Tag: Stories from the Field: A RARE Perspective

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.

Stories from the Field: A RARE AmeriCorps Perspective

Posted on by Julia Havens

That’s Right, I’m From Kansas

Kansas-pancake

One of my favorite things to do when I go skiing is to make it widely known that I am originally from Kansas. This almost universally elicits the same reaction by all who are willing to listen: you begin to see this glimmer in their eye as it clicks that they are giving this girl in her mid-twenties, who is from an area that is literally flatter than a pancake a totally new and broadening experience not only into this particular realm of sports, but into an entirely new set of topography. And, their reactions, in my case, are justifiably warranted. Each time I see a mountain it is as though it’s the first time; the excitement, even after a year has yet to dissipate.

This principle is very much so comparable to my time spent working in Eastern Oregon, namely, Milton-Freewater. I have never ceased to be amazed by the dedication of these people to the place they call home. Growing up in a suburb of Kansas City, this deep sense of identity and unique culture just didn’t seem to be a focus. Here, however, these are the things that community members are willing to put in hours of their time and sums of money to achieve. The more time I spend with such people, the more I begin to catch this “bug” and the more I want to be a part of the growth of a community working together to become the ideal place to live in and visit. Without the opportunity to be placed in Milton-Freewater through the RARE AmeriCorps Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments, the spectrum of opportunities for community development would be much like the mountains prior to my moving to Oregon; something you can read about in books, but is life-altering in reality.

 

Alina Launchbaugh RARE Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsAbout the Author: Alina Launchbaugh received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies/Theology from Manhattan Christian College. After graduating from college, Alina lived and worked in Nyeri, Kenya as a Youth Enterprise Volunteer. Following Alina’s second year with the RARE AmeriCorps Program, she plans to attend law school.

Alina is placed with Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance, where she works as the organization’s Main Street Program Manager. Specifically, Alina is conducting research needed to identify available commercial space in the business district. She is also taking the lead on moving forward the city’s newly developed Main Street Program via an array of advocacy and outreach efforts.