Sustainable Long Island to hire high school students

Sustainable Long Island has received a $25,000 grant for its high school fellowship program from the Manhattan-based Levitt Foundation.

The award this month allows the Long Island nonprofit to hire Long Island juniors and seniors to work with the staff on community planning and revitalization projects. The fellowship program is in its third year for the group, which studies economic development and environmental health.

"With the Levitt Foundation's generous funding, Long Island high school students will be able to see what it's like to work at a nonprofit organization, complete day-to-day tasks, while focusing on numerous projects and planning processes," said Ruth Negrón Gaines, above left, board president for Sustainable Long Island. "Students will be active in and learning about issues of sustainability, community planning, and development and civic engagement."

The Levitt Foundation gives grants to environment-related projects that involve children and youth from Long Island and New York City.

"Levitt Foundation is pleased to support this unique opportunity for Long Island teens to learn about their environment and take action to improve and protect their own communities," said Barbara R. Greenberg, adviser for the foundation.

Students work 20 hours a week during the summer and six during the school year at the Bethpage office of Sustainable Long Island or in their communities.

High school juniors and seniors who want to apply for the fellowship should send letter of interest and resume to Artineh Havan ahavan@sustainableli.org by May 27. Or call the group at 516-873-0230.

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