Siskiyou Crew Leader Named National Corpsmember of the Year
Harley Tijerina of the California Conservation Corps will be recognized by The Corps Network, the national association of Service and Conservation Corps, as a 2020 Corpsmember of the Year.
The Corps Network presents the Corpsmember of the Year Award on an annual basis to six young adults chosen from among the 25,000+ individuals who serve in member organizations of The Corps Network every year. The Corpsmembers of the Year are young people who, through their term of service in a Corps, have demonstrated personal growth, outstanding leadership skills, and a sincere commitment to helping their community. All winners of the Corpsmember of the Year Award are nominated by their Corps.
Harley joined the CCC in October 2017 and is currently a crew leader at the CCC Siskiyou Center, where she helps lead fellow Corpsmembers during fuel reduction, fire recovery, and salmon restoration projects. She joined the CCC to gain fieldwork experience, take a break from college, and work toward finding a job in the conservation field.
Harley first worked at the CCC Pomona Center, but always dreamed of leaving the city and moving to Northern California. After six months at the CCC Yosemite Tent Camp, she moved to Yreka where she has completed more than 100 hours of volunteering with the U.S. Forest Service, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and the Yreka community garden.
“What I enjoy most is just giving back to the community,” Harley said. “It’s not about how much time I’m putting on the books, it’s the change that I’m making and the help that I’m giving to my community. And how grateful everyone is for that help, that’s what really hits me hard.”
Harley Tijerina Photo
Harley Tijerina is one of six winners of The Corps Networks’ Corpsmember of the Year for 2020.
Harley with Chainsaw
Harley Tijerina poses with her chainsaw and a tree she is felling during Yosemite Tent Camp in 2018 in the Stanislaus National Forest.
Harley with Green Hat
Harley Tijerina poses with a fellow Corpsmember in from of a scenic lake in Northern California.
Harley with Blue hat
During her time at the CCC Pomona Center, Harley Tijerina posed with a fellow Corpsmember in front of a scenic location.
Tijerina Remote Trail
Harley Tijerina poses along a trail in rural Northern California.
Harley and Scott 16×9
Siskiyou Center crew leader Harley Tijerina poses with Shasta Cascade Center District Director Scott Wolsey at a project site in Northern California.
Harley says the CCC helped her overcome depression and severe anxiety. The experience has taught her professionalism, discipline, and adaptability. Once afraid of power tools, she takes pride in her ability to flawlessly complete a face cut when felling a tree with a chainsaw.
“All the ups and downs I’ve been through, it was all worth it,” she said. “I’m still wrapping my head around the award. I can’t believe I’m going to Washington, D.C. and people are going to hear my story. I’m very humbled by it.”
“We are extremely proud of Harley, not just for this recognition but for all the work she has done for her community in Yreka and in the CCC,” said CCC Director Bruce Saito. “Harley is an outstanding example of what Corpsmembers get from our program; character, credentials and commitment. Her story is a powerful reminder that if we give young people opportunities, they’ll work hard to take advantage of them and succeed.”
The California Conservation Corps is one of more than 130 member organizations of The Corps Network. As defined by The Corps Network, Corps are local, state or national programs that engage young adults and veterans in service activities addressing conservation and community needs. Through a term of service that could last from a few months to a year, Corps participants – or “Corpsmembers” – complete meaningful projects while gaining job experience and developing in-demand skills.
“The Corpsmembers of the Year are role models. These are young people who have exceeded expectations and earnestly invested their time and energy in service and civic engagement. Their personal stories and accomplishments are an inspiration to other young people serving in Corps across the country.” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President and CEO of The Corps Network. “All our member Corps and Corpsmembers make significant contributions to communities across the country. With this award, we celebrate those who have gone above and beyond and exemplify the impact of national service. The Corps Network is humbled to engage with such inspiring people as Harley Tijerina and programs like California Conservation Corps.”
The six Corpsmembers of the Year will be honored at a ceremony on February 12, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC as part of The Corps Network’s 35th annual national conference, “Thrive: The Power of Community.” For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.corpsnetwork.org/conference/.
About the CCC
The California Conservation Corps is a state agency offering young adults a paid opportunity to improve California’s natural resources and communities. The CCC also responds to emergencies such as fires, floods, weather and agricultural disasters.
Created by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 1976, the CCC is the oldest and largest conservation corps in the nation.
The CCC has Corpsmember openings every month for young adults ages 18 to 25 and veterans to age 29. For information on joining, call 1-800-952-JOBS or visit ccc.ca.gov
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network, the national association of Service and Conservation Corps, provides leadership and support to over 130 Corps across the United States. Through advocacy, and providing Corps access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables more than 25,000 Corpsmembers to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service. To learn more about The Corps Network, visit www.corpsnetwork.org.
