April 23, 2008
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Sunday morning as Ketchikan was saying good-bye to hundreds of youth participants in the Music Fest, the Matanuska brought 13 young adults to town to work with Ketchikan Youth Initiatives on youth projects such as the redevelopment of the Old Water Warehouse into a Youth Community Center. They were greeted by sunny weather and a warm fellowship of local youth and adults at a potluck hosted by Boys and Girls Club.

Ketchikan Youth Initiatives is working with the City of Ketchikan on a plan to redevelop the 100 year Old Water Warehouse building on Park Avenue into a youth directed and adult mentored community center. The most significant challenge for this project-other than adults remembering to let youth take the lead, and youth remembering we are supporting them in doing so-is to repair a building foundation in much need of new footings and pilings. That is where this energetic NCCC work team comes in. They will be working under a local contractor to do the grunt workdigging out debris under the building and providing the labor for the foundation repair.

While awaiting permits the NCCC team will work with KYI leaders to complete the renovation of the office trailer that was donated to the Hot Shots Paintball League last summer. Bobbie McCreary, Executive Director of KYI said, "[The] Rasmuson Foundation funded the materials, and a partnership with other agencies in town provided the labor for the first level of renovation. McCreary said, "Now, as soon as the snow lets us out there, the project can be completed with generator, wood stove, water catchment system, new flooring, compost toilet and completed windows. If you see workers out at the park on Revilla Road, please stop by to say hello and welcome these incredible young adults."

"Last, but certainly not least, they will work with the Boys and Girls Club to perform repairs and upgrades as the Club continues to improve the facilities it provides for local kids and teens," said McCreary.

McCreary said, "We especially want to thank the Boys and Girls Club, Parks and Rec and Clover Pass Church for accommodating the Gold 3 team." She said the team will be staying in the basement of the Boys and Girls Club, sleeping on foam mattresses supplied by the church and showering at Mike Smithers pool.

"When you see a fresh new face around town, maybe wearing a shirt or jacket with the AmeriCorps logo (a circle with a big A in the middle), please stop to tell them how much we appreciate their support. Welcome Gold 3 team!," said McCreary.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is part of AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs created to improve the environment, education, increase public safety, and assist with disaster relief and other unmet human needs. The Western Region campus, located in Sacramento, serves Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the territories of Guam and Samoa, and the Gulf Coast region. The Western Region campus is one of three campuses in the United States; the others are located in Perry Point, Md. and Denver, Colo.

NCCC members, 18-24, must complete at least 1700 hours of service during the 10-month program. In exchange for their service, they receive $4,725 to help pay for college or to pay school loans. Other benefits include leadership development, team building skills, increased self-confidence and the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a real difference in communities across the country. AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. For information about applying to an AmeriCorps program, call 1-800-942-2677 (1-800-94-ACORP) or visit the website at www.americorps.gov.

Source of News & Photographs:

Ketchikan Youth Initiatives

 

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