SPOTLIGHT ON COMPACT AMERICORPS MEMBER: MEGAN BROWN

Megan Brown, supporting a community beautification project.

Megan Brown relocated from Washington state to serve as an MTCC AmeriCorps Team Leader at MSU Northern in Havre, MT. Megan is part of Campus Compact's inaugural college access AmeriCorps program, and leads a team of college student AmeriCorps members supporting college going culture, and supporting educational needs on Montana's Hi-Line.

Mentoring at the Boys and Girls Club has been a rewarding experience for her and the young people. She notes, “My bond with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club is very meaningful.  I take great pride in knowing that I have built strong bonds which is shown when I see the kids outside of the Boys and Girls Club and they are excited to see me and run up to give me a hug.”  Megan also tutors young kids with reading and spelling which has taught her patience and an appreciation for teachers.  Megan mentioned success with one Kindergarten girl she tutors—“Over the months I have observed an increase in confidence associated with reading for this young girl and an increase in understanding and frequency of reading sentences without errors. I am pleased to recognize my ability and skills in teaching reading to children.”  

Megan supports the Junior Staff Program (8th and 9th graders) at the Boys and Girls Club.  The Junior Staff mentors younger children at the center. They take the time to learn more about their mentees, their skills and passions, so they can better meet the needs of the centers where they serve.  Six –of the ten total- Junior Staff members have consistently demonstrated increased confidence, leadership skills and abilities to mentor youth. As they increase their dependability and understandings of their skills and abilities, they are able to mentor individual children at the center on an ongoing consistent basis.

Besides working directly with children, Megan helps coordinate service projects to meet community needs in Havre.  In honor of Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service, Megan and four other Hi-Line AmeriCorps members coordinated a Havre Cleanup Day.  Megan worked alongside Havre Mayor Tim Solomon on this project and engaged volunteers in service including pruning trees and shrubs.  The Mayor was pleased to recognize the AmeriCorps Members engaged in National Service in Havre.

Although Megan’s AmeriCorps service ends this summer, Megan has expressed interest in continuing serving with MTCC AmeriCorps in a new community next year.

MTCC ALUM ANNIE MOMBOURQUETTE CHECKS IN

Annie Mombourquette served with MTCC as an AmeriCorps VISTA from August 2014-August 2015 with Browning Public Schools and Blackfeet Community College.  She is continuing her service as a FoodCorps member with the same host site.  We wish Annie the best of luck with the remainder of her service with FoodCorps and life after AmeriCorps!
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When and where did you serve during your term as an AmeriCorps VISTA? 

I served in Browning, Montana with the Browning Public Schools Food Service Nutrition Education and School/Community Garden Program. I also partnered with Blackfeet Community College as my campus partner. 

How did your year of service impact your life? 

When I started as a VISTA, I planned to go to grad school to study plant genetics. I'm now pursuing public health with a focus on health behavior and chronic disease prevention. More importantly, VISTA brought me to Browning, MT where I've grown as a professional, community member, and person. It has been a privilege to work with the school system and in the community for the last two years. And, I am excited for what's to come. 

What did you do after your term as a VISTA? 

I am currently a FoodCorps Service Member with the Browning Public Schools. FoodCorps is a national network of AmeriCorps leaders connecting kids to real food so they can grow up healthy. 

Where are you now and what is your daily work life like? 

My service varies from day to day. On most days, I teach hands-on nutrition lessons in K through 12 classrooms, maintain the school and community garden and greenhouse, and increase access to healthy food.