Tag: Columbia River Gorge

Meet our RARE participants: Valerie Walker & City of St. Helens

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Valerie received her Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from Southern Adventist University in Tennessee.  After attaining her Bachelors Degree, Valerie traveled the world, working two years as a teacher in South Korea and subsequently spending two more years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.  As a Peace Corps Volunteer she worked as the Supervisor of a Healthy Schools Program that covered five rural communities in the Highlands of Guatemala.  While in Peace Corps, Valerie also designed and introduced a viable supplement to firewood in the form of an ignitable brick made of shredded paper that is formed with a simple machine.  Following her year with the RARE Program, Valerie has committed herself to further pursuing a career in the non-profit arena.

Placement: City of St. Helens

Population: 12,380

Location: St. Helens

Sponsor:  Columbia Pacific Food Bank

Supervisor: Tracie Smith

County: Columbia

Columbia Pacific Food Bank: Columbia River Gorge.  Food Systems.

Columbia Pacific Food Bank is a community based non-profit organization dedication to fighting hunger and its underlying causes.  Columbia Pacific Food Bank works to acquire and distribute thousands of pounds of food and household items each year though its 21 member agencies.  The Food Bank receives, warehouses and distributes food daily to food programs throughout Columbia County.

The RARE participant placed with the Columbia Pacific Food Bank will use momentum gained during the last year to gather and share food market related perspectives of businesses, growers and institutional food directors.  This information sharing will take place at an event planned and developed by the RARE participant.  The participant will also update a Countywide Local Food Guide and further develop the St. Helens Farmers Market.   Because of the positive feedback Columbia Pacific Food Bank received from groups and individuals throughout the community, they are very excited to have a RARE participant on board for the next year.

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Meet more of our RARE participants here!

Now accepting applications. Applications must be received by April 26, 2013. Apply Now!


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Meet our RARE participants: Rebecca Sergeant & City of Cascade Locks

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Rebecca received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Southern Illinois University.  Continuing her education, Rebecca received a Masters in Architecture from the New School of Architecture and Design.   After completing her Master’s Degree, Rebecca worked as an intern architect, architectural coordinator and a freelance model builder.  Rebecca joined the RARE Program alongside her husband, Jason, and their daughter Mary.  Following her year with the RARE Program, Rebecca hopes to develop her own authentic character and perhaps step up to role model status for her daughter.

Placement: City of Cascade Locks

 Population:  1,200

Location:  Cascade Locks

Sponsor:  City of Cascade Locks

Supervisor:  Paul Koch

County: Hood River

Columbia River Gorge.  Economic Development.

Cascade Locks is a historic town located in the heart of Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and Cascade Mountains.  It is one of the oldest towns on the Columbia River, originating in 1853 with the arrival of three families who settled alongside an existing native population.  A small settlement grew up on the banks of the river to help travelers portage around the rapids, first by foot, then by mule-drawn rail cars, steam engines, and finally riverboats.  The City took its name from a set of locks built to improve navigation past the Cascades Rapids of the Columbia River.  Incorporated in 1935, the City of Cascade Locks is led by an elected Mayor, a City Administrator and six City Councilors.

The RARE participant placed with the City of Cascade Locks will coordinate with various community groups to promote the City as a tourist destination.  Specifically, the participant will work with the Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee, downtown merchants, the Tourism Committee and the Port of Cascade Locks to plan, conduct and evaluate new activities aimed at bringing more visitors to the community. The participant will also identify local volunteer opportunities, create a volunteer marketing and recruitment campaign, train volunteers, oversee the work of the volunteers, and help the community evaluate its volunteers and the events.

More on RARE

Meet more of our RARE participants here!

More on Planning, Public Policy and Management at the University of Oregon.

Now accepting applications. Applications must be received by April 26, 2013. Apply Now!


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