To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Report Title: PRESENTATION honoring Thomas Kauffman for being selected the 2025 Corpsmember of the Year. (Supervisor Carlson)
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution honoring Thomas Kauffman for being selected the 2025 Corpsmember of the Year. (Supervisor Carlson)
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
See Resolution for more information.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
N/A
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF honoring Thomas Kauffman for being selected the 2025 Corpsmember of the Year
WHEREAS, the Corpsmember of the Year Award recognizes exceptional young adults in Service and Conservation Corps across the country who demonstrate outstanding leadership, commitment to service, and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Kauffman’s journey with Civicorps exemplifies resilience, growth, and leadership; and
WHEREAS, Civicorps empowers corpsmembers to pursue family-sustaining careers through job training and education in conservation and recycling, fostering the next generation of environmental stewards in the Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, their mission is to re-engage young adults, age 18-26, to earn their high school diplomas, gain job skills, pursue college, and embark on family sustaining careers; and
WHEREAS, Thomas joined Civicorps in 2022, quickly emerging as a role model and advocate for conservation and youth development; and
WHEREAS s, within six months, he earned a place in the prestigious Conservation Crew Leader Academy, excelling in roles that required discipline, technical expertise, and leadership; and
WHEREAS, his dedication led to multiple certifications, including Wilderness First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and the S-212 Basic Chainsaw certification. His leadership skills further distinguished him, earning him the Crew Leader II status, a role reserved for those capable of leading teams independently; and
WHEREAS, Thomas was appointed as Civicorps’ inaugural part-time Video Intern, where his creative storytelling brought the organization’s mission to life on social media; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, Thomas reached another milestone by securing a year-long Facilities Maintenance Internship at Mt. Diablo State Park through a partnership between Civicorps and the California State Parks Foundation, where he honed his technical skills in building maintenance and infrastructure repair; and
WHEREAS, Thomas’s journey is a shining example of the transformative power of Civicorps and the Corps experience; and
WHEREAS, looking to the future, Thomas aspires to become a park ranger or a drone operator for firefighting and search-and-rescue operations, while also advocating for Corps programs to expand opportunities for young people in national service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes Thomas Kauffman for his dedication, leadership, and contributions to conservation and civic engagement.
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