Campus Corps Leaders Perform Direct Service to their Communities

The role of a Campus Corps Leader is a unique full time AmeriCorps position whose existence ensures that Montana Campus Corps programs throughout the state receive the support that they need to flourish. Our group of leaders dedicate the majority of their time to building the capacity of their campus' program: providing support to their Campus Corps members, setting up service projects in the community, recruiting more students to be involved in community service, building new community partnerships, etc. These tasks  require a great deal of "behind the scenes" work and do not necessarily entail that the leader has regular contact with the community members that their initiatives provide services to. In order to compensate for this lack of regular direct contact with community members, each leader is also required to select a direct service site which gives them the opportunity to develop relationships with community members whose needs their program aims to meet.

The services provided by this year's leaders at their direct service sites support a variety of community initiatives and admirable organizations across the state for which they are helping to build the capacity. Check out the list of direct service placements that our leaders are serving at this year, as each has selected a position that gives them the opportunity to use their unique skills and talents to help their local community:

Cheyanne (UM-Western) - Cheyanne has been serving with the Barrett Hospital & Health Care Diabetes Prevention Program to help fight the presence of this devastating epidemic in her local Dillon community. Cheyanne has developed her own fitness class geared towards those who are at a high risk for developing diabetes that is aimed towards motivating them to be active and be healthy.

Michael (Stone Child College): Through anti-povery non-profit Opportunity Link, Michael has spearheaded several initiatives to improve financial literacy on the Rocky Boy Reservation. From completing a number of financial literacy presentations to local high school students to serving with VITA to assist in tax preparation efforts, it is evident that Michael has made a significant impact upon his community.

Shanna (UM) - This past fall, Shanna worked with the local NPR affiliate to help produce a woman's radio program. For the spring semester, she switched things up and is now volunteering at the UM radio station, 89.9 KBGA Missoula. 

Grace (MSU-Northern): Grace volunteers for the Natural Resources Conservation Service which focuses on assisting producers in implementing environmentally friendly practices such as efficient grazing plans, water conservation strategies, and wildlife preservation plans. Additionally, she volunteers for the VITA program which kept her busy during tax season, providing free tax assistance services to local community members.

Alex (MSU-Bozeman) - Alex brings her upbeat and fun personality to brighten the lives of some of the disabled children living in her local community. Specifically, she serves with the Eagle Mount organization, and specifically is a part of its ice skating program, which thanks to the help of its volunteers allows children with disabilities the unique opportunity to get out on the ice rink each week! During the winter months, she also volunteers with their skiing program where she uses her snowboarding expertise to assist a disabled individual safely down the slopes each week.

Hazel (MSU-Billings) - Hazel volunteers at Eagle Mount and specifically works with their arts and crafts program. Hazel also spent time this past fall volunteering at the Yellowstone Art Museum, serving at their special events and welcoming and guiding visitors to the museum. hazel certainly keeps herself busy serving as she has just taken on a third direct service opportunity with Venture Theater, where she will be volunteering at their summer theater program for young children.

Katie (Fort Peck Community College) -Katie spends many of her afternoons volunteering her time with the after school tutoring program for the Poplar Public schools. When the school year comes to an end, she will transition to serving at their summer camp program. Additionally, Katie is involved with Reading for Babies program at the Fort Peck library. 

Sean (Montana Tech) - Sean volunteers at the Butte Public Library where he serves at an after school tutoring program open to all local elementary and middle school students.

Jacob ( Dawson Community College) - Jacob volunteers his time working as a cashier at the Farm to Table store in Glendive, which was created as part of the VISTA project that MTCC sponsors in the area. The store has built a partnership between local community members and farmers in the region by providing farmers with a venue to sell their products locally.  This winter, Jacob also volunteered at WATCH East, where he taught a Community Service class for those enrolled in the DUI program. He also spends time serving as a cashier at the Farm to Table Store to support the host organization, the Prairie Development Center.

Ali Graham (Aaniiih Nakoda College) - Ali is a member of the VITA team, providing tax services and assistance to her local community free of charge. Furthermore, Ali additionally volunteers at USDA, supporting local farming initiatives in the Fort Belknap community.

T.C. (MSU-Great Falls) - T.C. builds the capacity of the Heisey Youth Center, a community center dedicated to providing recreational opportunities for youth and adults of Cascade County, by serving as the volunteer coordinator for a number of programs. Additionally, he coaches one of the youth basketball teams.

Jill (Rocky Mountain College) - Jill fills her time volunteering for the American Red Cross of Montana. Utilizing her expertise in disaster relief services, Jill contributes to the organization in a variety of ways.