YES! Crew Learn Job Skills

This summer, six remarkable young men from high schools across Kankakee County are spending their break not just learning, but actively leading the way in environmental stewardship through the dynamic and impactful YES! program under the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke Hopkins Park.

YES! Crew take a field trip to Van Drunen Farms, Momence, Illinois, to learn about manufacturing.

YES! Crew take a field trip to Todd & Holland Teas to learn tea processing to prepare to produce their own special blend of wildcrafted tea.

Van Drunen Farms manufacturing plant

The program began with essential training and certifications in CPR, food safety, and tool management—skills that lay the foundation for both personal development and professional responsibility. But what truly sets this initiative apart is the hands-on experience students gain through environmental fieldwork and community service.

Working alongside experienced mentors from respected environmental organizations—including the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, The Nature Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Friends of the Kankakee, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources—students are deeply engaged in restoring and preserving the local ecosystem. Their responsibilities include removing invasive plant species, collecting seeds, clearing debris, fixing trail signage, creating walking paths, and even monitoring endangered species.

In addition to this robust environmental work, the students are also exploring the world of sustainable business. Guided by board member Marc Haygood, who offers specialized training in native plant identification, they are learning about the natural benefits of local flora. This knowledge has inspired a green entrepreneurial project where the students are designing, creating, and preparing to market two eco-friendly products: a refreshing body mist and a calming tea—both made from native plants found in Pembroke.

The summer experience doesn’t stop with science and entrepreneurship. These dedicated students are also giving back to their community through a partnership with A More Excellent Way, a nonprofit organization that supports seniors in Pembroke Township by providing access to healthy food choices. Their efforts reflect the program’s holistic mission: to empower young people to serve their environment and their neighbors.

As the program draws to a close, the students will present their work at the annual Blueberry Festival on July 19th at Rehoboth Mennonite Church in Pembroke Township. This showcase is a celebration of their hard work, creativity, and commitment to making a difference.

With a summer full of learning, leadership, and service, these young men are proving that the next generation of environmental stewards is already hard at work—and their future is as bright as ever.

YES! Program Administrator, Christine Foster, planning the YES! Crews weekly schedule.

YES! Crew Team Leader, Aaron Woodard, manages the crew's daily work tasks.