Over the past 27 years, nearly 15,000 young Pennsylvania citizens have served in the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps. Aged from 18-25, these individuals have gained valuable work skills, helped bolster their communities through a variety of conservation and disaster relief related projects, and gone on to become productive members of the workforce. Now, however, the program that served as a confidence builder and stepping stone for so many young people has been targeted for elimination.
In an effort to address a $10.4 billion state budget debt, Pennsylvania politicians have decided that eliminating funding for a program that has an approximate budget of $4.6 million dollars will be a step in the right direction (or, for those keeping track, making up for approximately 0.04% of the budget shortfall) . There are people like myself who hope that this does not happen because we think the benefits provided by the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps far outweighs its costs, especially for the 250+ people the program enrolls annually.
Levi Novey 
My name is Jessica and I worked for the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps before it was cut. I was among those who was working when the program was cut. I am one of those 18-25 year olds that has learned helpful skills and has had the opportunity to have schooling through the PCC. They have helped me get my Emergency Medical Technican, Emergency First Responder, OSHA, Masonry, CPR/AED, my driver’s license and so much more. I wished that the program did not end, because of this program I am a better person, better team player, and have the respect for any one, who I have to work with.