The CHART Youth Summer Program

The Climate & Health Actionable Research And Translation (CHART) Center
Youth Summer Program

Environmental Community Action, Incorporated hosts a select group of youth at its headquarters for a six-week summer emersion into the wonders of climate, environment and health. These youths, between the ages of 14 and 19, also participate in the organization’s AWLN Youth Summer Program, which runs concurrently with the CHART program.

In June 2024 ECO-Action CHART Program Manager Adedamola Adebamiro under the guidance of ECO-Action Executive Director Carla Lewis recruited four distinguished scholars to participate in the Inaugural CHART Youth Summer Program. The participants were selected based upon their character, commitment and willingness to learn about environmental issues.

Weekly Sessions

The participants in the CHART Youth Summer Program engaged in various activities with CHART over the course of the six-week program, including In-session climate change and health discussions and knowledge quizzes, They explored environmental issues by playing climate change games and engaging in activities that illustrated how their day-to day-choices affect their carbon footprint and the world at large. They also took an online course offered by the UN – “Net Zero” – where they learned what the term Net Zero means, how important it is for our planet and how we can inch towards achieving it. The youth received certification in this course.

The Equity Lens Podcast

In July Environmental Champion and Founder of Jones Sustainable Solutions Group Cosco Jones stopped by the Environmental Community Action, Inc. Headquarters to chat with youths enrolled in the C.H.A.R.T. Summer Program for the reboot of ECO-Action’s podcast, The Equity Lens.In a discussion facilitated by Climate & Health Actionable Research Translation Center Program Manager Adedamola Adebamiro, Jones discussed energy burden, energy justice, climate change, and many other environmental issues impacting Georgia residents. Following the interview with Jones, C.H.A.R.T. participants recorded interviews with three Morehouse College students who served as summer interns at ECO-Action, Zahir K. Ni Amen, Conrad Ingram and Ikenna C. Nwoke. These interviews will also air as a special edition of The Equity Lens Podcast.

Final Presentations

As the 2024 CHART Youth Summer Program came to a close, Kysean, Jaylan, Imani’ Rose and Tayten were tasked with making presentations to various members of the CHART Team as well as ECO-Action’s staff and community leaders. Following their presentations, audience members posed questions about the scholar’s experiences and provided feedback. The session concluded with a lively interaction as Tayten shared his visions of a carless society and abolishing the military.

Youth Intern Recognition Program

The scholars from the CHART Youth Summer Program received special group recognition at the 2024 AWLN Summer Program Youth Recognition Ceremony. Three of the four scholars received individual recognition during the program, including Tayten being recognized as Most Outstanding AWLN Intern, India’ Rose being selected as Miss AWLN for 2024 and Jaylan being one of five youths being named Intern of The Year.