Empowering Gulf Coast Youth in the Face of Disasters

This project aims to develop youth leaders knowledgeable in community disaster resilience and provide educational pathways from high school to college and onto careers in climate resilience. High school students gain an interdisciplinary experience, combining education in disasters, urban planning, and public health holistically.

Developed by project partner Charity Productions and supported by faculty with the Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center, and imbedded in schools across the Southeast Texas region, the project incorporates mentorship, high school and college credits, professional development continuing education credits, field visits with hands-on data collection, interactive planning activities, engagement with guest speakers and leading professionals, and a fellowship program. In addition, the HRRC and TxTC host an annual overnight week-long summer camp, Camp DASH (Disaster, Advocacy, Sustainability, and Health). This year, 25 students attended from Port Arthur, and Beaumont!