Tag: Blake Helm City of Columbia City

Stories From the Field: A RARE AmeriCorps Perspective

Posted on by Julia Havens

Life in RARE: Oh the places you’ll go!

Howdy Neighbor
Blake Helm St Helens RARE Americorps Program Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsOne of my favorite things about life in the RARE AmeriCorps Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments is not just living and working in my community, this is generally true for most of us, but RARE allows you to engage your community in ways that I feel you would not otherwise be able to. In a sense, it gives one a platform, and here in St. Helens we are taking advantage of our platform.

A Little Confidence
We have a great thing going in St. Helens. Life is good, we live next door to the Columbia River, have ample recreational opportunities, a major city right down the highway, and some great independent minded and creative people. However, the shadow of Portland looms large in our part of Columbia County and it’s sometimes hard for residents to see all the local character. With a little push from the right people, us local AmeriCorps representatives (3 RAREs and a VISTA) started a YouTube Channel called ‘We Are St. Helens.’

Blake Helm St Helens RARE Americorps Program Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsSmile for the Camera
‘We Are St. Helens’ looks at all parts of the community and celebrates them; our community’s history, businesses, environment, and hearts. We’ve made two videos so far that focus on St. Helens’ big heart, the local group called Community Meals and the nonprofit SAFE. These two organizations provide a service to the community that can’t always be quantified but should always be applauded. Local businesses are getting the spotlight as well with a video on Alterations by Heather, a local alteration shop that promotes its employee’s hand crafted wares.

What’s Next?
We hope that these videos can inspire local residents, help them to appreciate all the great things around them, and eventually for them to connect and participate with their community. ‘We Are St. Helens’ will soon post its 6th video about the city’s lone distillery, Ye ‘Ole Grog Distillery, so be on the lookout!

 

Blake Helm RARE AmeriCorps Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsAbout the Author: Blake received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in GIS from Penn State University. Blake has worked with Lane Council of Governments, Willamalane Parks and Recreation, and the Army Corps of Engineers on an array of GIS related projects. Blake applied to the RARE AmeriCorps Program in hopes of further developing a skill set that will allow him to find work in his most desired career field – planning and community development. Blake placed with the Port of St. Helens, where he is utilizing his GIS experience to develop a more sophisticated map of Port properties for marketing and development efforts. He is also assisting with the complex permitting process needed for further development of the Port Marina; assisting with compiling various grants; and, helping address an increasing need to develop more robust Emergency Management Plans.

Meet Our RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Blake Helm

Posted on by Julia Havens

Blake Helm RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments

Blake Helm received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from The University of Texas, Austin. After attaining his Bachelor’s degree, he went on to complete a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in GIS from Penn State University before moving on to work with Lane Council of Governments, Willamalane Parks and Recreation, and the Army Corps of Engineers on an array of GIS related projects. Needless to say, Blake is more than efficient when it comes to GIS. Blake applied to RARE AmeriCorps – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments in hopes of further developing a skill set that will allow him to find work in his most desired career field – planning and community development. Following his year with the RARE Program, Blake plans to apply to the University of Oregon’s Community and Regional Planning graduate program.

Blake is placed with Port of St. Helens, which is a special district focused on the creation and sustainment of jobs, primarily through the use of transportation infrastructure, land sales and leases, and access to bond finance. The Port of St. Helens’ mission is not only to recruit new businesses but also to help industries that currently exist. The Port of St. Helens works with numerous businesses as Port tenants that provide hundreds full-time jobs. Approximately 2,600 acres of property split between a general aviation airpark, a public marina, and a combination of light and heavy industrial zoned sites exist within the Port’s boundaries.

With the Port of St. Helens, Blake will carry out an array of planning activities. Specifically, Blake will use GIS to develop a more sophisticated mapping of Port properties for marketing and development efforts, provide vital assistance with the complex permitting process needed for further development of the Port Marina, assist with compiling various grants, and help address an increasing need to develop more robust Emergency Management Plans.

Organization: Port of St. Helens
Community: Columbia City, Oregon
Population: 49,351
County: Columbia