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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F (3) FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Americorps Series/Staff Member: General Files Subseries: OA/ID Number: 24232 FolderID: Folder Title: AmeriCorps - Accomplishments Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 66 1 2 3 AmeriCorps members have participated in many Jefferson and Clallam County projects. Here members are re-roofing the Chimacum Community Center picnic shelter. Creating barrier free trails to meet the American Disabilities Act was part of the Gibbs Lake maintenance project for Jefferson County Parks and Recreation. Native plants are necessary for erosion control, wildlife browsing, and to provide shade and shelter in streambanks. Native plants were salvaged at the Kai Tai Lagoon, a Jefferson County Park. Fences along critical bluffs have been constructed as an erosion control method. This 1200 foot fence was built in the Dungeness Campground, a Clallam County Park. AmeriCorps members will maintain and open 80% of the trails in the Olympic National Forest this year. Members reconstruct a loop trail at Falls View Campground on the Quilcene Ranger District. There is a back log of trail maintenance needs in the Olympic National Forest. Turnpikes and water bars prevent erosion and allow recreationists to enjoy the outdoors with little environmental impact. Members place root wads in Gamm Creek overwintering ponds, Quilcene Ranger District, Olympic National Forest. Root wads provide hiding cover for young Chinook and Coho salmon fry. Campground maintenance and preparation is necessary before peak camping season begins. Here Members set in durable concrete picnic tables at Hamma Hamma Campground, Hood Canal Ranger District, Olympic National Forest. Interpretive trails are constructed near popular campgrounds to educate campers about watersheds, wildlife, and ecosystem dynamics. Members construct kiosk (information boards) at Seal Rock Campground, Quilcene Ranger District, Olympic National Forest. Due to the loss of nesting sites through past logging practices, Kestrel nesting boxes are installed on the Quinault Ranger District, Olympic National Forest. Each box must be at least 20 feet above the ground. 200 bird and bat boxes have been installed. Selective pruning helps ensure high quality, knot free lumber for timber harvesting. Members hike up steep terrain to prune young Douglas Fir on the Hood Canal Ranger District, Olympic National Forest. Clinton Presidential Records Digital Records Marker This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately scan such dividers. The title from the original document is indicated below. Olympic National Forest Divider Title: SERICORPS A MERICORP NATIONAL SERVICE A Olympic National Forest AmeriCorps MEMBER SERVICE Primary Accomplishments this Quarter: it is important to know before reading of the many good things that AmeriCorps Members are "getting done* that this work is work while high priority for the Forest Service and local County governments, is work that was not funded. If it were not for AmeriCorps this work would not get done at all. Thanks AmeriCorps! Our primary focus this quarter has been on lower elevation recreation projects for both Clallam and Jefferson County Parks and Recreation. The projects being completed for Jefferson and Clallam Counties are being funded through President Clinton's Economic Adjustment Act. For Jefferson County, the local State government, 2.2 miles of trail have been constructed at Gibbs Lake. This included 500 feet of turnpike. Four vault toilets which meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards have been constructed and installed in County parks. Tnis provides access to many people who would not have been able to use these sites in the past. For Clallam County, Dungeness Park and Salt Creek Campgrounds have been renovated. This included the installation of 2000 feet of new wooden fencing, and renovation of the campsites. Sites have been leveled, picnic tables and fire rings repaired or replaced and barrier logs replaced. This is the first major renovation effort in these campgrounds and will insure the availability of quality campsites for many years into the future. In addition, Camp David Jr. has been renovated. This historic County Park has had much needed building maintenance and painting completed. On the Olympic National Forest Members have completed trail maintenance on each of the four Districts. Trails are being cleared, drainage problems corrected and turnpike constructed. 16.5 miles of trail were cleared of fallen trees, 500 feet of tumpike installed and 10 miles of trail have been maintained to Forest Service standard. Two National Forest campgrounds have been improved to meet ADA standards with the installation of new fire places, adjustment of concrete picnic table positions and leveling of campsites. This is a major focus for the Olympic National Forest AmeriCorps program for 1995. Members have pruned 20 acres of mixed conifer timber stands to improve the quality of future timber stands in support of ecosystem management. Members have installed 200 bird (Kestrel) nesting boxes on the Quinault Ranger District. Each box must be at least 20 feet above the ground. Members, using climbing gear climbed each tree and successfully installed the boxes. This was a great effort in safe work practices and team building. Opportunities for individual or small group projects were offered beginning this quarter. This program allows Members to sharpen their skills and follow their interests, while the Forest Service has been able to accomplish mush needed tasks that are not suitable for an entire crew. An interpretive project was completed on one District; one Member is involved as the writer/editor of a watershed analysis process; three Members have scouted trails developing plans for maintenance. This is a very successful part of the Fort Worden program. Unique successes or "great stories": Our greatest success is in the lives of Members. We began this program with a curious collection of very diverse individuals. Our program is a residential camp with a facility that is somewhat small for the number of Members who live there. As we have lived, worked and played together over the past five month we see the development of leaders, the development of the group into a "team" and the development and use of some great conflict resolution skills. All this coupled with the work skills and work ethic is making major changes in the lives of the Members. Members are now taking on more and more responsibility for the success not only of the program but their community. It is a great joy to see this development in the Members. The Olympic National Forest Fort Worden program have had many successes and great stories this quarter. This region has been hit by at least 3 separate major storm this quarter and AmeriCorps Members and Staff have responded by being fiexible in their work locations and types of work to continue through it all and still keep the amazing pace of work. *Great story: One crew of Members moved two 20 inch diameter by 60 feet long logs by hand down a steep mountain hiking trai! on the Quilcene Ranger District. These logs were used as log stringers for a bridge the crew was constructing. To safely move these logs was teamwork at its best. *Great story: One crew of Members spent part of one week climbing trees on the Quinault Ranger District with climbing spurs to hang bird boxes. 169 separate trees were climbed with no accidents or injuries. Each tree was climbed at least 20 feet then the nest box was attached to the tree. This was a great exercise in teamwork and trust. *Great story: The rehabilitation of Browns Creek Campground after severe flood damage. A popular camping area on the Hood Canal Ranger District, it is now ready to operate. In January of this year, flooding destroyed part of the campground. The campground is normally open for use year around and is a popular destination for campers. In an emergency schedule change, AmeriCorps crews totally rehabilitated the campground and reopened it for public use. *Great story: Jefferson County had been planning for weeks to have an AmeriCorps crew do work on Memorial Field in downtown Port Townsend. Projects were lined up to keep the entire crew busy for weeks. Crew members completed a weeks worth of tasks in just three days. Tim Black, Jefferson County Assistant Recreation Director reported in the Port Townsend Leader newspaper They work so fast, it's incredible. They work really hard. I'm impressed. *Unique Success The Whidbey Island Independent newspaper sent a photographer to take photographs and write a story on AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps crews have not worked on Whidbey Island but stories of their great success had reached key staff from the newspaper. (1) Direct Service Objectives: AmeriCorps Members have moved a long way toward accomplishing our Direct Service Objectives and have in fact exceeded planned targets in some areas. It is estimated that one third of all planned objectives for the Olympic National Forest have been met. This has been done while Members have snowed out of Forest Service managed lands for much of the winter. Objective: Accomplished this quarter Wilderness Rehab 0 Trail Construction 2.2 miles Interp signing 8 signs Trail Mtc 6 miles Trail Bridge Const 0 bridges Rehab campground 10 sites ADA campsite rehab 14 sites Rehab campsites 10 sites Historical site Rehab 2 sites TES Habitat Mtc 200 boxes T&E Habitat Survey 0 acres T&E Species surveys 0 acres Install Fences 2325 feet Fence removal 300 feet Stream structures 0 structures Watershed imp 0 miles Pruning 10 acres Seed Orchard mtc 0 acres Tree planting 0 acres Non native plant removal 0 acres It is interesting to note that AmeriCorps work is being accomplished is a VERY cost effective manor. A recent contract for trail maintenance on the Quinault Loop Trail (Quinauit Ranger District) was awarded to the low bidder for clearing and grubbing (heavy maintenance) at $1.84 per lineal foot or $9,715 per mile. AmeriCorps crews completed heavy maintenance on the Lower Big Quilcene trail (Quilcene Ranger District) at a cost of $1,333 per mile. This is a savings of $8,382. per mile. At a time when trail maintenance budgets have been greatly reduced this is a tremendous help. If it were not for the AmeriCorps crews, many of the trails on the Forest would not be opsned for public use this year. (2) AmeriCorps Member Development Objectives: While much of the development we see in Members is not recorded in the sessions they attend or in the number of class room hours but in the personal growth that comes from learning leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution skills and practicing them in our daily jobs as we learn work skills and ethic. As the community of AmeriCorps comes together to resolve issues is where we see the real development. These Members have come a long way in 5 months toward becoming the kind of people I want to see leading our country into the future! In addition all Members attended the AmeriCan Red Cross disaster training and have helped save a number of homes from flooding in the recent flooding in the Quilcene WA area. All Members successfully completed Fireman training and are now qualified to assist in wildfire suppression efforts if called upen. Members are given quarterly evaluations and conferences on development. This helps the Member understand where he/she is doing quality performance and where they can work for improvement as they strive to improve themselves and the community they live in. 10 crew members successfully completed chainsaw training and are qualified to operate chainsaws. (3) Community Building/Strengthening Objectives: When I think of community I think of two separate communities. One is the community or town we work in and the other is the community we live in in the case of our residential program the Fort Worden headquarters. Much of the projects we have been working on this quarter is within the communities of Port Townsend and Port Angeles. These projects are high priority projects identified by the community and prioritized by the County Commissioners. These projects have been funded through a Forest Service Rural Community Assistance Grant under President Clinton's Economic Adjustment Act. These projects would not have been funded or accomplished were it not for this funding. These projects have been high profile and have been very well received by the community. This is evidenced by the support in the Iccal newspapers. There have been several articles in the Port Townsend Leader, Port Angeles Peninsula Daily News and the Whidbey Island Independent. As we continue to accomplish projects that directly support the communities we live in support for AmeriCorps grows stronger each day. On one project 4 members of the local Native Plant Society worked side by side with Members to accomplish a project. This shows community building at its finest! Members in their home environment have continued the development of planning teams and weekend recreational activities to grow closer together as a community. This coupled with a Washington State University Extension Ropes Challenge Course have greatly strengthened this community. All these coupled together are helping to strengthen individuals and the community. Clinton Presidential Records Digital Records Marker This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately scan such dividers. The title from the original document is indicated below. Washington State AmeriCorps Divider Title: The First 100 Days of AmeriCorps in Washington State September - December 1994 * AND NI RICORP Summaries of Accomplishments from Programs funded by Washington Commission for National and Community Service MERICORP M A In the first 100 days TIONAL SERRICE Washington AmeriCorps Twelve soccer teams consisting of 140 youth and 20 adult volunteers Projects Administered by participated in the fall soccer league. the Washington Service We have 96 youth and 15 adult Corps volunteers participating in our winter basketball league that started in December. Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition Community Needs Assessed Potential Realized We developed a survey instrument and conducted a Needs Survey in A second grade student could not southeast and north central Yakima read or sound out words such as "cat" communities from September to or "hat". For several weeks, an November, 1994. Ten percent of both AmeriCorps AmeriCorps team member gave this neighborhood adult residents were student daily one-on-one tutoring in sampled. As a result, several activities reading, reading comprehension, math were added to existing after-school and spelling. As a result of this tutoring, the student's academic and programs. behavioral outlook improved so Eight hundred residents dramatically that the teacher reversed overwhelmingly confirmed the need for the decision to place the student in a more positive youth programs. The Special Education program. sampling also confirmed citizens fear youth crimes in their neighborhoods are No More Home Alone on the rise. The information was shared with the Yakima Police Two new after-school program activity Department. centers were opened and are used daily by approximately 70 students. Because of the enthusiasm and involvement of Colville Confederated Tribes the kids, parents are volunteering to conduct special activities for kids. Elderly Assisted On the Colville Indian Reservation Off the Street and On the Team AmeriCorps members assisted 31 The Eastside Youth Athletic elderly and homebound individuals with League for low-income youth was light housework, residence developed and now 236 youth who weatherproofing and shopping. Wood otherwise would not have had the was chopped and stacked for 40 elderly opportunity to play competitive league and disabled residents. sports have learned soccer and will As a result of this activity, ten learn new organized basketball skills. percent of the elderly or homebound Thirty five adults volunteered to residents are showing increases in daily become coach/mentors and role models activities and self-sufficiency. As one for these disadvantaged youth. example, two people are eating meals at the senior meal site instead of receiving 1 NATIONALS If ERICOR A PREMIUE In the first 100 days them at home. The residents are better Christmas Party for Needy prepared to provide heat for their Children homes. AmeriCorps member Shomari Shanks organized a Christmas party for the children of the Rainier Vista and Employment Opportunities Holly Park Housing communities. The Center young people of the housing facilities were able to earn credits for community English as a Second Language service work they had performed during the year and use those credits to AmeriCorps team members are purchase gifts for themselves and their working with over 200 clients in the families. Shomari helped to organize learning centers and English as a the collection of donations. Other team Second Language classes. An average members assisted the young people AmeriCorps of 90 hours per week of direct client with their shopping. contact is provided in group and individual sessions. Washington AmeriCorps Trail Dash Point State Park is this Blankets for the Homeless AmeriCorps team's ongoing Thoa Dang, AmeriCorps team environmental service project. member, saw a need for blankets for the Members are working cooperatively homeless on the Eastside/Bellevue area with park personnel and community and, through flyers that she developed volunteers to widen and restore 1.8 and personal contacts, collected the miles of a trail that will be used for needed blankets. The donated blankets interpretative walks. were delivered to KIRO Radio on their Blanket the Homeless day on January So far, the project is 50% complete 26, 1995. and members have removed stumps and dead trees and filled deep erosion Lunar New Year Celebration pockets with over six yards of gravel. When this project is complete, park Another AmeriCorps team personnel will officially name the trail member, Thuyet Tran, and Thoa saw a "Washington AmeriCorps Trail." need for a Lunar New Year celebration for the Vietnamese community in the Eastside/Bellevue area. They are SeaMar Health Clinic working with the shopping center management at the Crossroads Mall who donated space and the Vietnamese Food and Clothing for the Needy Eagle Scouts to organize the AmeriCorps members conducted a celebration on January 29, 1995. bread and pastry outreach program to gather food for the local food bank. Because of their efforts, Fred Meyer Grocery donated cakes, pies, fruits, vegetables, and bread. Gais Bakery 2 In the first 100 days IONAL PERMICE made a commitment for 100 loaves of efficiently and working on the bread each month. playgrounds at two Yakima schools. Members delivered 50 food boxes On his playground duty he is also each month to the homeless. supporting student skill building with the use of his conflict management Thanks to the efforts of skills. AmeriCorps members, Olympic Fisheries of LaConner donated 2,500 His daughter is a student at McClure Elementary, where she takes pounds of sockeye salmon to the pride in observing her father's homeless. contributions. His pride in AmeriCorps Outreach efforts by team members is strong and he has stated that he is provided clothing such as sweatshirts, trying to "prove the system wrong." jeans, socks and jackets for 50 families. AmeriCorps members provided Parents Unite to Help Each Other AmeriCorps 100 families with food boxes at The rate of teen parents in the Thanksgiving. They also organized a Yakima valley is rising. The BRAVO homeless Christmas party and delivered program was developed to provide free 400 gifts to children. childcare for teenage parents who are trying to complete their GED. Teen Outreach Unfortunately, the funding for this AmeriCorps members recruited 30 program was lost but AmeriCorps at-risk Hispanic youth and provided members came to the rescue and have information regarding drug and alcohol continued the program with volunteer abuse. They also made referrals for hours. Team members have been teens to the medical clinic. trained for childcare provision and are on call as substitutes. AmeriCorps members assisted with the Saturday late night gym activities. These AmeriCorps team members are also parents and provide high Team members have volunteered quality childcare. more than 200 hours of community service and have been positive role models to the Hispanic community of AmeriCorps in the Classroom Mt. Vernon. AmeriCorps members have provided 2,577 hours of teaching assistance in 172 classrooms. Yakima School District Members have assisted the nursing Daughter is Proud of her Dad team in screening the hearing and vision of the students in 17 schools. As a One of our AmeriCorps team result, 68 percent of the schools and members is a physically challenged over 80 percent of the vision and parent in our Yakima School District. From his crutches or wheelchair, he is hearing screenings are completed. found tutoring elementary students in Tutoring has been provided to 192 reading groups, assisting teachers with students by AmeriCorps members. duties that keep the classroom running 3 M ERICOR A In the first 100 days programs: open gym at Snohomish High School and recess activities at Yakima Valley Opportunities Central Primary Center. Industrialization Center Over six sessions of open gym have been attended by 236 students. In Food and Clothing for Needy many cases, the positive member- One hundred and twenty coats student relationships established at were provided for needy children. A open gym events have been carried food drive resulted in 700 pounds of over into the school environment. food for a local food bank. Thanksgiving food baskets were Programs Rescued by given to ten families in each of five AmeriCorps Members communities for a total of fifty baskets. Five programs already in existence AmeriCorps would have been cut without the help Gang Awareness Video of AmeriCorps members. These Production activities include intramural sports, AmeriCorps members assisted in Drug Awareness Week, Natural the production of videos documenting Helpers and ASB projects. the visit of James Edward Olmos, well- known anti-violence activist, to the Yakima area. The videos focused on Campus Compact gang awareness and substance abuse intervention. Twelve Hundred Students Team members also accompanied Helped by Positive Service- Mr. Olmos on his visits to schools and Learning Activities functions in the area. Team members gave presentations to orient administrative staff and perform in-service training for teachers in service-learning pedagogues. Snohomish School District Informal survey results show an increase in the number of teachers and Tutoring 80 Students and students involved in positive service- Mentoring 32 Others learning experiences. Three members AmeriCorps members are currently are involved with developing and tutoring 80 students in grades K-12 in a implementing three innovative variety of subjects. Team members are programs. also mentoring 32 other students in the Snohomish District. AmeriCorps has 52 Kindergarten through grade 12 staff and teachers Open Gym Program Reaches 236 involved in service-learning programs in Students the following cities: Bellingham (30), AmeriCorps team members Spokane (4), Walla Walla (5) and developed and implemented two new Centralia (13). 4 AMERICORP TIONAL SE STATES In the first 100 days Turkey Dinner Served Martin Luther King Housing AmeriCorps prepared and served a Development Association Thanksgiving Day meal for over 200 needy students. Low Income Teen Housing Project AmeriCorps members performed Tacoma Community House site preparation on a 17-unit apartment building intended to provide transitional Fear of Math Conquered housing for low-income teen parents. The first task of the AmeriCorps The project rehabilitation was originally tutor was to convince the two women estimated at $505,000 and the property that math was not too hard for them to is nearly 100 years old. Great success learn and they could like it. was achieved by members in AmeriCorps completing the site preparation, a After just three months, the women formidable and dirty task, but essential now understand math as a concept to the construction process. rather than many separate operations. They have mastered division and are Contractors bidding for the project now working on decimals, fractions, reacted with a conservative approach to and percentages. rehabilitate assuming maximum hidden defects in the property which escalated An AmeriCorps tutor states that rehabilitation costs. when she writes a problem on the board and they answer it right away, she can The project was in jeopardy of see the understanding on their faces. being scrapped when the construction "This is my greatest reward as a manager requested participation by teacher: to be able to see the results of AmeriCorps members in site what I have helped my students to preparation to reveal any additional accomplish in just three months." hidden defects or absence of them to permit contractors a more accurate view of the structural condition of the The Numbers Tell it All buildings. AmeriCorps members are tutoring 73 adults. Thirty eight tutor/student With tight funding deadlines and matches were made by members. opportunities about to slip away, AmeriCorps entered the breach and More than 331 hours of assistance performed demolition and clean-up was provided in classes and 19 students activities sufficient to permit the Martin received additional language skills Luther King Housing Development through the program Talk Time that Association to restructure the project, was initiated by AmeriCorps members. manage the construction in-house, and trim more than $160,000 from the minimum bid. The project will be rehabilitated at prevailing wage levels with increased support by state and city agencies due 5 NATIONALS * NA ERICORP A In the first 100 days to this effective restructuring. This was progressing at a faster rate than before all make possible by AmeriCorps AmeriCorps intervention. members' participation. After School Enrichment Neighborhood Cleaned Up AmeriCorps members provide AmeriCorps members, in instructional assistance for the school partnership with Tacoma Hilltop Action district's after school enrichment Coalition, completed a 114-block program. Nine weeks of instructional neighborhood clean up. assistance was provided to 175 students, as compared to 40 students the same time last year, in the areas of Art, Spanish, science, aerobics, drama, SBCTC/BASIC and great books. AmeriCorps Two Hundred Ninety-One and Members also assist in overseeing Still Teaching children before and after program activities to ensure their safety. The AmeriCorps team members have student to teacher ratio in the after provided basic literacy skills instruction to 106 adult learners. The team has school program was lowered from 20:1 to 10:1 as a result of AmeriCorps' tested 50 English as a Second assistance. Language adult learners, recruited 12 volunteer tutors, trained 12 volunteer tutors, assessed 50 adult learners and Hispanic Population Needs matched 24 tutors and learners. Addressed In addition, the team assisted 10 AmeriCorps members established a students to register for continuing strong affiliation with local Adult education and helped 55 students with Education programs in order to meet goal setting activities and prioritization the adult literacy needs of the Hispanic activities. population. An English as a Second Language course is regularly attended by 25-30 people and an Adult Basic Education class is attend by 15-20 Lake Chelan School District people. #129 The student to teacher ratio in the Remedial Students Assisted English as a Second Language class has dropped from 30:1 to 10:1 with AmeriCorps members worked daily AmeriCorps' assistance. with 101 students on an individual basis and 56 small groups of students Special Assistance for Special- identified by teachers as needing Needs Children assistance in remediation activities, preschool through high school. An AmeriCorps team member works daily one-on-one with two Teachers have reported that special children, one with severe students tutored by team members are behavioral problems and the other, a 6 IMERICORP All JONAL A OR PERVICE In the first 100 days "drug baby," with serious visual/motor The AmeriCorps team has integration problems. completed the foundation, walls, and Through a very time-intensive underground plumbing. The trusses are process, this member has helped the up, the roof is on and they are one first child make tremendous gains in the quarter complete on the siding and the areas of confidence and learning windows are in place. appropriate forms of behavior. The second child can now write Ferry County Community her name independently. The teacher Services for these children could not have provided this one-on-one care. Assisting at Murder Scene Trained AmeriCorps assisted the AmeriCorps City of Hoquiam Ferry County Sheriff's Office in a search for evidence at a murder scene AmeriCorps Kids' Connection because not enough officers were available. AmeriCorps provides four of the six member staff for Kids' Connection. The need in our community for a "latch People Helping People key" program became apparent during Five victims of crime were our summer programs. We saw the empowered to get on with their lives number of free lunches grow from an thanks to AmeriCorps help. average of 100 to an average of 229 Four people from the homeless daily. shelter were able to move to permanent AmeriCorps members saw many residences. kids on their own during the day and AmeriCorps transported 140 knew they would be alone after school clients, who had no available and during school breaks. transportation, to medical The Kids' Connection is successful appointments. because AmeriCorps members make it Wood was cut, split and stacked happen and our community cares about for elderly community residents. our kids. Community Park Rehabilitated Farmers' Market in the Works AmeriCorps members reclaimed AmeriCorps members began trails and cleared trash from the Perry construction of a 3,024 square foot Wilderness Park. A Native American building with a 12' X 84' overhang for interpretive center was completed and use by the Grays Harbor Farmers' members are developing a mining Market Association. It is located on exhibit. Riverside Avenue next to the Hoquiam River. 7 NATIONAL IMERICORP In the first 100 days Students and Parents Benefiting cleared a major slide from the Fletcher A safe after-school program was Canyon Trail. Now the public is able to developed for five county schools that use this area again. benefits 260 students. Parents are excited and have been Forest Restoration volunteering to assist in the after school AmeriCorps members planted programs. The children have 6,125 trees, seeded 15,112 square feet, demonstrated a marked improvement in and constructed 24,832 linear feet of academics. trails. Wildlife Areas Improved for the Washington Conservation Department of Fish and Wildlife Corps Projects Hundreds of pounds of garbage AmeriCorps Administered by the were picked up and removed from wildlife areas and fishing access area Department of Ecology sites. Wildfire Brought Under Control One hundred department signs were installed in wildlife areas and AmeriCorps team members put in access area sites. 2,160 hours helping contain one of the largest wildfires in the history of Five miles of fence was repaired Washington State. and five closure gates were installed on Department access areas. Bambi Saved One thousand trees were planted AmeriCorps members working in on department upland restoration areas. the Entiat region of eastern Washington were found to be even more valuable Impressive Statistics after the fire. The area burned This AmeriCorps team constructed supported over 5,000 mule deer. These or rehabilitated 17,600 linear feet of animals would have starved to death trails and 8 campsites, removed 10 this winter if not fed by this crew who, cubic yards of debris, seeded 2,000 on average, deliver 9,000 pounds of square feet of land and responded to 48 alfalfa pellets to these animals every emergencies. day. Significant media coverage documented the hard work and dedication of this AmeriCorps team in A Part of History alleviating the potentially high mortality The AmeriCorps crew rate of deer in this mountainous reconstructed a historical corral in the location. Hoh Rain Forest at the Olympic National Park. The corral has been in Slide Blasted place for over 50 years and this park has the highest visitation of any site in Using dynamite as well as sweat the park. labor, AmeriCorps crew members 8 MERICORP TIONAL A In the first 100 days The crew used old fashioned tools AmeriCorps Team Stranded by to split rails from a cedar that blew over Flooding in the area. The crew stated that this Working in the Olympic National project made them feel part of the Forest in a residential camp, this crew history of the Olympic National Park. was recently cut off from home as flood waters rose on the Skokomish River, Access Improved trapping the crew in the forest for two AmeriCorps members worked to days. Massive damage of roads were make park facilities in the Wind River prevented when crew members used Ranger District more accessible to their time productively unclogging persons with disabilities to ensure culverts in the forest. everyone will have an equal opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this area. One Hundred Thousand Trees Planted AmeriCorps Other accomplishments included planting 1,150 willow, rehabilitating 7 AmeriCorps team members planted campsites, installing 4,150 linear feet of over 100,000 trees 88,445 willow fencing, constructing 1,600 linear feet and 28,500 Douglas fir. of trails, and seeding 18,000 square feet They also laid 109,600 linear feet of land. of bio-engineered brush matting and removed 17 stream barriers. Saving the Salmon with Helicopters Displaced Timber Workers are The population of salmon in Proud of Accomplishments Washington State is diminishing and The main focus of this crew is one of the important tasks of this watershed restoration. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps team is to protect the participants have been doing major habitat needed for the future of our terracing of huge slides. salmon. The primary focus is to improve water quality, fish habitat, and This AmeriCorps crew is prevent damages from floods. comprised of displaced timber workers, as is the crew supervisor. They state One of the most interesting that they are proud of the work they are projects this crew participated in was doing to help heal the watersheds near Enumclaw. The project was damaged by past logging practices. designed to place log structures in a stream to reduce bank erosion and One Hundred Twenty Eight create habitat for fish, mainly salmon. Campsites Rehabilitated The logs were brought in using helicopters "very exciting and This AmeriCorps team not only dangerous" and carefully put into place rehabilitated 128 campsites, they also by this team. put down 282,000 square feed of bio- engineered matting, planted 7,800 willow trees, constructed 198.5 erosion 9 NATI STATE SERVICE A M CRICOPS In the first 100 days structures, and constructed 33,620 vision of the outcome of participation linear feet of trails. in the AmeriCorps program to our wonderfully unique Peer Assistants. Erosion Control Saves Stream For most, it was their first Working on state forest lands to experience in community service. They restore a natural preserve to its natural were amazed by the powerful and state after heavy equipment was used to positive effect these few hours had on put out a wildfire, crews used erosion them and genuinely look forward to this control methods to keep soils out of season of community service and nearby stream and meadow. growth ahead of them. The AmeriCorps team also removed non-native species of plants $20,000 Support Money Donated that were invading an area with the The Neutral Zone successfully AmeriCorps largest concentration of Indian operates an after school and late night Paintbrush in the United States. program designed to keep teens off the streets and out of trouble. Gang affiliation is forgotten at the door and Washington AmeriCorps the program has successfully reduced Projects Administered by crime in the area. The Neutral Zone Because of their success story, ARCO AM/PM and Safeco Insurance Seniors Boogie with Teens Company joined in partnership with Envision a 250-pound, long haired Neutral Zone AmeriCorps providing "street kid" (named Road Kill) dancing grants of $10,000 each in support of cheek-to-cheek with a frail 88-year old this program. lady in a flowered hat and crocheted shawl. Picture a young man with a significant history of gang affiliation Washington AmeriCorps singing duets at the piano with a sweet gentleman in his late 80's sporting a Projects Administered by bright red bow tie. Spokane Service Team Smiles, laughter and deep conversations over bingo, crafts and AmeriCorps Lend a Hand cookies was shared between senior AmeriCorps members distributed citizens and eight high risk young adults 2,081 baskets of food for Thanksgiving at an AmeriCorps sponsored Christmas meals for 6,065 low-income residents in party. Spokane county. Fears disappeared, prejudices and The Spokane Food Bank is now judgmentalism were forgotten. It cleaned and organized and the food is brought a few hours of friendship and sorted thanks to AmeriCorps members. enjoyment to residents of three local The Domestic Violence Program at retirement and rehabilitation centers as the YWCA now has a clothing bank well as self esteem and a promising built by AmeriCorps members. They 10 A In the first 100 days IONAL'S SERRICE also installed the doors and painted the Home visits were made to 20 walls. seniors and team members interviewed and completed applications for 15 new No More Leaks in the Roof clients. AmeriCorps members re-roofed a A major project included the two-story home that houses four development and distribution of more developmentally disabled residents. than 500 Senior Companion Program The property is owned and managed by evaluations. Inland Empire Residential Resources Holiday crafts were created for specifically for developmentally over 300 homebound senior citizens. disabled people. One especially committed Low-Income Housing Units AmeriCorps member recruited ten volunteers as part of a plan to develop a AmeriCorps Upgraded Senior Friendship Program designed to AmeriCorps members worked on serve those seniors who are waiting to rehabilitating four low-income housing receive support from a long-term units. Work included the installation of Senior Companion. cabinets, counter top and back splash tile on a much-needed kitchen improvement. School Success AmeriCorps provided 300 hours of Dilapidated Garages Repaired classroom support to 60 children. Two garages owned and managed After school tutoring was provided by the Spokane Neighborhood Action for 160 children. Program Homeless (SNAP) project Thirty elementary school children were rebuilt with new walls and trusses were trained as conflict managers. and reroofed. Their new skills will positively impact The team also restructured the the entire student population of 597. trusses of an adjoining housing unit Initiated a new, alternative recess owned by SNAP. called "Special Friends" that targets children in need of anger management training. Seventeen children were Washington AmeriCorps served in just one month. Projects Administered by After School Success for 2,685 Regional Youth Service Children Corps In HomeCourt, 2,685 children have participated in this after school Seniors Assisted program operated by our Youth AmeriCorps members picked up Service Corps members. Many of these and delivered food to 510 clients in the kids have no safe place to be after Senior Companion Program. school. Some would probably get 11 Ail A In the first 100 days involved in gangs if they were not A drug-free all-school dance was provided a positive alternative. coordinated for a local high school that served over 300 teens. During their time at HomeCourt, they participate in organized games, Efforts were begun to develop a and arts and crafts activities. coalition of counselors and treatment Presentations have been made by the centers. Pasco Police Department, the sexual Research was conducted to assault response center, and medical prepare for drug awareness/education practitioners. in classes and at assemblies. Cultural Diversity Celebrated Low-Income Assistance AmeriCorps members developed AmeriCorps team members and implemented a special project that provided a holiday party for over 250 AmeriCorps engaged a class of 25 students in the residents of a low-income housing area. development of a Holiday Play that incorporated diverse cultural elements Members also conducted and was presented to about 200 community assessments of over 200 children. low-income citizens to determine needs for services provided by the Community Action Committee and Local Mission Praises other social service programs. AmeriCorps Efforts AmeriCorps members sorted food, A Clean Sweep and provided maintenance and janitorial service for the local mission that Over 45 yards of garbage and 20 provides shelter for the homeless. The tons of trash was collected by shelter director said, "Regional Youth AmeriCorps members. Services Corps did a week of work- Ten acres of parks were cleaned up that had to be done-in one day. We when AmeriCorps members removed cannot begin to tell you of all the litter, glass and debris. wonderful comments of our people, praising you and your caring work. Twelve city blocks were cleaned not only did your group work well, they up during the Adopt A Block looked good and showed pride in the campaign. organization." Drug Free Programs AmeriCorps members conducted a Washington AmeriCorps community assessment and the data will Projects Administered by impact over 110,000 receiving services Community Youth Services and information from the Substance Abuse Coalition. At-Risk Students Helped Preliminary work on the positive AmeriCorps members working as graffiti project was completed. playground interventionist/tutors for 12 AMERICORPS A A In the first 100 days the Olympia School District have IONAL The efforts of the AmeriCorps provided one-on-one tutoring to at-risk members are helping these families to students in the classroom and have remain productive, healthy, and self- developed and led ongoing structured sufficient. activities during the most unstructured part of the school day, recess. Parenting Classes that Work Members have developed AmeriCorps members serving as mediation and conflict resolution skills Family Service Specialists at the and are helping students learn to solve Community Action Council have their conflicts in a non-violent and provided parenting classes for low- positive way. Principals report a income families. This service work has decrease in the number of incidents of resulted in a documented improvement violence on the playground that have in parenting skills and an increase in needed to be referred to their offices awareness of healthy childhood AmeriCorps since the AmeriCorps program began. development. AmeriCorps member service has also resulted in an increase in direct Thirty additional families will be tutoring opportunities for high-needs able to participate in parenting skills students who have been targeted as at- program this year due to the service risk of not achieving their next grade work performed by AmeriCorps members. level without additional personalized attention. Quality of Life Improved for Violence at Day Care Reduced Children of Troubled Apartment Complex The AmeriCorps Youth in Service program is helping the Olympia Child The police answer calls nightly at Care Center (OCCC) meet the needs of Forest Glen apartment complex to deal children and parents of low income with drug trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, vandalism and families. Three AmeriCorps members assaults. are serving as child care aides at OCCC. Their service work has The complex is isolated from the resulted in fewer incidents of children rest of the community by busy roads needing to be removed from the center and a freeway, so children in the due to violence, withdrawal or other complex do not have a way to access signs of stress. community programs. This translates to a decrease in the AmeriCorps member Jennifer number of times the center has had to Gillick turned life around for these call a parent to pick up a distressed children by bringing programs to the child. This is of particular importance children at a site leased through the because parents in low-paying Readiness to Learn Program. Now the employment are the most likely to lose Girl Scouts, 4-H and the YMCA's their jobs when they are called away to Before and After School Programs care for their children operate at the complex and provide enrichment to these children. 13 * NAT R CRICOR A SPENICE In the first 100 days Jennifer has also encouraged remarkable improvement with the involvement among the residents, general behavior and increased success helped residents access the on-site of the McLane students from this clothing bank and has contacted one- complex." on-one help for children in need of a The apartment manager reported positive adult role model. that the children love the activities The principal from nearby McLane offered and explained there is less Elementary explained that due to the trouble from the children residing in the success of this project, "We have seen complex. AmeriCorps The Numbers Behind the Stories AmeriCorps Members Total AmeriCorps Members 420 Total of hours of service 165,085 Community Volunteers Total Volunteers 246 Total hours contributed to AmeriCorps projects 10,816 For more information contact: Washington Commission for National and Community Service PO Box 43113 Olympia, WA 98504-3113 Phone: (360) 586-4051 Fax: (360) 586-5281 14 PIERCE COUNTY COMMUNITY AIDS PARTNERSHIP AMERICORPS Partners in AmeriCorps because no community is immune. The Pierce County Community AIDS Partnership Ameri Corps project is a national direct Ameri Corps program of the National AIDS Fund in Washington, D.C. The programs receives its matching grant funds from the Elton John Foundation. Eight Ameri Corps members were place in Pierce County community agencies in October of 1994 to help develop effective models of HIV prevention and support services which address the crisis of HIV/AIDS among our nation's young people. Host community agencies in Pierce County include: Planned Parenthood of Pierce County; Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department; Good Samaritan Medical Center (Puyallup), People of Color Against AIDS Network (Tacoma), and the Department of Social and Health Services (Pierce County). To date AmeriCorps members have contributed over 4, 423 hours of service. They have conducted 58 sessions of HIV 101 awareness training for over 2712 individuals. Groups included young people, AmeriCorps members, youth at risk, and even a special presentation for parents at a daycare. AmeriCorps members also conduct HIV testing and counseling. At one site a single Americorps members has in just 3 months exceeded the total number of test provided by the host agency in the previous year. Ameri Corps members also conduct street outreach in an attempt to get information to the people who are in greatest need of it. Ameri Corps members have also volunteered their off-hours, as a group, to various organizations in the county, including the Pierce County AIDS Foundation and the Mission, serving meals or facilitating special projects. Ameri Corps members have learned about the interconnectedness of social need, they have meet prejudice, and they have learned compassion. They have also learned more about the potential of their own and of the human spirit. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: KRIS URV-WONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PIERCE COUNTY COMMUNITY AIDS PARTNERSHIP 206.383.3452.