BK ROT’s Youth Leaders Program is accepting applications from high school students in Bushwick and surrounding neighborhoods for its 2026 summer session, offering paid positions that combine environmental education with leadership development.
The program, which runs each summer, employs four to seven students and guides participants through composting education, environmental justice advocacy, and community organizing. Applications are due April 1.
“BK ROT’s Youth Leaders Program provides BK based high school students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in composting and environmental justice-based education,” according to the organization’s announcement. “Every summer BK ROT employs four to seven students, guiding the youth through trips, the composting process, and what it means to advocate for a more sustainable future.”
The program specifically targets students interested in the environment, NYC’s waste systems, community organizing, and leadership-building. Preference is given to BIPOC high school students from Bushwick and surrounding neighborhoods.
According to BK ROT, the Youth Leaders Program is designed for “students who are more prone to urban environmental inequities to learn and engage with preservation — ultimately allowing them to fabricate a basis for their future.”
The organization describes the program as providing hands-on experience in environmental advocacy alongside practical job skills. Participants engage in field trips, learn the technical aspects of composting, and develop skills in community organizing and environmental justice work.
The program addresses environmental inequities that disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. Through direct engagement with sustainability practices and environmental advocacy, participants gain both practical experience and leadership training.
Students interested in applying can access the application through BK ROT’s website. The deadline for 2026 applications is April 1.
Featured image: Bushwick Daily archive
