For several seasons now, Westwind has worked with AmeriCorps to provide community service opportunities to young people. AmeriCorps is a federal agency aimed at providing service-based opportunities and helping aid local communities. Their mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering (AmeriCorps Website). Westwind hosts AmeriCorps volunteers to help our site team with service-based site projects.
What are they doing?
AmeriCorps volunteers work with Brian, Abe, and Missy on a wide variety of projects around Westwind. This current group of volunteers is working to clear trails south and east of the main camp. Clearing trails continues to provide more accessible access to the Westwind site. Additionally, clearly defined trails limit disruption to the surrounding ecosystem and help prevent lost hikers.
Last fall, AmeriCorps volunteers helped clear underbrush and fallen debris in the forest beyond the challenge course. It was several days of lifting debris and sap-cover clothes, but our incredible volunteers were up to the task. While helping clear debris, these volunteers learned to use power equipment from seasoned experts. This project improved Westwind’s fire safety and provided better access to our septic field for maintenance.
Their help is indispensable to our site team. With the help of AmeriCorps volunteers, we can tackle projects that would take our site team weeks in a matter of days.
Aligning with the Westwind Values
Not only does AmeriCorps help Westwind run more smoothly, but their work also aligns closely with the Westwind Values.
Through hands-on work, AmeriCorps volunteers learn engagement with their community. Through their work, volunteers take initiative and communicate as a team to solve problems. While moving through the forest, they learn valuable leadership skills and take ownership of their work and community.
Additionally, this work teaches resilience. AmeriCorps volunteers are asked daily to step out of their comfort zones and work hard to accomplish the task at hand. Through facing challenges, participants grow and develop new skills.
And this work teaches interdependence. Using small, community-based projects, connected by a larger network of volunteers shows how locally-based efforts can have nationwide impacts. We are at our best when we are connected to our local communities and understand how our actions are reflected in the larger ecosystem.
Through AmeriCorps, many young people engage with local communities and provide hands-on service. They learn to take care of themselves while giving back to the people around them. Westwind is grateful for all of their hard work and engagement.