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the recycling stations throughout the festival, teaching children what to recycle and compost. <br />They were able to empower other youth in our community to be environmentally conscious and <br />learned important hands-on leadership skills. <br />Through OCCC projects, Corpsmembers have a large community impact. Recently, through the <br />Adopt -a -Channel project in association with Disneyland Resort, they have met important <br />community leaders and contributed to removing over 5,000 pounds of debris and abatement of <br />over 15,000 square feet of graffiti. Through the Sheriffs Department, Corpsmembers take <br />pictures of the graffiti before its removal to help the Sheriff's Department record graffiti marks. <br />This highly important project is environmentally beneficial in protecting our ocean and keeping <br />our beaches clean. The OCCC will also be supporting Santa Ana River Conservancy, which will <br />involve the restoration of the Santa Ana River, providing needed recreational opportunities, <br />water quality protection, and land restoration to the Santa Ana community. <br />The OCCC also has a partnership with local social enterprise Monkey Business Cafe as well as the <br />Fullerton Arboretum in their "Farm to Table" program. Corpsmembers obtain externships <br />through this partnership, in which they alternate growing produce on the arboretum's farm and <br />cooking the harvest in the kitchen of the Monkey Business Cafe. This enriches the community <br />and brings a stronger connection to the Earth for Corpsmembers and cafe patrons alike. <br />Every year, three or four Corpsmembers, the CEO, and the Program Manager go to Sacramento <br />for the California Association of Local Conservation Corps (CALCC) and California Conservation <br />Crops, Government Education Day. They meet with senators and assembly members, tour the <br />Capitol, participated in educational activities like develop a mock state budget, and learned about <br />California's government. They have the opportunity to engage with Corpsmembers from other <br />conservation corps around the state and observed our state government at work. <br />OCCC has for the last three elections served as a polling place at our Charter School site and <br />utilized Corpsmembers as volunteers which provided experience and education concerning the <br />voting process. OCCC also offers assistance to participants in enrollment in selective service and <br />voter registration. Often times our participants are called for jury duty but have no idea of what <br />to do, we assist them in the process. <br />OCCC has a strong commitment to civic service. "Serve" is a foundation concept in OCCC's <br />mission. Participants' time at the OCCC is largely spent serving their communities. OCCC projects <br />and on-the-job training opportunities cover Orange County: aiding recycling efforts, restoring its <br />native habitats, protecting water supplies, and working on fee for service projects throughout <br />the county. Corpsmembers and students leave the OCCC program with an understanding of our <br />natural resources and why we must preserve them. <br />B. Indicate the number of youth that will participate in the civic engagement or leadership <br />development opportunity. <br />These opportunities will be open to all OCCC students and Corpsmembers. In addition, the OCCC <br />will collaborate with other Santa Ana Youth Service Provider Network organizations to engage <br />additional youth. <br />EXHIBIT A <br />