Expand<\/i><\/button><\/p>\r\n Fellowship launches each Fall in September and ends May of the following year. Fellows meet weekly as a full group and 1-1 with NVR Staff discussing environmental justice topics and youth projects. Fellows work 4 – 8 hours\/week.<\/p>\r\n
Where does the fellowship take place?<\/button> Expand<\/i><\/button><\/p>\r\n The ’24 – ’25 Fellowship opportunity is a hybrid<\/strong> program, with both in-person and virtual activities.<\/p>\r\nAre there program benefits for school-year fellowship?<\/button> Expand<\/i><\/button><\/p>\r\n Fellows receive an educational stipend and gain valuable work experience in an environmental justice area of their choosing.<\/p>\r\n
How do I apply?<\/button> Expand<\/i><\/button><\/p>\r\n Applications are not yet open for the 2024 School-Year Fellowship Program. Check back soon for more details!<\/p>\r\n
What You’ll Gain<\/h3>\r\n You’ll gain advanced skills and knowledge in environmental advocacy and leadership. Participants can expect opportunities to spearhead their own projects, collaborate with experienced mentors, and further develop their abilities as change-makers in the realm of environmental justice.<\/p>\r\n
\r\nEnvironmental Justice Education<\/strong>Participants will take a deep dive into an environmental justice topic of their choosing and create a project that centers on their chosen theme. Past participant projects have focused on the following themes: Water Justice, Food Justice, Social Media and Comms, Climate Resiliency, Clean Energy, East Oakland Air Quality, Contra Costa Air Quality, and Community Health.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\nLeadership Skills<\/strong>Participants will oversee a workshop or project from start to finish, honing their leadership skills in a more independent setting than the Summer Academy.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\nCommunity Connection<\/strong>Through projects that directly address environmental (in)justice in their neighborhoods, fellows strengthen their connection to community.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\nWork Experience – emphasize<\/strong>Youth participants with a local community group partner. Fellows guide a community capacity building or outreach project of their own choosing and work in collaboration with their community group partner.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFAQ For Parents<\/h2>\r\n Do you have to pay for the program?<\/p>\r\n
No, all New Voices programs are free and include stipends or paid work opportunities.<\/p>\r\n
Are there accommodations for transportation?<\/p>\r\n
Yes! For in-person trips and events, participants have the option of meeting us at the location directly or meeting staff at one of our meet-up spots. Meet-up spots will be Richmond BART station and West Oakland BART station. To acknowledge the time and energy spent on transportation to our in-person events, participants will receive a transportation stipend.<\/p>\r\n
Do we have to file the stipend for taxes?<\/p>\r\n
Stipends are considered income, and therefore taxable under the payroll code. Students will get their annual 1099-NEC form to use for tax purposes.<\/p>\r\n
Can youth from cities not listed above apply?<\/p>\r\n
Youth from neighboring cities can apply- for example, we can take youth from Pinole as well as Hercules, Crockett, and Rodeo. Other examples of neighboring cities are Pittsburg\/Antioch and Richmond\/San Pablo.<\/p>\r\n
Hear Youth Voices<\/h2>\r\n Here, you’ll find stories and insights from participants in our environmental justice youth program. These accounts provide a glimpse into the impact our program has on young individuals passionate about environmental change.<\/p>\r\n
\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Mykela Patton<\/h2>\n New Voices Are Rising alumna and current Program Director | Oakland<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\u201cI joined New Voices in 2016 as a summer academy participant. That was my intro to environmental justice and when I feel I found my calling to environmentalism. A lot of the conversation at that time was around greenhouse gasses, global warming, and climate change. As a summer academy student, New Voices took that information and showed me what environmental justice was, which as a low-income black woman from Oakland was much more relevant to my lived experiences and my community.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
About<\/button>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Andrea Pineda<\/h2>\n Alumna | Oakland<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\u201cNew Voices taught me that I was given a voice for a reason, and I am able to use that voice to speak up and act on any type of injustice. Now as the NVR Youth Coordinator, I get to teach other youth about the power of their voice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
About<\/button>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Qin<\/h2>\n Alumna | Oakland<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\u201cBeing in a leadership role as a Summer Academy POD Leader confirmed that I had the strength to lead others. I hope my students will use their newfound knowledge to work with and teach their communities about the issues impacting them and find solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
About<\/button>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Natalia<\/h2>\n Alumna | Oakland<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\u201cI helped conduct air quality focus groups with East Oakland\u2019s Lions Creek Crossing community. Residents shared that they were brought solutions in the past that did not meet the needs of the community. Through these focus groups, we addressed community needs based on what actual residents had to say.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
About<\/button>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Giovanni<\/h2>\n Alumna | Antioch<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\u201cI externed with mayor Monica Wilson of Antioch. I helped the local government and my community to find the best ways to reach Antioch residents most affected by air pollution. If not for NVR, I wouldn\u2019t have made the connections I have now and have my voice heard in City Council.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
About<\/button>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n\n \n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n The Community Summit<\/h2>\r\n To celebrate the hard work of our New Voices Youth, we host a Community Summit in mid-summer. The Summit is an opportunity for participants to present a personal project related to what they learned during the program. Topics range from air quality justice and redlining, to resilience hubs and food apartheid.<\/p>\r\n
New Voices 22′ – 23′ fellowship celebration.<\/p>\r\n
<\/nav>\r\n
Stay Connected<\/h2>\r\n Change is happening! Receive updates on grantee successes, upcoming grants, and opportunities to make a difference. Join our community and be a vital part of the environmental justice movement.<\/p>\r\n
![\"new-voices-hero-1\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/new-voices-hero-1.jpg\" "\\"new-voices-hero-1\\"")
![\"patch1\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/patch1-1.svg\" "\\"patch1\\"")
<\/p>\r\n![\"patch2\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/patch2.svg\" "\\"patch2\\"")
![\"new-voices-hero-2\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/new-voices-hero-2.jpg\" "\\"new-voices-hero-2\\"")
JUMP TO <\/a> About <\/a> Entry Level Academy <\/a> Advanced Level Fellowship <\/a> Parents FAQ <\/a> Youth Stories <\/a> Summit <\/a> ![\"youth-voices-about\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/youth-voices-about.jpg\" "\\"youth-voices-about\\"")
<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Icon-eligibility.svg\"){kind=icon}