December 20, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beth Cefalu
Strategic Communications Director
845-638-5645

Rockland Conservation and Service Corpsmember Honored Nationally

Charity Dikson Selected As 2023 Corpsmembers of the Year

New City, NY, - County Executive Ed Day is proud to announce one of our very own Rockland Conservation and Service (RCSO) Corpsmember has been selected as The Corps Network’s 2023 Corpsmembers of the year.

Charity Dikson, a Village of Haverstraw resident, is one of five winners of the prestigious award and will be honored at The Corps Network’s upcoming national conference in Washington, D.C. March 7-9, 2023.

Dikson began her service within the Rockland Conservation & Service Corps in 2020, and worked with the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University’s Next Generation of Hudson River Educators. In a short timespan she became a spokesperson for the program, speaking at conferences, webinars, and events over the last 3 summers.  

The Corps Network presents the Corpsmember of the Year Award on an annual basis to young adults chosen from among the approximately 25,000 individuals who serve in member organizations of The Corps Network. The awardees are youth who demonstrate growth, leadership, and a commitment to helping their community during their corps service.

Charity Dikson served over 750 hours as a Corpsmember with RCSC. Assigned to the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory’s Next Generation of Hudson River Educators program, Charity engaged students in Hudson River science through hands-on field investigation and place-based education, so students who traditionally do not have access to the Hudson could develop an appreciation for this unique estuary. She made an indelible impact on these youth – mentoring 19 students over two summers. Charity also co-facilitated Science Saturdays on the Piermont Pier, educating over 1,400 people through the Hudson River citizen science programming.

Additionally, Charity assisted the Conservation Corps with reclaiming pillaged Native American land in Harriman State Park, installing a pocket park in West Haverstraw, building benches and firepits for a youth camp, installing a prototype erosion control measure with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, participated in two Repair Cafes, Get Fresh food drives and several other group projects. The Haverstraw Brick Museum and Keep Rockland Beautiful have also counted Charity among their volunteers.

Currently a sophomore Journalism major at the New School, Charity continues to inspire people through her writing, volunteerism, and social justice activism.

Rockland Conservation and Service Corps is one of more than 150 member organizations of The Corps Network. As defined by The Corps Network, Corps are local, state or national programs that engage young adults (generally ages 16 – 25) and veterans (up to age 35) in service activities addressing conservation and community needs. Through a term of service that could last from a few months to a year, Corps participants – or “Corpsmembers” – complete meaningful projects while gaining job experience and developing in-demand skills.

“Charity Dikson is an inspiration and reminder that regardless of where you come from you can make a difference,” said County Executive Ed Day. “For over twenty years now, our Rockland County Youth Bureau has fostered a special program for teens and young adults like Dikson who seek to learn and help on matters affecting our environment. I want to acknowledge Dikson, along with all our other corpsmembers, and our Youth Bureau for their dedication and passion.”

The five 2023 Corpsmembers of the Year will be honored at The Corps Network’s annual national conference, taking place March 7 – 9, 2023. For more information about the conference, please visit https://corpsnetwork.org/conference-events/national-conference/.

Applications are open for the 2023 Rockland Conservation and Service Corps. For more information, please visit https://rb.gy/cwvk0i.