Volunteers sworn in—ready to work on state trails and bridges
By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times
Ken Smith/Turnagain Times
Members and team leaders of Americorp and Service Alaska Youth Corp, one of five programs under the Southeast Alaska Guidance Association, were sworn in at the Bird Point viewing area by Rep. Chris Tuck.
It was a calm, slightly overcast day, Wednesday, June 9, when 33 members ages 17-24 along with team leaders of Americorp and Service Alaska Youth Corp were sworn in at 1 p.m. at the Bird Point viewing area.
Representative Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) led the swearing in ceremony. Tuck was instrumental in obtaining an additional $125,000 in federal funds through Americorp bringing the total budget to $249,900 to pay for the work volunteers will be undertaking over the next few months.
Tuck said with the additional money they can leverage it for an additional $3.3 million from federal programs to pay for staffing for educational, health and social services programs in rural communities throughout the state.
Crews of volunteers have been living and training in Indian as they prepare to spread out across Southcentral and as far north as Fairbanks to work on a variety of projects including trail maintenance, rerouting trails to accommodate horses, and building bridges over creeks like a bridge over Penguin Creek in Bird, which was recently torn down.
SAGA began in 1986 in Alaska to fill the void left by a cut in funding by the U.S. Forest Service. Americorp began in 1994 under President Clinton to establish an ethic of service for youths. Members receive about $1,000 per month. Upon completion of service, volunteers also receive an educational award depending on time put into service.
Full-timers receive $4,725 (1,700 hours of work). Members also work half-time and quarter-time hours. There are 15 team leaders and 18 members with Service Alaska Youth Corp from communities around the state including Kotlik, Bethel, Nome, Anchorage and Wasilla. The members will live in tents for 10 weeks during the summer.
