Nonprofits Insurance Alliance - 2018 NIA Annual Report

Community support founded on caring for the environment benefits both communities and individuals. Austin Youth River Watch is a multi-year, after-school and summer program that provides environmental education combined with peer mentoring, community engagement, and the thrill of adventure to under- served high school students. Students in the program—River Watchers—meet weekly with program coordinators to collect, analyze, and publish data from waterways in the Austin area. The students then report their data to local and statewide agencies. More experienced River Watchers teach younger River Watchers, building confidence, science skills, a solid com- munity bond, and treasured memories. River Watchers also engage in community outreach, environmental restoration, and outdoor adven- ture activities to expand their experiences. Once acquiring a sense of belonging in a group environment—and caring for their natural sur- roundings—River Watchers implement higher expectations for themselves and stay in school until graduation. For River Watcher seniors, the graduation rate is nearly 100 percent and many graduates choose career paths in science. Austin Youth River Watch Austin, TX www.riverwatchers.org 22 A Cooperative of Nonprofits, for Nonprofits.