyclables from going to our land fill.
a) Monetary (grants, fund-raising, bonds, etc.)
The money for the project came from the Environment Trust Committee.
b) Materials and supplies (purchased and donated)
An old pig feeder was donated by the NCIP committee so the aluminum cans could be deposited by the public.
c) Labor (volunteer, in-kind, and paid services).
6. Future PlansThe labor involved is all supplied by the YCIP kids and theiradult sponsors.
a) How will the community build upon or follow-up with this project in the future?
It has been suggested that we could start recycling other items such as plastic, glass, newspaper, and cardboard in the future.
b) What has the community learned from this project that can be applied to future development efforts?
7. Please describe what aspects (if any) of the project were especially unique or creative?This project shows how the youth can accomplish a project once they set their mind to it. Also from the original project, we don’t always know what other opportunities might arise.
The most unique part of the project was the unexpected and unplanned insurance money that helped the recycling effort expand.
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