Green jobs leave a green legacy
By Elizabeth Craig
Planting trees and shrubs along the I-205 Multi-Use Path on a cold and windy Saturday morning, 19-year-old Antonio Askew thinks about the future.
“Like if I have kids, I can tell them, ‘Hey, I helped with that,’” said Askew as he pointed to freshly planted trees along the path.
Askew is a graduate of Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (Portland OIC), an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth engage in school and training. Portland OIC recently joined in a unique partnership with Friends of Trees, Oregon Department of Transportation and Metro to green the I-205 Multi-Use Path with thousands of trees and shrubs over a three-year period.
As part of the project, Portland OIC, the Portland Development Commission, and Worksystems, Inc. are creating 16 green jobs and expanding environmental education to under-served and minority communities.
Askew discovered his enjoyment of environmental education and training when he connected with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to repair a park trail, a previous opportunity through Portland OIC.
“I enjoyed it,” he said. “It was my first time reconstructing natural habitat.”
Askew’s experience with the BLM helped land him a job as a civil engineering aide out of its Salem office. He believes that networking is an important part of the work he’s doing through Portland OIC.
“It’s a way to meet people and make connections,” Askew explained. “That’s why I come out and do these functions.”
Having graduated from Portland OIC in June 2008, Askew stays engaged with the organization through a graduate support group. He credits Portland OIC with pushing him to finish high school and to go to college. While he is currently taking the term off for financial reasons, he plans to go back to school at Portland Community College in the spring.
In his free time, Askew said he likes to spend time with his girlfriend and family, go bowling, and golf. He plans to take advantage of the green jobs that are being created through the I-205 Multi-Use Path greening project by taking part in six plantings.
“I just love nature,” he said.
–Elizabeth Craig is a community affairs coordinator for ODOT.