Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) encourages, prepares, and challenges young people from diverse backgrounds to be advocates for environmental and social change. I-YEL is initiated, designed, and coordinated by youth, who receive support and training in planning and implementing projects that create positive change in their communities. Through leadership development, career exploration, and goal setting, I-YEL participants acquire the skills necessary to be the teachers and leaders of today and the future.

Structure
I-YEL Interns make a minimum commitment of one year (October to August). They meet every Wednesday after school and three full Saturdays per month. Participants also have the opportunity to participate in many optional activities such as teaching drop-in programs at the Center, outreaching in communities, attending conferences, or creating their own community service project.

I-YEL Interns earn a starting hourly stipend of $7.50 based on dedication and participation in the program. During the year, participants have the opportunity to increase their responsibilities and stipend amount.

Activities
YEL Projects – With the support of Center staff, the I-YEL team plans and implements at least two major projects each year that make positive environmental and social change in the community.

I-YEL Projects – More experienced I-YEL Interns plan and implement their own community service project with the support of staff. In these projects, Interns create change that positively affects their own neighborhoods or schools. Interns coordinate all aspects of the project planning process.

Special Events and Field Trips – I-YEL Interns participate in field trips that encourage team building, help them build a strong connection with their environment, and teach them about other resources in the community. Field trips may include camping in Yosemite National Park and exploring wetlands in the Bay Area.

Community Service Projects – Each month, participants take part in a service project that benefits the community of San Francisco. In Fall and Winter, participants familiarize themselves with the National Park by conducting service projects on park lands. In Spring and Summer, participants select and plan service projects in the community.

Environmental Leadership Trainings – In these trainings, I-YEL Interns develop the skills necessary to be environmental leaders in the community. Sessions on Environmental Perspectives, Your Impact on the Environment, Public Speaking, Group Decision-Making, Meeting Facilitation, Diversity Skills, and Working with the Public help Interns to develop the skills they need in order to make informed decisions and become advocates for positive change. Many of the trainings directly relate to the focus of the YEL projects.

Future Planning Workshops – Participants receive assistance in setting goals, creating action plans, and preparing for college and future careers. Some of the activities include career assessments, résumé workshops, college visits, and participation in career fairs.

Current I-YEL Participants
I-YEL believes that a diverse pool of youth, offering different perspectives and opinions, can work together to create social and environmental change effectively.

While all differ in personalities, interests, and opinions, all are enthusiastic, creative, and passionate about improving their environments.

The 2007 - 2008 Interns
meet them

Education Team
Janet Zheng - Junior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Christopher Norman - Junior, Capuchino High School
Kary Kwong-Lee – Sophomore, Lincoln High School
Vina Giang – Junior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Tiffany Shrawder – Senior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Norma Perez-Chun – Junior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Carolina Palacio – Junior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Corrie Fong – Junior, Balboa High School
Jacky Lu – Freshman, Lowell High School
Johnny Li – Sophomore, Lowell High School
Allen Chen (UTB 07) – Freshman, Washington High School
Wilfred Szeto – Junior, Thurgood Marshall High School

Outreach Team
Linda Loi - Junior, Galileo High School
Anjie Diaz - Junior, Leadership High School
Max Chao - Freshman, Lowell High School
Beatriz Rivera – Freshman, Lincoln High Scool
Wendy Chou – Senior, Galileo High School
Shirley Hoang – Junior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Minxi Cai – Junior, Balboa High School
Sally Chen – Freshman, Lincoln High School
Allen Chen (UTB 05) – Junior, Lowell High School
Sean Gunn – Freshman, City Arts and Tech High School
Nkosi Umoja – Fresman, City Arts and Tech High School

I-YEL Alumni
meet them

2001 - 2002
The 2001-2002 I-YEL team was made up of nine high school students ranging from 15 to 18 years old. They attended five high schools and lived in six neighborhoods in San Francisco. Participants represented eight ethnicities and over half were first-generation Americans.

Alejandrina Sandoval – Senior, Galileo High School
Michael Sun – Senior, Lincoln High School
Helen Tran – Senior, Galileo High School
Sam Tran – Senior, Galileo High School

2002 - 2003
The 2002-2003 I-YEL team was made up of eleven high school students ranging from 14 to 18 years old. They attended seven high schools and lived in five neighborhoods in San Francisco. Participants represented eight ethnicities and over half were first-generation Americans.

Jessica Chen – Senior, Lowell High School
Jie Chen – Senior, Phillip Burton High School
Nick Lapis – Senior, Lincoln High School
Avy Mallik – Senior, Lincoln High School
Dalia Mesfun – Junior, Galileo High School
Sidon Solomon – Sophomore, Phillip Burton High School
Jennifer Walser – Senior, Lincoln High School

2003 - 2004
The 2003-2004 I-YEL team was made up of thirteen high school students ranging from 13 to 17 years old. They attended nine high schools and lived in eleven neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Rita Alcantara - Freshman, XCEL Academy
Yvea Eaton – Senior, Lick-Wilmerding High School
Anthony Miller – Junior, George Washington High School
Cady Shadwick - Senior, Phillip Burton High School

2004 - 2005
The 2004-2005 I-YEL team was made up of fourteen high school students ranging in ages 13 to 18 years old. They attended eight different high schools and lived in eleven neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Stephanie Lee - Senior, Gateway Academy
David Chang - Senior, Lincoln High School

2005 - 2006
the 2005-2006 I-YEL team consist of all returning interns. two of our interns are entering their fourth year in I-YEL, four interns are entering their third, and seven interns are returing for their second year in the program.

Simon Wong - Senior, Lincoln High School
Vivian Twu - Senior, Leadership High School
Dunenka Saleh - Junior, XCEL Academy
Cristhian Miranda - Senior, Galileo High School
Huu Chau - Senior, Mission High School
Guilder Ramirez - Junior, Leadership High School
Dionne Spencer - Senior, Mission High School
Roman Podgurski - Junior, XCEL Academy
Rita Alcantara - Junior, Rodriguez High School

2006 - 2007
The 2006 - 2007 I-YEL team was made up of seven high school students ranging in ages 15 to 18 years old. They attended six different high schools and lived in 4 different neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Nessa Blanche Ramos - Senior, Mission High School
Danny Wong - Senior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Carmen Lu - Senior, Thurgood Marshall High School
Maura Blake - Senior, Phillip Burton High School

To become an I-YEL Intern for 2008-2009
We currently have our 2007-2008 I-YEL team.. Applications for 2008-2009 I-YEL interns are available in august and are due mid-September . Those interested in becoming I-YEL Interns must currently be enrolled in a high school in San Francisco. Candidates fill out an application, submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or adult leader, and hold an interview with a current I-YEL Intern and the Advisor or Coordinator.

For more information about I-YEL
Contact Ernesto Pepito, I-YEL Coordinator, at (415) 561-7767, or contact Michele Gee, I-YEL Advisor, at (415) 561-7751.

“It’s no easy or small task to take initiative and action. If we are educated and we work together, then we can make a difference”.
-Yvea Eaton, I-YEL participant

For more information or questions, contact Ernesto Pepito at (415) 561-7767 or EPepito@ParksConservancy.org or contact I-YEL at yelproject@yahoo.com

The Crissy Field Center is a partnership between the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service.

The Crissy Field Center is located in Building 603 on the corner of Mason and Halleck Streets in the Presidio of San Francisco. This historic site was built in 1939 and first used as an Army commissary, later as a film and photo lab.

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