Texas Conservation Corps a Program of American YouthWorks

10/08/2026

Clean & Green was proud to partner with Lieutenant Randy Scales of Harris County Precinct 1 to restore a corner of the Acres Homes community and turn an eyesore into a space the neighborhood could be proud of. ✨

Our participants removed 4 tires, 7 fifty-gallon bags of trash, 1 large piece of furniture, and additional debris, clearing about 8.5 cubic yards of illegally dumped waste from the area. 🗑💪

But the work didn’t stop there. With support from Harris County in removing the larger items, our crew was able to go a step further — clearing sidewalks, removing invasive species, and uncovering stop signs that had been blocked by debris.

What started as an illegal dumpsite became an opportunity to restore more than just a physical space. Our participants helped restore a sense of pride, safety, and care within the community.

We are especially grateful to Erica Davis, Chief of Staff, and Anne Watkins, Acres Homes community activist, for taking the time to join us, support our efforts, and recognize the work our participants are doing in their community. 🤝💫

The appreciation we received from multiple community members reminded us why this work matters. Clean & Green isn’t just removing trash — we’re helping communities reclaim their spaces and creating meaningful opportunities for our participants to serve and give back. 🌎🙌

Thank you to everyone who helped make this cleanup possible. Together, we’re creating cleaner communities, one project at a time. 🌿💚

09/29/2026

And more to come!! 🙌💚💚

Another successful cleanup!

09/29/2026

Giving back to our communities and keeping them clean is so important to us!! Thank you for sharing our work we so appreciate it!! 🤩💚

Three crew members. Five sites. SEVENTEEN cubic yards of illegal dumping gone. 💪🌿

These before-and-after photos tell the story: cleaner blocks along Drew and McIlhenny streets, thanks to the hardworking American YouthWorks Clean & Green crew!

The haul included 2 tires, 3 mattresses, 2 large pieces of furniture, 12 fifty-gallon trash bags filled by participants, and plenty more. All 17 cubic yards were properly disposed of at a neighborhood depository.

Neighbors stopped to share their thanks—and we’re adding ours. Friends of Columbia Tap is grateful to the crew and participants who put care for Third Ward into action.

Our neighborhood deserves this care every day. Let’s keep showing up for it. 💚

09/23/2026

💚 Our September 17 field notes capture what partnership looks like in action!

Friends of Columbia Tap sends a huge thank-you to our Texas Conservation Corps a Program of American YouthWorks Clean & Green partners for helping clean up the Columbia Tap Trail and Greater Third Ward. These before-and-after photos show just one piece of their hard work!

On September 15, two crews tackled eight sites and properly disposed of 34 cubic yards of illegally dumped waste, including 6 tires, 22 fifty-gallon bags of trash, 6 mattresses, and 9 large pieces of furniture.

Behind every “after” photo are people doing the heavy lifting for our neighborhoods. Thank you, Katelynn Hernandez and the entire Clean & Green team, for showing up and showing our community some love. 🌳🙌

Our neighborhood deserves care, and we’re grateful for partners who put that care into action. Drop a 💚 to help us thank these crews!

09/23/2026

This means so much to us!! Thank you for sharing our work and all we do!! We couldn’t appreciate it more!!💚💚💚

💚 Cleaner trails. Greener blocks. Stronger community.

Friends of Columbia Tap is so grateful for our hardworking Texas Conservation Corps a Program of American YouthWorks Clean & Green crews helping us care for the Columbia Tap Trail and Greater Third Ward!

On September 15 alone, two crews cleaned eight sites, removing 34 cubic yards of illegally dumped waste, including:

🛞 6 tires
🗑️ 22 fifty-gallon bags of trash
🛏️ 6 mattresses
🪑 9 large pieces of furniture

That’s a whole lot of hard work and a visible difference for our neighbors. Every cleared corner helps make our community more welcoming and reflects the care our neighborhood deserves.

Thank you to Katelynn Hernandez and the entire Clean & Green team for showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and being such valued partners. We appreciate you! 🙌🌳

Help us show these crews some love in the comments!

09/17/2026

📣Explore conservation career pathways and launch your professional journey by joining TXCC Houston's HEAT Crew!🔥

🌱 Gain on-the-job experience, develop leadership skills, and build a foundation for a future in conservation and habitat restoration through AmeriCorps service.

💫 All experiences are welcome and no experience is required for Crew Member positions
💫 One year of relevant experience required for Crew Leader positions
💫 Various experience and educational requirements required for Individual Placements

Benefits include:
⚒️ Monthly Living Allowance
⚒️ Paid Service Learning and Professional Development
⚒️ Free Health Insurance for qualified Crew Types
⚒️ Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: money for qualified student loans, higher education and training programs
⚒️ On-the-Job Trainings, Industry-Recognized Certifications, Technical/Fundamental Skills Training, and more!

📅 HEAT Oct 19, 2026 - Jun 17, 2027
📍 Houston, TX

📝 Apply now at the link in our bio! Explore Open Positions, and View Crew Type Qualifications on our website at ayw.org/cc 🔗

09/14/2026

Clean & Green Spotlight 🌟
August Progress Report is here! Be sure to scroll through ➡️😎

First, what is Clean & Green?
The Clean & Green Program focuses on cleaning up illegal dumpsites throughout , directly contributing to cleaner neighborhoods, healthier ecosystems, reduced public health burdens, stronger community resilience, and long-term environmental sustainability in Harris County. ✨

Clean & Green ended the summer with a bang and continues to drive sustainable change across Harris County! 💪🏽🌎

We do more than pick up trash—we remove illegal dumpsites in communities disproportionately impacted by illegal dumping, properly dispose of waste, recycle illegally dumped tires, and create opportunities for our participants to give back. ♻️

From planting trees and removing invasive species to preparing meals with the Houston Food Bank, our work is about creating healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable communities.

We’re not just cleaning up—we’re creating change! 💚

August 2026 in review:
🏗️21 illegal dump sites cleaned up
🛏️21 illegally dumped mattresses disposed correctly
🛋️47 illegally dumped large pieces of furniture disposed correctly
🛞122 tires picked up & recycled
🚮101 of 50 gallon bags of illegally dumped trash disposed correctly
🗑️25.92 tons of illegally dumped trash collected and disposed correctly (172.80 cubic yards)

Stay tuned for our September stats! 👀💫

09/09/2026

Congratulations to our Lavender Crew, graduates!! 🎓🎉

It has been such a pleasure watching this years Summer Youth Crew grow and turn each challenge they've faced into an opportunity to serve not only their communities, but their environment as well!

From wading into wetland restoration projects with the Houston Parks Board, to tree watering and clean ups (urban forestry) with the Bayou Preservation Association, to participating in every Green Wave litter pickup event. Lavender Crew has never shied away from getting their hands a little dirty. 💪

We’d also like to take a moment to celebrate our members for being awarded with certificates of congressional recognition at their graduation by the Office of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, which was presented to them by Hector Doratt! 🤩👏

We're so proud of all they've accomplished this term and excited to see where their conservation journeys take them next! ✨💜

09/04/2026

Congratulations to our Gold Crew graduates! 🎓🎉

Over the course of their season, the Gold Crew put in the hard work to restore habitats and waterways, improve public lands, and give back our communities. 🙌

We’re incredibly proud of all they accomplished and grateful for the time and energy they invested over the course of their term.

We can’t wait to see where your next adventure takes you. ✨💛

08/21/2026

As we gear up for our Celebration of Impact & Opportunity on August 26, we want to pause and say:

Thank you.

Thank you to the incredible sponsors and supporters who are now part of our inaugural AYW Grow & Serve Fund. Because of you, young people are earning diplomas. Building careers. Restoring land. Responding to disasters. And building brighter futures for themselves and their families.

You are the reason AYW has been able to serve young people for more than 50 years. Your belief in our mission makes everything we do possible.

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What's the AYW Grow & Serve Fund? It's our new annual giving initiative dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people year-round. Through this fund, we provide education, paid career training, leadership development, service opportunities, and critical support services that help young people overcome barriers and achieve long-term success.

On Wednesday, August 26, we're hosting our Celebration of Impact & Opportunity at Upstairs at Antone's Nightclub — and we'd love to see you there.

Event Details:
📅 Wednesday, August 26 | 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Upstairs at Antone's Nightclub
🥂 Cocktails & appetizers
🎸 A special music performance
🤝 Connection with fellow supporters
📖 Stories of impact from the young people you're empowering

Limited sponsorships and individual tickets are still available!
Click the link in our bio or visit bit.ly/AYWGSFund26 ❤