Meet Raysha, Operation AmeriCorps Member
Member Profiles to introduce AmeriCorps to the Osage Reservation
By ON Communications
PAWHUSKA, Okla. (Oct. 27, 2015) — Raysha Stauffer, 27, lives in a small town with only a few employment and educational opportunities. She is among several local people who have signed up for an exciting opportunity that is still relatively new to the area. Operation AmeriCorps and Ta-Wa AmeriCorps, both managed by the Osage Nation Communities of Excellence Program, offer hands-on experience with unique community service driven projects that translates into specialized job training and educational opportunities for their members.
The Osage Nation and the Corporation for National and Community Service announced in August, the Nation is, “one of 10 communities nationwide to become a partner of the agency’s new Operation AmeriCorps initiative.” The total for the two-year project to build Wahzhazhe Eco Park along with continued work on Bird Creek Farms will be an investment of nearly $1.4 million.
Program Coordinator Nataska Rouse said the members will work on developing Bird Creek Farms, a new food sustainability project spearheaded by Communities of Excellence and the Osage Nation Executive Office. The Nation is utilizing previously unused land to develop Eco Park for gardens, crops, hiking trails, outdoor classrooms and other outdoor recreational services.
Rouse said, “AmeriCorps members will obtain organizational skills and other specialized skills associated with creating, developing, planning and designing Eco Park.”
Spotlight AmeriCorps Member-Stauffer is this week’s Spotlight AmeriCorps Member. She can be seen around town working on various projects wearing the AmeriCorps logo, just like all the other members do when working. Their efforts extend to several areas including elder services and youth services to promote healthy living choices.
Stauffer had this to say about being a part of AmeriCorps and the community service projects at Eco Park and Bird Creek Farms in Pawhuska.
ON: Why did you apply to be an Operation AmeriCorps member?
S: I had just moved to Pawhuska and I was in need of a job and I happened on an ad on Facebook about Operation AmeriCorps. It sounded like a great opportunity to do something important.
ON: What is the greatest benefit of being an AmeriCorps member for you?
S: The greatest benefit is my contribution to the Osage Nation Bird Creek Farms and the continued work and progress for Osage people for generations to come.
ON: What is your educational background or career experience?
S: I am currently working on earning my GED and I plan on finishing before the end of the year.
ON: What are your educational and career goals?
S: I plan on furthering my education and studying psychology to become a counselor.
ON: What do you hope to give back or learn as an AmeriCorps member?
S: I hope to do my part to have a good impact on the community, however big or small that may be.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
Monthly stipend:
$1044.17
Education Award; applies to any vocational, 4 year, or 2 year school and it may also may be applied to student loans.
$5,730.00 (per one year of service)
Childcare
Stipend toward medical if needed
Uniform
AmeriCorps T-shirt
Safety gear
Steel-toe work boots
Cargo pants khaki or black
Contact Nataska Rouse, Program Coordinator, at 918-287-5457 or visit https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/communities-excellence to find out more about the Osage Nation Operation AmeriCorps.
Corporation for National and Community Service http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/operation-americorps
For Media Inquiries: Osage Nation Communications 918-287-5599