Winner of the Governor's Award for Environmental and Economic Leadership

The C.R.E.W. Ojai, California

TESTIMONIALS

The Governor of California made the following remarks upon the C.R.E.W.'s receipt of his 2004 Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. "Each of these recipients has shown a deep commitment to balancing environmental preservation and protection with the need to keep California's economy growing. I commend them for their efforts."

-Governor Arnold Scwarzenegger

"C.R.E.W. is a very compelling and inspiring program reaching out to at-risk kids and involving multiple levels of partnerships. Sixty percent of the kids stay two to three years, gaining valuable work skills and a stewardship ethic. The program gives kids a real job doing pertinent work!"

-California Environmental Protection Agency

"The C.R.E.W. is an oustanding organization of statewide merit that has made lasting and significant contributions to the citizens and environment of the County of Ventura and State of California."

-Board of Supervisors of Ventura County

"In three years of working trails, I have seen a lot of people come out and offer themselves to the elements, as I have done. There are many different reasons for doing this, but one thing remains constant: no matter what their beliefs, what their background, when they are doing C.R.E.W. work, the human element invariably surfaces. People who otherwise might not share the time of day with each other begins to greet each other with respect and even admiration. Under all of the sweat and dirt and pride that we accumulate in life, The C.R.E.W. brings forward the person in us. I come home with a sense of pride, with a sense of incredible self-realization. In a very real way, my work on the C.R.E.W. has changed my life."

-Spencer Campbell, past C.R.E.W. leader and student valedictorian

"At 15, my daughter was looking for direction in her life. Having made a couple of wrong turns, she decided that working with the C.R.E.W. would be just the thing for her. I was skeptical at first. She began spending weekends not at the mall as many of her peers did, but rather wearing work boots, gloves, hard-hat, grubby jeans, and working waist-deep in poison oak. Coming home, exhausted yet exhilirated, after a hard day clearing trails, she felt good about herself. Working at a job that traditionally would have been for boys only, added yet another dimension. Having been previously acknowledged for her physical beauty, she gained respect for having guts and being a team leader."

-Edie Janisse, Parent

"We would recommend the C.R.E.W. to any parent or child who has an interest in working outside and helping the environment."

-Tammy Baughman, Parent

"What impressed me the most a bout working with the C.R.E.W. is their ability to get the job done quickly and perform well on a variety of projects."

-Jim Engel, Executive Director, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

"I have worked many part time jobs while attending high school, but I have never ever had a more satisfying work environment. I love working outdoors and for the public. At the end of each day, I have the chance to see the improvements my crew has made. The youth of Ojai thanks you."

-Lauren Gandy, Ojai

"The C.R.E.W. provides excellent training and leadership opportunities for At Risk Ventura County youth while giving back to the community itself. The Ventura County Probation Agency is proud to partner with The C.R.E.W. in providing community service opportunities for youth to renovate hiking trails and park facilities for all County residents to enjoy."

-Cal Remington, Previous Director, Ventura County Probation Department

"During a spike-out, students hike up to three miles into the wilderness and camp for a week to work on a project. The C.R.E.W. provides uniforms, safety equipment, and other necessities for teens who are unable to purchase their own supplies. No job is too daunting for the C.R.E.W. members who perform grueling rock work with sledge hammers and cut brush by hand in wilderness areas. The 18 tp 21 year-old C.R.E.W. members operate chain saws. The C.R.E.W. is a unique organization equipping youths with leadership skills, job training and environmental education."

-The Stihl Company