Request a team to work in your community

Introduction
Past service projects

Old Minto Yo-Kah Cabin Construction


TCCC Members got a taste of camp life and gained valuable construction skills working at Old Minto Culture Camp.  This project, sponsored by the Cultural Heritage and Education Institute (CHEI), brought Members by boat from Nenana to a small camp along the Tanana River.  Members got a chance to visit with elders who stay and work at the camp, and with visitors to the camp from around the world.  The team’s main task in Old Minto was to construct ten log cabin kits that will provide housing for the elders who stay at the camp in the summer.  They also helped with the construction of other camp necessities such as a kitchen and a boat ramp.  Upon completion of the project, all of the Corps Members’ hard work was recognized at Old Minto’s annual potlatch.  CHEI’s Executive Director, and Native elder, Robert Charlie said that, “There is no doubt that this project would not be as close to completion as it currently is, without the strong support from these young people.”

Totem Pole Carving & Carving Shed Improvements in Klawock


Corps Members from Interior Alaska got hands-on experience in another culture in the Southeast Alaska town of Klawock.  After traveling by van and ferry for two days, team Teekoana learned to carve totem poles in the Tlingit/Haida tradition from a master of the trade.  The team worked together on two totem poles, which will be placed on each side of the carving shed where the artists work.  The poles were named “goo-nana-geesh,” which means “Interior people’s pole.”  Carving wasn’t the only new cultural experience for the Corps Members, some saw whales, bears, deer, and eagles for the first time.  And, they dined on fresh shrimp, halibut, and salmon daily, thanks to the generosity of the local people. 

In exchange for this unique opportunity, team Teekoana used their carpentry skills to make improvements to the community’s carving shed.  The main improvement made was building walls around the shed to protect it from vandalism and cold weather. 

Fort Yukon Tribal Office Renovations

TCCC Team Eagles traveled to Fort Yukon to perform a service project in the summer of 2001.  The team was requested by the Native Village of Fort Yukon to help create a quiet and relaxing daily meal site for the Elderly Nutrition Program, and also to create additional office space to allow them to expand their services.  To accomplish this, the team helped convert a building that was once a freezer storage building into offices, a kitchen, a food storage area, and a dining area.  Work done by the team included tearing out old freezer equipment, walls, floors, etc.; building a new floor; framing offices; cutting and hanging sheetrock; installing track lighting; and other related tasks.  Corps Members enjoyed learning new carpentry and electrical skills, as well as getting to know the people and culture of the area.

Building FNA Early Head Start Playground/ Conducting Community Needs Assessment


The Fairbanks Native Association Early Head Start program utilized a TCCC team to address several of the needs within their organization.  One of the biggest needs of their program was for a safe and age appropriate outdoor play environment for children aged birth to three years.  TCCC Members helped accomplish this by volunteering their time to complete the following: leveling and putting gravel over the site for the playground, assembling the play structure, putting the structure in place and securing it, and cleaning-up after the project was complete.  They also prepared an area around the plot for a sidewalk. 

The second major need of their program was for a community needs assessment of the Fairbanks area.  TCCC Members first developed a strategy for surveying the community, then set about the task.  Their strategy involved going to public meeting places such as the clinic and Doyon to ask people questions one-on-one.  They also did surveys over the phone.

The Corps Members also did other various tasks for the FNA Head Start program such as painting and re-arranging.
Calypso Farm Development

One of the first projects that TCCC Members completed was at Calypso Farm & Ecology Center in Ester.  This new nonprofit corporation hopes to encourage local, ecologically sound food production and environmental awareness through hands-on education in ecology.  TCCC teams did much of the ground- breaking work at Calypso Farms.  While at the Farm, Corps Members helped clear birch and aspen from a large field to be used for planting, and cut the trees into over twenty cords of firewood.  TCCC teams also helped haul and chip brush piles, prepared the field for planting, and cleared a site for the barn.  Members also did some construction work at Calypso, including building chicken and goat pens and building a deck on the future classroom.  Other tasks accomplished by our members include constructing an ecologically-safe pond, and working with school kids who visited the farm.  Calypso Farms has requested the help of a TCCC team in 2002 to help construct a barn/classroom/office.

Other Projects 


TCCC teams also had the opportunity to help with several community events in 2001.  Our teams served at potlatches in villages including Northway, Stevens Village, Minto, and Nenana.  They also helped with events such as the TCC Annual Convention, the AFN Convention, and numerous local Nenana events.  Other day-long projects included hosting regular luncheons or brunches for the elders at Denali Center and for the Nenana Senior Citizens.  We hope to have our teams work with elders frequently in 2002, and also plan on them assisting with many more events such as potlatches, Native gatherings, and other community events.

Corps Members are also available to work on disaster relief and other emergency efforts.  In 2001, a TCCC team assisted with search and rescue efforts for a local Nenana man.  Examples of other possible assistance that TCCC could provide include flood control/relief and fire fighting.  

top of page
Service project criteria
All service projects must meet the following criteria:
  • Address a compelling community need in one of the following 5 areas:
 
Education Examples: tutoring youth, or educating locals on issues such as pollution
Environment Examples: conducting biological surveys, or environmental restoration
Public Safety Examples: marking winter trails, or building a fire line around the community
Disaster Relief Examples: assistance with clean-up and re-build after a flood, or assisting with search and rescue efforts
Other Human Needs Examples: Helping with potlatches, or fixing-up elders’ homes
  • Provide a safe environment for our Corps Members
  • Provide opportunities for Corps Members' growth and development
  • Have clearly stated tasks and objectives
  • Use all team members effectively throughout the project, which should be 3-6 weeks in duration
  • Provide opportunities to promote service, AmeriCorps, and TCCC in the community
  • Have community involvement on the project
  • Have a plan for sustainability after the TCCC team completes their service

top of page

Project sponsor benefits
What do you get when your community or organization becomes a Project Sponsor?
  • A team of 8-10 hard working, service oriented youth
  • Help in achieving goals that would otherwise lack the resources to be accomplished
  • A team that will be responsible and reliable
  • The opportunity to meet Alaska Native and Native American youth from throughout Alaska 
    and the U.S., and to learn about their different cultures
  • A chance to help develop the skills and character of our future leaders

top of page

Project application and selection process
All proposed service projects follow these general steps:
  • Part I of the Project Proposal is submitted by the sponsoring organization or agency.  
    (Download with Adobe Acrobat)
  • Part I is reviewed.  If there are no apparent problems or concerns with the proposed project, 
    Part II of the Proposal is sent to the Project Sponsor.
  • Part II of the Project Proposal is submitted by the Project Sponsor.
  • Project is either approved or rejected and the Project Sponsor is notified.
    Note: See “Service Project Criteria” page for information on how projects are selected.  
  • If possible, TCCC staff visits the project site to assure that everything is in place for the 
    project.
  • A Service Project Sponsor Agreement is signed by both TCCC and the Project Sponsor.
  • Service project is performed.
    Note: Staff site visits to the project site will be conducted whenever possible throughout the 
    project.
  • Project Sponsor organizes an end-of-project event (i.e. a community potluck) to recognize 
    the valuable work performed by the team.
  • Team returns to campus.
  • Project Sponsor reviews, edits, and signs a Service Project Completion Report prepared by 
    the TCCC team that performed the project.
  • Project Sponsor completes an evaluation of the team and project.

If you would like help completing the Project Application, or for any other project assistance, please contact Gayle Ramey at 800-478-6822 X3733.

top of page

Project sponsor responsibilities
What does your organization have to provide?
  • All required materials and equipment for the project
    Note: TCCC may be able to provide some tools and gear  
  • Any specific training needed to perform the project
  • Orientation of Corps Members to your community and the project
  • A Site Supervisor to direct and supervise Corps Members during the work day
  • Assistance with food, lodging, and transportation if needed  
    Note: If a project is within 60 miles of Nenana campus, Corps Members may be able to commute to the worksite each day
  • Opportunities for Members to learn through their service

If resources are available, a fee for service may be charged for some projects

top of page

back