The Corps Network, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced today that Michael Hendricks, a standout member of Greencorps Chicago, will be recognized as a national Corpsmember of the Year at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., next year.

The Washington-based Corps Network presents the annual Corpsmember of the Year Award to a select group of extraordinary young adults chosen from the thousands who serve in the national network of conservation groups.

“All our member Corps and Corpsmembers make significant contributions to communities across the country,” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, CEO of The Corps Network. “With the Corpsmember of the Year Award, we have the opportunity to celebrate extraordinary individuals and programs from our network and shed light on the vast capabilities of Corps; our awardees are symbols of the impact of national service. The Corps Network is humbled to represent such inspiring people as Michael Hendricks and programs like Greencorps Chicago.”

Hendricks, 22, is one of 23 Greencorps Chicago members who graduated this month from the nine-month green industry training program run by CDOT for people with barriers to employment, which is a priority for the Administration of Mayor Rahm Emanuel. During his time with Greencorps, Hendricks received class room training and performed conservation work throughout Chicago. He also spent 15 nights working with the US Forest Service with a crew that travelled to Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois as part of Greencorps’ first-ever partnership with the Forest Service.

“We are all extremely proud of this national recognition that Michael has earned,” CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld said. “He is known among his fellow Corpsmembers as a young man that excels at his job, but does so humbly, and wants everyone to do just as well. The optimism and excitement he displayed every day was contagious, whether he was working on projects across Chicago or in Southern Illinois. He exemplifies how Greencorps is making a difference in people’s lives and preparing them to play a role in making Chicago a greener, more sustainable city.”

“My Corps experience has opened my eyes to a world I have never imagined,” Hendricks said. “Growing up in the inner city, I had never been exposed to the forest in the way that Greencorps has exposed me. I had never touched a chainsaw before. I never dropped a large tree. I never camped before. I had never even spent any time in the woods. So the experience was completely new. Not only was I taken out of my comfort zone, I was also taught hard skills that are needed to succeed.”

Hendricks joined Greencorps Chicago in March, 2016, and earned numerous certifications and licenses, including an Illinois Pesticide Applicator license. He also passed Greencorps assessments in areas including chainsaw operation and maintenance; chipper operation; invasive species identification; small engine maintenance; and brush pile burning. Each of these achievements makes him more employable.

As part of the Greencorps crew that made three trips to Southern Illinois and worked with the Forest Service to map and inventory invasive species, he spent 15 nights camped in the wilderness.

“He was a vital member of the team that helped Greencorps build a positive relationship with our new partners at the US Forest Service,” said Greencorps Program Manager Andy Johnson of WRD Environmental. “That was an experience that was outside of his comfort zone, and we are proud of him for his willingness to challenge himself that way.”

Greencorps has also benefited from Michael’s leadership and communications skills. He was asked to participate in the Chicago Service Year Alliance’s Youth Leadership Team and was invited to participate in the Greencorps Chicago Planning Summit this past summer that explored how to best position Greencorps for the next five years

“He is thoughtful, engaging, and an outspoken advocate for more employment and service opportunities for youth in Chicago,” Edde Jones, CDOT Program Director for Greencorps said. “He demonstrates what it means to give back through civic engagement.”

The Corpsmembers of the Year are young people who have demonstrated personal growth, a sincere commitment to service and outstanding leadership skills. All winners of the Corpsmember of the Year Award are nominated by their Corps and selected by staff from The Corps Network and its member Corps.

The six Corpsmembers of the Year for 2017 will be honored at a ceremony on February 15th on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. as part of The Corps Network’s 2017 National Conference, “Moving Forward Together: Promoting Racial, Environmental and Community Equity.” For more information about the conference, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org/national-conference.

About Local Corps

Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment. Its vision is to see every participant discover their pathway to success while supporting Chicagoland’s sustainability initiatives. Greencorps’ mission is to empower residents from Chicagoland’s underserved neighborhoods to create positive change in their own lives and communities through training, service, and career or educational opportunities in environmental fields. Greencorps’ project-based model accomplishes daily technical skills and job readiness training while also developing and implementing meaningful projects that support regional sustainability and resiliency initiatives. Greencorps succeeds through an array of public and private partnerships along with strong support from the city, county, state, and community partners. For more information about Greencorps Chicago, please visit Greencorps Chicago or follow on Facebook, Greencorps-Chicago.

About The Corps Network

The Corps Network provides leadership and support to over 130 of America’s Service and Conservation Corps. Through advocacy and providing Corps access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables over 24,000 Corpsmembers, ages 16-25, to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service.

To learn more about The Corps Network, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org