Bumper crop of Americorps members join Juneau

The 13 members are focused heavily on early childhood education.

Americorps members participate in a videoconference with program coordinator Shari Paul during their orientation. (Courtesy photo / Shari Paul)

Americorps members participate in a videoconference with program coordinator Shari Paul during their orientation. (Courtesy photo / Shari Paul)

A rainy summer and a strange year haven’t dampened the spirits of the Americorps members coming to Juneau this summer.

Thirteen Americorps members will work in Juneau this year, including two returning members, said Americorps program director Shari Paul in a phone interview.

“It’s a large group. We had 60 applications, I think,” Paul said. “Because of the economy and because of COVID, there’s a huge increase in people applying across the country. Sitka has 29 members, which is their largest ever.”

Americorps, which works as a part of the United Way of Southeast Alaska, had eight members last year. Paul welcomes the larger group as a sign that more people are willing to work with the Americorps members for mutual benefit.

“With COVID we’re all going to have to be flexible. We’re hoping members will be able to serve a majority of their time at the work site,” Paul said. “They’re going to have to interact with students with families using whichever program they use.”

[Primary Elections: Where to vote]

Members arrived in Juneau two weeks ahead of time before they were due to appear at their work sites, Paul said, to allow for time to quarantine. Since then, their time has been taken up by training and orientation. Presentations ranged from things like the history and politics of the Southeast with state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, to Juneau’s trail systems with Trail Mix Inc. executive director Ryan O’Shaughnessy, Paul said.

“It was definitely a strange time to move somewhere new,” aid Jordan Frodge, one of the new members. “I haven’t been west of the Mississippi. This is my first time. It’s also been a good time to see the community without the tourism.”

Frodge joined Americorps after the mass recall of the Peace Corps. She employed her skills teaching in Namibia. Frodge will be working at Little Eagles and Ravens Nest with the children at the child care center. Frodge says she intends to pursue a graduate degree in speech pathology in the future.

“The main focus for our program over the next three years is to improve academic literacy for pre-K through 3rd grade,” Paul said.

Six of the new members, including Frodge, are sited in schools or child care centers to this end. Paul said she hopes members will be able to get personal contact with the young ones to best do their jobs. Members will be serving at Gastineau Elementary, Riverbend Elementary, Glacier Valley Elementary, Harborview Elementary, Mendenhall River Community School, Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition, LEARN Childcare Center, AEYC, Southeast Regional Resource Center, Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, Zack Gordon Youth Center and Alaska Housing Development Corp – Gruening Park Family Center.

“With child literacy, a lot of that is so dependent on getting in person with the kids,” Frodge said. “Till then, it’s a good time to be working with families more directly.

The hardest part of getting new members up is the paperwork, and often, the airfares, Paul said. She could have accepted a few more, Paul said, but 13 was a good number without quite risking biting off too much. The orientations have gone for two weeks now over Zoom, with new members from Juneau and Sitka getting 4-8 hours of presentations each day.

“This is my new plan,” said Frodge, referring to her initial plan to be in Namibia for 27 months. “We all feel lucky to be living somewhere that isn’t extremely dependent on things being open.”

Paul said she hopes that the pandemic eases off soon and the members are able to experience some of the great things about Juneau.

“Part of the Juneau experience is experiencing our arts and culture. Going to First Friday, the seven-minute stories, all the arts and cultures,” Paul said. “I’m hoping at some point things open up so they get to experience the beauty of Juneau.”

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 18

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, prepares to open the Alaska Senate’s floor session on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Senate President Gary Stevens to retire; House Rep. Louise Stutes announces run for seat

At least one other member of Senate’s bipartisan majority is expected to not seek reelection in 2026.

Juneau Assembly members discuss a proposed increase in the mill rate for the fiscal year starting July 1 during a meeting of the Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Increasing mill rate to 10.24, rather than 10.19 in earlier versions of city’s budget, gets OK from Assembly

Extra costs in budget, loss of federal funds cited for higher increase from current rate of 10.04 mills.

Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speaks to the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, April 25, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
At adjournment, Alaska Legislature leaves elections overhaul, campaign finance bills undone

House Bill 16 and Senate Bill 64 could be part of a wave of big legislation that passes early next year.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Legislature overrides governor’s education veto in moment of ‘courage’

Supporters of bill raising BSA by $700 stand together as session nears adjournment.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, May 18, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Visitors walk along the downtown cruise ship dock on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Initiative to limit number of cruise ship passengers, shorten season fails to get signatures to make ballot

“Enthusiasm for this just wasn’t there in the same way as Ship-Free Saturday,” author of proposal says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes second bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Most Read