The Eugene-based Northwest Youth Corps will operate a forest work program for Linn County youth again this summer.

The Linn County Board of Commissioners has approved almost $150,000 in funding to pay for up to 60 young people to take part in the program.

The summer work program is voluntary and is not related to the community service work program operated by the Juvenile Department for young offenders. The goal is to provide a healthy environment and work experience for young people who may come from difficult backgrounds, or have experienced some problems in school or with substance abuse. Other participants may simply be looking for the opportunity to make some money working outdoors all summer.

Linn provided funding for up to 60 youth last year. Forty-four young people joined the program and 31 completed it. The recruiting effort was hampered by the fact that approval for the program came in the late spring and there wasn't much time to publicize and explain the program to parents and youth.

Commissioner Roger Nyquist is hopeful that with funding in place earlier this year, more families will take advantage of this opportunity.

'This is just a great program for the youth that are in it,' Nyquist said.

Ethan Nelson, the program director for the Northwest Youth Corps, said crews this summer will work on North

Zone Trail maintenance, help out in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area, and improve disabled access at Daly Lake.

Linn County is not using any general fund money to support the youth work program. Every year, Linn receives payments as compensation for the large amount of land owned by the federal government in the county.

By law, most of this money is set aside for roads and schools, but a portion is allocated for forest-related projects. The county is using a portion of this money to fund the Northwest Youth Corps program and other educational activities.

NORTHWEST YOUTH CORPS

WHAT: Linn County renews its youth summer work program, operated by the Northwest Youth Corps.

COST: The county covers almost all program costs for the participants.

PROGRAM: Crew members do trail work, and recreation site maintenance and improvements. On weekends, they enjoy hiking and sightseeing opportunities.

TO APPLY: Call the Northwest Youth Corps at (541) 349-5058.

ON THE WEB: www.northwestyouthcorps.org.

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