WSU seeks AmeriCorps members for local partnerships

Washington State University Vancouver is seeking three AmeriCorps workers to help carry out a new community partnership that will provide southwest Washington youth and adult volunteers with educational and career exploration opportunities in environmental stewardship, science and technology.

Partners include WSU Clark County Extension 4-H, Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center and Salmon Creek Elementary School.

“We look at this as a preliminary step in further connecting the university to our local community,” said Michael Holroyd, area extension faculty member at WSU Vancouver’s Engineering and Science Institute. “WSU Vancouver is excited about entering into these local partnerships and the opportunity to include AmeriCorps volunteers. Recruitment of youth participants and adult volunteers will be key in our efforts.”

Educational programs and activities at Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center will focus on restoration projects and environmental stewardship. Programs and activities at Salmon Creek Elementary School will focus on science and technology in the classroom as well as after-school programs. Programs based on the WSU Vancouver campus will focus on career exploration and workforce preparation opportunities for middle school and high school youth.

The AmeriCorps members will begin their projects in October and work 40 hours a week for 10 and a half months. One AmeriCorps volunteer will work at each Vancouver location: WSU Vancouver, Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center and Salmon Creek Elementary School. Applications for the positions are being accepted. Candidates must be 18-25 years of age, be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national or permanent resident alien of the United States, have a high school diploma or GED, or agree to obtain one while serving.

Benefits include an $850 per month living stipend, covered health insurance, workers’ compensation, $200 training allowance and a $4,725 education award, which may be used to pay off prior student loans or for future education. For more information and a complete WSU Vancouver Community Partnership/AmeriCorps application packet, contact Holroyd at (360) 546-9121 or e-mail to holroyd@vancouver.wsu.edu.

The Washington Service Corps administers a statewide network of AmeriCorps teams and individual projects in partnership with community-based agencies, units of local government and other non-profit organizations. The projects are designed to strengthen communities and build an ethic of service by challenging state residents with opportunities to make a difference by serving the needs of local communities.

WSU Vancouver is a land-grant university that offers 15 bachelor’s and eight master’s degrees in more than 35 fields of study. As part of its mission, the university initiates many activities to address issues of immediate community concern. These include joint efforts with the K-12 school system, local businesses and community organizations, health and human services and public agencies. A list of WSU Vancouver’s community partnerships can be found at http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ca/partnerships.html.