Something that Chicago new Rav4 drivers might find interesting is Toyota USA Foundation’s partnership with The Nature Conservancy and their plans to expand Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future: LEAF, an environmental leadership program for teenagers and educators. Sales teams at the Chicago used Toyota dealership are proud of the company helping the environment and adolescents.
The Toyota USA Foundation will use $800,000 to help expand LEAF’s 16 years of active participation in New York City. This grant will also help LEAF expand the program into new urban areas next year. This interesting and inspirational program combines environmental curriculum in high school classrooms and paid residential summer jobs for students on The Nature Conservancy reserves, ranging from the coasts in Main to the forests in Georgia.
Drivers of new Rav4 in Chicago may agree with my approval of Toyota’s efforts to give unprivileged youth the opportunities and resources that would otherwise be unavailable to them. These opportunities include providing urban youth with critical life, school, and workplace skills, sustained exposure to nature, the support to pursue higher education and careers in environmental fields – not to mention instilling a passion for the outdoors in adolescents who are unfamiliar with such activities. I very much support the mission of this partnership, as I feel it is an interesting topic for adolescents to study.
According to author David Orr, modern-day adolescents can identify over 1,000 corporate logos but less than 10 plants and animals that appear in their own neighborhoods and backyards. What I found even more surprising was that according to an Aquatic Adventures survey, 90 percent of city youth do not know how to swim, and 34 percent have never been to the beach. Back in college, I was studying to become an English teacher, and have spent many hours of observing in the classroom and learning about the educational system. Having a bit of interest improving youth’s motivation to learn, I am very impressed that Toyota is teaming up with The Nature Conservancy to help provide urban youth with such opportunities. Team members at the Chicago used Toyota dealership give their full support for this program and are available for consultation for any consumer who would like more information about LEAF.
