Tag: Maia HardyAmeriCorps Oregon Volunteers

Meet our RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Maia Hardy

Maia Hardy RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments City of Creswell AmeriCorps

About Maia Hardy

Maia received her Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and Non-Profit Management from Eastern Michigan University.  In her last few months as a student, Maia was as the Ypsilanti Representative for the Millennial Mayors Congress where she met with elected officials and civil leaders to discuss pertinent and pressing issues facing the Detroit-metro region.  As a student, Maia was also selected for a number of competitive grants, internships and research opportunities.  After realizing her passion for planning and community development, Maia decided to dedicate herself to serving communities in need, making her a perfect fit for the RARE-Resource Assistant for Rural Environments AmeriCorps Program.  Following Maia’s second year with the RARE AmeriCorps Program, she plans on enrolling in a Master’s program at the University of Oregon.

About the City of Creswell

Creswell, Oregon is located in the Southern portion of the Willamette Valley and has recently emerged from a period of time with significant political challenges. With a new roster of City Councilors, a new City Administrator, and a new full time Planning Technician, there are a number of projects on the horizon that will benefit the city of Creswell. The population of approximately 5,060 continues to grow faster than the State average, estimating 11,000 people by 2032. Currently the greatest challenge facing Creswell is the lack of a vision that outlines the values of the City.

Working with the City of Creswell, Maia will expand on the visioning efforts that were put forth by the former RARE participant in 2013-2014.  Initially, she will focus her efforts on economic development and conducting an assessment of the business community. The assessment will require extensive research utilizing a mail-in survey methodology combined with stakeholder interviewing. Once data has been collected, a set of recommendations will bring together the business community with local and regional stakeholders. Maia will also be undertaking a management plan for one of Creswell’s two parks, Garden Lake Park. The goal is to create a vision for the park, and identify long and short term solutions to the seasonal algae blooms in the ponds. Garden Lake Park is also the venue for the annual Earth Day Celebration put forth each year by the RARE participant in Creswell.