Inspiring Action

The KEC Good in the Hood program provides a variety of innovative educational methods so young people are inspired to make a commitment to have environmental action be a part of every day life. Young members focus their energy on neighborhood environmental issues and KEC leads them through hands-on experiences that teach necessary business and communication skills.

The KEC Parks in the Hood Transforming Brownfields* to Greenfields program was designed as a working classroom and curriculum model for environmental restoration. Kids learned how to redevelop misused properties in their own neighborhoods and learned the how-to's of urban revitalization. Young people partnered with environmental professionals, including engineers, scientists and landscape architects, transforming Brownfields into Greenfields.

Partnering with professionals from their community the kids were inspired to be environmental mentors and leaders. They learned entrepreneurial and computer skills in the process. Our first Park was part of an environmental initiative and gang prevention program. All 30 kids that participated stayed away from gang influences for the entire year and one student was accepted into the National Honor Society.

* Sites that are generally abandoned, idled, or underused properties where redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination." These brownfield sites provide a significant opportunity to improve the lives of area residents through environmental cleanup, creation of jobs, and educational initiatives.

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For further information about the KEC, ecology, and environmental actions you can take, please contact: