FollowALPAR is proud to announce that the Board of Directors recently voted to award $106,033 in grants to 46 communities across Alaska as part of its Youth Litter Patrol (YLP) program.
The YLP program aims to clean up and prevent litter in Alaska by providing seed money to communities to employ youth (ages 14-17 years old) during snow-free months. YLP also aides in the collection of recyclables during litter pickup with youth turning in used beverage cans for cash.
ALPAR dispersed the grants (and 575 safety vests!) in mid-April. Funds are used to pay youth and their adult supervisors. As many as 1,500 youth participate each year. The program not only creates youth employment opportunities, it reduces visible litter and increases the opportunity for recycling.
Grantees are encouraged to use the funds to leverage additional cash or in-kind donations such as rubber gloves, incentive prizes and refreshments (our practice is that funds may not be used to purchase prizes, food or fuel).
YLP supplements localized spring community volunteer cleanup efforts by focusing on public parks, walkways, streets, beaches and river banks throughout the entire summer.
YLP is supported by a grant from ConocoPhillips of Alaska ($25,000) and the MOA Solid Waste Services ($10,000) with the remainder funded by ALPAR (through the sale of recyclables).
