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Student Conservation Association's Chicago Program Wins $25,000 Grant from Archer Daniels Midland Company
[January 27, 2015]

Student Conservation Association's Chicago Program Wins $25,000 Grant from Archer Daniels Midland Company


The Student Conservation Association has received a $25,000 grant from ADM Cares, the social investment program of Archer Daniels Midland Company. The funding will support SCA's engagement of under-served Chicago teenagers in hands-on conservation and career training.

Since 2010, SCA - the national leader in youth service and stewardship - has employed hundreds of local high school students in the Chicago area in making hands-on improvements to city parks, an experience that yields long-term benefits for both the environment and the individual.

"As SCA members care for Chicago's pocket parks, community gardens and other natural neighborhood resources, they become empowered," says SCA Regional Vice President Rafael Rosa. "With the self-confidence, job experience and leadership skills they acquire, these teens will give back throughout their lives as accomplished professionals, stewards and citizens.

"SCA is grateful to ADM Cares for expnding opportunities for under-represented youth across Chicago."



ADM Cares directs funds to initiatives and organizations that drive meaningful social, economic and environmental progress worldwide. The program comprises three distinct focus areas: supporting the responsible development of agriculture, improving the quality of life in ADM communities and fostering employee giving and volunteer activities.

SCA's urban conservation initiatives have been cited by the US Conference of Mayors as one of America's top green jobs programs for youth. SCA also provides volunteer and intern opportunities in hundreds of national parks, forests and refuges across the US.


SCA Chicago members will work in supervised teams restoring city parks lands, constructing hiking trails and generating other improvements to sites including Dan Ryan Woods, the Forest Preserve of Cook County, Little Village Area, and River Trail Nature Center. Members also receive environmental education throughout the year.

About SCA

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is America's oldest and largest youth conservation organization. SCA transforms lives and lands by empowering young people of all backgrounds to plan, act, and lead, while they protect and restore our natural and cultural resources. Founded in 1957, its mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders, and seven in 10 of SCA's 75,000 alumni worldwide are employed or studying in conservation-related fields. For more, visit www.thesca.org.


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