Tag: Katherine Hayes

Meet Our RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Katherine Hayes

Posted on by Julia Havens

Katherine Hayes RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments

Katherine Hayes received her Bachelor of Arts degree in both International Studies and Economics from American University in Washington, DC. As a student, she had the opportunity to pursue a four-month intensive Arabic language study abroad program in Irbid, Jordan. Katherine has also held an array of other prestigious internships with organizations such as Global Fund for Children, Hands Along the Nile Development Services, and the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation. Needless to say, service is an integral part of Katherine’s life. As such, RARE AmeriCorps – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments was the perfect next step for her. Via her year with the RARE Program, Katherine hopes to further develop a strong foundation and serve as a significant resource as she pursues her career in economic development. Following her year with the RARE Program, Katherine plans on attending graduate school.

Katherine is placed with The Coos Bay Downtown Association, which was established 34 years ago with the goal of promoting and enhancing the downtown area. It is an organization made up of nine board members that are elected by the membership to serve a three-year term. The goal and mission of the Coos Bay Downtown Association has not varied, but the intensity has waned in the past. The current board has taken on the task of renewing the excitement of not only the downtown area but the association as well. They have succeeded in the latter to some degree, bringing back an awareness of the Coos Bay Downtown Association and all the benefits it has for downtown Coos Bay and the surrounding areas.

With The Coos Bay Downtown Association, Katherine will coordinate and support various components of the Oregon Main Street Program. Specifically, Katherine will take on the role as Coos Bay Downtown Association’s lead coordinator, where she will attend Main Street Program meetings, work with appropriate organizations, and participate in joint activities and initiatives. Additionally, Katherine will develop a policy manual for the organization based on an identified strategic planning process.

Organization: Coos Bay Downtown Association
Community: Coos Bay, Oregon
Population: 15,967
County: Coos County

ready. . . set. . . SNOW!

Posted on by Julia Havens

Top Story on the News Tonight: Snow

Just about every community in the state of Oregon is hunkering down for snow, snow and even more snow. Levels range from 1 to 3 inches along the south coast to 7 to 10 inches in areas east of the Cascade Range. The National Weather Service says the cold weather will last through the weekend and transition to milder and wetter conditions (a.k.a. rain) by the middle of next week.  With that in mind, the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments-RARE AmeriCorps participants took a moment to share photos of their community’s first winter wonderland conditions before the rain washes it all away.

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments - University of OregonThe mission of the RARE Program is to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level participants, from across the US.  These RARE AmeriCorps participants live in and serve 25 rural Oregon communities assisting in the development and implementation of projects for achieving a sustainable natural resource base and improving rural economic conditions. The markers on the map represents the 25 RARE placements throughout Oregon for 2013-14.



Special thank you to Andrew Barbier, Aubrey Erwin, Jeremy Goldsmith, Laura Goodrich, Maggie Hanna, Julie Havens, Katherine Hayes, Blake Helm, Gabby Pauling, Maddie Phillips, Rebecca and Jason Sergeant, Saira Siddiqui, and Titus Tomlinson for sharing their photos with us.