VOLUNTEER PROGRAM :: Red Cloud Indian School

AMERICORPS PROGRAM

AmeriCorps is a government sponsored program that engages thousands of citizens from across the country in a range of local programs that help communities meet critical needs. Red Cloud School has had an AmeriCorps program for more than 10 years with volunteers coming from both the local communities and other parts of the country. Volunteers teach, tutor, mentor, run after-school activities, and drive bus.

All of the AmeriCorps volunteers bring their gifts of education, boundless energy, and giving hearts to the students of Red Cloud School and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Porcupine. The volunteers from other states bring a unique perspective to the students by giving them a glimpse of the outside world. They, in return, may experience the rich heritage of the Lakota culture. The local members receive training in the field of education while they are attending college.

AmeriCorps members serve terms of 1700 hours which is about one school year. While they are serving, they receive loan forbearance on their student loans. At the end of a successfully completed term, they also receive an Education Award of $5,350 to be applied to either their student loan or to a school they are attending.

The Red Cloud School AmeriCorps members for school year 2010-11 are as follows:
Nicole Herman (Pine Ridge), Leigh Little Finger (Oglala), Amanda Blacksmith (Oglala), Jacob Franks (Pine Ridge), Erin Diffenderfer (Ohio), Kelly McConnaughey (Alabama), Ray Cuny (Pine Ridge), Phillip Clarke (Oglala), Elizabeth Welch (Massachusetts), Anne Grass (Missouri), Tim Sullivan (Massachusetts), Jeremy Twiss (Porcupine), Kate Bonsall (Massachusetts), Carla Jasso (California), Sarah Kettler (Nebraska).

We also have seven members who are serving their second term. They are: Anthony Zimiga (Pine Ridge), Troy Blount (Pine Ridge), Jackie Freeman (Michigan), Hope Boeve (Connecticut), Benjamin Horgan (Massachusetts), Jenny Upton (Illinois), Catlin Clifford (Porcupine), Katie Bent (Massachusetts), and Hillary Richard (South Dakota).

For more information or to express an interest in the AmeriCorps Program, contact Margi Bettelyoun, AmeriCorps Program Director, at 605.867.5888 ext. 216 or email mbettelyoun@redcloudschool.org.