AmeriCorps Report: January

Conflict Resolution Training

​On the 11th, my AmeriCorps team and I participated in a Conflict Resolution training facilitated by TAC board member, Donna Hallock. First we discussed what conflict is, what it looks like, and where it often occurs. We learned about our own conflict styles and how those inform how we handle conflict in our lives (I found out that I’m an avoider). Finally, we learned about and practiced some conflict resolution communication techniques like reflections and asking neutral, impartial questions. It was a lovely training and I walked away with some more self-awareness and some new skills to navigate conflict. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

For AmeriCorps members, MLK day is a “day on” rather than a “day off”. Teams are expected to plan service activities and give back to their community. For our service day, we visited the Willapa Harbor Care Center and the Alder House in North County and the Long Beach Retirement and Assisted Care in South County. We visited with residents, playing games, doing puzzles, coloring, and learning about their stories. 

TAC Teen Night

​The 20th was the very first TAC Teen Night. We hosted an Open Mic event at Elixir Coffee, Tea & Flowers in South Bend. Our South Bend Peer Helpers were in charge of planning and advertising for the event as well as running the raffle and emceeing the event- they were amazing! We had about 35 attendees and around 10 performers with talents from singing to storytelling to performing poetry. It was a super fun, successful evening! 

Point In Time Count and Project HOmeless Connect

​On the 28th, I helped carry out the Point In Time count, which is a nation-wide census of housing insecure folks. It’s important to have accurate numbers of community members in need of housing in order for us to receive funding to provide services for those folks. It was an emotional day, but overwhelming positive, especially when we were able to get people to Project Homeless Connect, where they could receive support and services they needed. 

Pacific County REsource Directory

​As part of my role in Willapa Community Network, I spent a lot of time in January updating the Pacific County Resource Directory for 2016. You can check that out below. To request printed copies, contact me at [email protected].