Please join us in welcoming Chicago's Eco-Ambassadors for this summer!
Participants in our Eco-Ambassadors program spend the summer developing awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the world around us. The program will take place in Chicago and the North & West Suburbs this year.
Lead by Cesar Almeida and Barbara Boockmeier, the Chicago cohort will explore all four of our program areas: Energy & Climate, Sustainable Food & Land Use, Water Preservation, and Advocacy.
Through field trips and activities, the Eco-Ambassadors learn about career opportunities and how to be leaders in raising environmental awareness at their houses of worship and in their communities.
Returning youth who show great leadership potential have the opportunity to take on extra responsibilities as Earth Allies. We have three Earth Allies this summer, each of whom will write a blog to reflect on their experiences. Stay tuned!
For now, get to know the cohort by reading their bios below. You can even meet them in person at the 2019 Rehoboth Blueberry Festival on July 20th!
Troy Dotson, Youth Facilitator
House of Worship: Haven of Rest Baptist Church Hobbies: Music, Drawing Favorite Way to Spend Weekend: Creating Music What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? The wellbeing of my environment. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? Guiding the next generation of Earth Allies.
Keanu Dean, Earth Ally
House of Worship: LightHouse Hobbies: Basketball Favorite Way to Spend Weekend: Being outside or at home doing an activity like video games or basketball. What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? To be independent in terms of having my own resources. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-
Ambassador? The fun trips and experiences.
Kahlil Smith, Earth Ally
House of Worship: Haven of Rest Baptist Church Hobbies: Basketball, Lacrosse, Reading, Skating Favorite Way to Spend Weekend: Playing basketball and hanging out with my friends. What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? Knowing how many things affect our living space and how we can help our environment succeed.
What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning from them.
Kimberly Wilborn, Earth Ally
House of Worship: New Life Covenant Church Southeast Hobbies: Biking, Video Games Favorite Way to Spend Weekend:
I love to bike, hang out with friends, play video games, and take walks. What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? The idea that I will have children and grandchildren who will walk this planet. I want to do my best to treat it well for them and for myself.
What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I am looking forward to the field trips that will take place and learning from others.
Tiara Bullock, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: New Deliverance Church Favorite Summer Activity: Softball, Volleyball, Writing Favorite Vegetable: Carrot Favorite Fruit: Mango What inspires you? When people with disabilities overcome challenges and break expectations. Favorite Way to Spend Weekend: Walk around a city, festival or going to the movies with friends & family What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? The recent shift in weather with the growing population and ocean pollution increasing What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I am looking forward to acquiring better recycling habits.
Alicia Brumfield, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: Homewood Flossmoor Hobbies: Skating, Painting, thrifting Favorite Way to Spend Weekend:
I like to go skateboarding and paint What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? I love nature and the Earth so much that I want to do the best I can to help it. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I want to give out new info and receive new info.
Adin Farmer, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: Covenant United Church of Christ Hobbies: Lacrosse, Listen to Music, Video Games Favorite Summer Activity: Playing Lacrosse Favorite Vegetable: Carrots or Squash Favorite Fruit: Tomatoes What Inspires You? My Parents inspire me to better myself! Favorite Way to Spend Weekend: I enjoy playing Lacrosse and video games What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? My parents and grandparents have inspired me to be environmentally sustainable. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I am looking forward to learn new things and new ways to be environmentally friendly and sustainable every day.
De’Shaun Issac, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: Christian Life Center Hobbies: Basketball and Band Favorite Way to Spend Weekend:
Play basketball with my friends What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? My grandparents would have to be my biggest environmental inspiration. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador?
Learning more and taking back knowledge to my home community.
Kevin Jernigan, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church Hobbies: Video Games, Going for walks Favorite Summer Activity: Summer Camp Favorite Vegetable: Broccoli Favorite Fruit: Apples What inspires you?
All the problems in the world today inspire me to be a better person and step up to protect everything. Favorite Way to Spend Weekend? I like to spend my weekends with my father. We usually go to new places or we also have fun with my grandmother. What inspires you to be environmentally sustainable? By looking at the world today with all it’s problems, I believe that we should take care of the earth. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I look forward to being able to learn new things and learn different ways I can solve environmental problems.
Henry Nwankwo, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: St. Katharine Drexel Parish Hobbies: Drawing, Video Games, Sleeping Favorite Summer Activity: Going to the beach Favorite Vegetable: Tomatoes Favorite Fruit: Plum What inspires you? Knowing that people believe in me and it motivates me to make them proud. Favorite Way To Spend Weekend: Sleep until 1 p.m, then use the rest of the time in the day to draw, play video games, and exercise. It depends on how I feel. What inspires you to be environmentally sustainable? Knowing that at the rate the world is going, it is disastrous to the environment. It is at least my duty to do everything that I can in order to improve the quality. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? Having fun. I am looking forward to creating new bonds and experiences as well as earning $$$. The opportunities presented by Faith in Place are so much and I look forward to creating new bonds.
Morgan O’Neal, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: Covenant United Church of Christ Hobbies: Sports, Art, Cooking Favorite Summer Activity: Bike Riding Favorite Vegetable: Broccoli Favorite Fruit: Strawberries & Grapes What Inspires you? A lot of things. I go with the moment. Favorite Way to Spend Weekend: Playing with my siblings What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? The thought of animals thinking they found a treat (food) and it ends up hurting them. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? Meeting new people and trying new things.
Indigo Shephard, Eco-Ambassador
Hobbies: Singing, Dancing, Writing, Sleeping Favorite Summer Activity: Writing Favorite Vegetable: Cucumber Favorite Fruit: Peach What inspires you? My mom, little sister, and family inspires me. Favorite Way to Spend Weekend:
I like to spend it indoors or going shopping What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable? My family and animals inspire me to be environmentally sustainable. What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador? I’m looking forward to possibly teach and learn more stuff about the environment.
Erin Turner, Eco-Ambassador
House of Worship: Family Christian Center Hobbies: Lacrosse Favorite Summer Activity: Swimming Favorite Vegetable: Corn Favorite Fruit: Watermelon What inspires you? Family Favorite Way to Spend Weekend:
Hanging out with friends What Inspires You to be Environmentally Sustainable?
The growing pollution problem along with water supply contamination What are you looking forward to about being an Eco-Ambassador?
Learning more about the environment