Erie Corps ready to roll

Erie Corps is designed to supply 18- to 22-year-old residents of who live below 200% of federal poverty level opportunity for paid vocational training leading to career in environmental/conservation efforts

√ Erie 1 BOCES trains first corps class as Erie County Parks and Social Services departments partner with Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Investment Board in innovative initiative

Submitted by the Press Secretary to the County Executive

The Erie County Departments of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and Social Services, in partnership with the Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and Erie 1 BOCES, today joined Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz in welcoming the first 10 graduates of the new Erie Corps initiative at the Edward A. Rath county office building.

Provided with training by Erie 1 BOCES, several members of this inaugural class of corps members will now begin paid internships with the Parks Department, working on various projects including implementing the parks master plan, potentially leading to a career in environmental and conservation work. Others will be placed in similar roles at community organizations such as the Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

“Erie Corps is an investment in our youth, providing vocational training and real-life work experiences that put them on the path to a good career while also strengthening the sustainability of our parks,” Poloncarz said. “Through Erie Corps, we are helping young residents to succeed and be a part of shaping the Erie County of the future, protecting our legacy and building a stronger community. This could not happen without strong partnerships, and I thank all who have joined in this effort.”

Joining Poloncarz to greet the graduates were Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Troy P. Schinzel, Department of Social Services Employer Relations Coordinator Amy Dvorak, Executive Director of the Buffalo & Erie County WIB Dr. Jacqueline Hall, and Erie 1 BOCES Director of Educational Partnerships and Workforce Development Christa McHale. 

Schinzel said, “We look forward to having these new Erie Corps members join us and experience what working for the Parks Department entails. It’s an exciting time for them as well as us, and we are ready to get started.”

Proposed by Poloncarz in his 2024 State of the County address, Erie Corps is a project similar in spirit to the Civilian Conservation Corps created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his New Deal. It will create seasonal jobs for 18- to 22-year-old county residents living at less than 200% of the federal poverty level. These positions are an opportunity for individuals who complete Social Services’ summer youth employment, with training costs covered by the WIB.

For more information on the Department of parks, recreation and forestry, visit https://www3.erie.gov/parks/; on the Department of Social Services, visit https://www3.erie.gov/socialservices/; on the Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Investment Board, visit https://www.workforcebuffalo.org/; or on Erie 1BOCES, visit https://www.e1b.org/en/index.aspx.