Cispus & AmeriCorps, Together Again!

Help Us Keep AmeriCorps in East Lewis County

AmeriCorps is back in East Lewis County, and they’re already making an impact!

Our current AmeriCorps members- Sofia, Abbie, Kristina, and Sadie- are bringing energy, creativity, and a whole lot of heart to their service in our community. They’re working with students, supporting Cispus Learning Center, partnering with local schools and organizations, and developing projects designed to create meaningful opportunities for Washington youth.

And this is just the beginning!

At Cispus, our members are helping turn ideas into hands-on experiences that connect young people with their communities and the world around them. They’re developing a tree-planting project focused on restoring local riparian zones, helping youth understand the importance of healthy forests and waterways while giving them the opportunity to get their hands dirty and make a tangible difference.

They’re also developing a guided interpretive hike for the local community, highlighting the flora and fauna found right here in East Lewis County. These experiences give participants a chance to slow down, explore their surroundings, and learn more about the incredible natural resources in their own backyard.

At the school, our members are working on a pollinator garden that will create an outdoor learning space while supporting local pollinators. They’re also developing STEAM-focused After School Programs designed to keep children engaged with science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on activities, creativity, and exploration.

And they’re helping preserve the history of Cispus itself. From old logging equipment to animal pelts and other educational materials, our members are working to preserve, organize, and share pieces of local history so future generations can learn from the stories and resources that came before them.

These projects represent just a handful of the ways our AmeriCorps members are serving East Lewis County. They’re helping students learn, creating new opportunities for youth, connecting community members with their environment, preserving local history, and finding new ways to bring people together.

But perhaps most exciting of all? These projects are just the beginning.

With community support, we hope to continue building AmeriCorps opportunities in East Lewis County for the 2027–28 service year and beyond. Future members could bring new ideas, new programs, and new opportunities to schools, community organizations, Cispus, and the young people who call this valley home.

Your Give Local donation helps us build that future.

You’re not just supporting a program; you’re helping create opportunities for Washington youth to learn, explore, create, serve, and connect with their communities. You’re helping local projects grow from ideas into experiences. And you’re helping ensure that the energy and service our current members have brought to East Lewis County can continue long after their service term ends.

Sofia, Abbie, Kristina, and Sadie are showing us what’s possible. Now we want to see where we can take it next.

Help us keep AmeriCorps in East Lewis County. Help us keep service growing. And help us build an even brighter future for the youth and communities of our valley. 💚