Our Partner Sites

The Carlton County Community and Family Initiatives Department strives to create an equitable community where all people can reach their full potential. The collaborative plans and coordinates the local service systems serving children and families, including children and youth with mental health needs. AmeriCorps members at Carlton County community and Family initiatives Department will join a group of professionals partnering with school districts and community sites to build positive relationships with youth. Learn more about programming on their website. 

Full Year Members- The role of the Chester Bowl AmeriCorps member is to assist with planning and implementation of Chester Bowl programs. For full-year members, this includes the Winter Alpine program, Summer and Fall Day Camps, and the Cadet+ program. In this role, you'll get hands on experience both working with students day to day, as well as the background experience of developing nature-based curriculum for campers and helping with the logistics of volunteer management of community members. All service will be completed in alignment with Chester Bowl's mission "to promote sustainable, quality programs for all Chester Bowl Park users in a healthy and safe environment." If you have a passion for year-round outdoor activities and nature-based education, we'd love to have you serve with us!

Summer-Only Members- Members serving at Chester Bowl Day Camp, follow the motto of kids being "tired, happy, and dirty" at the end of the day! Members will spend time outside all day with campers exploring nature, building forts, jumping in the creek, making crafts out of anything and everything, hammocking, hiking to nearby parks, teaching wacky new group games, and leading nature based activities. Chester Bowl's programming is guided by the Peace in the Parks philosophy about how others are treated. Staff share that they love to see the interpersonal skills and social competencies growth in campers and watch their friendships deepen as the summer progresses. There are three camp locations within Chester Bowl, each has 28 campers per week, supported by three staff members, an AmeriCorps member, and volunteers. Are you ready to be tired, happy, and dirty at the end of every day? Serve at Chester Bowl Day Camp!

The Damiano Center is the largest emergency meal provider in Northeastern Minnesota also offering drop in children's programming, a clothing program for people seeking employment, and referrals for basic assistance. A very diverse staff seek daily to welcome people in need and serve them without judgement. Kid's Kitchen works to reduce childhood hunger and malnutrition by providing nutritious meals, nutrition education, and a fun place for kids both after school and in the summer. Kids' Kitchen seeks to make sure that al children have access to quality, healthy food. We emphasize nutrition education through the fun, hands-on experience of preparing food, and organize gardening. Activities also include art, physical activities, and activities to honor the culture and heritage of the diverse children who come to Kids' Kitchen.

Eagle’s Nest is a collaborative program of the Duluth YMCA and Duluth Edison Charter Schools, formally known as Kid’s Club, offered at North Star Academy and Raleigh Academy. The philosophy of the program is to offer a safe and engaging out-of-school time program that complements the school day and creates an enriching environment that fosters positive youth development and academic success. 

Structured daily programming includes a snack and physical activity, academic enrichment and choice time. Edison Charter Schools have several “no school” days throughout the year during which Eagle’s Nest has a full day program with students including field trips and other fun activities. We love to play outside on the playgrounds and group games in the gym. We all work as a team here and have a very upbeat group of employees!

Ely Community Resource (ECR) Youth Programs foster youth development through activities designed to increase self-esteem, build a sense of community, and provide positive adult relationships. During the summer months, ECR staff provide reading programs, enrichment activities, recreational activities, social competencies work, interpersonal skills lessons, and clubs, in a safe, warm, and welcoming setting. Fun educational activities indoors and outside are planned with ample opportunities for a True North member's input. the member will also be able to incorporate their ideas and interests in developing enrichment programming. ECR's extensive collaboration with other community groups will give useful experience and networks for members This is a great placement for someone interested in outdoor and experiential education.

For over 30 years, First Witness Child Advocacy Center has been committed to strengthening the communities' response to child abuse and ending child abuse. First Witness has two programs: forensic interviews and family advocacy. The AmeriCorps member will support the advocacy program, primarily using the Safe and Strong Child curriculum, but they may also support youth and families seeking support for allegations of child maltreatment as well as support groups. In this role, the member will help present to thousands of kids in greater Duluth, Carlton County, and Lake County schools.  

Harbor Highlands (also called the Little Y) is a fun and fast paced drop in youth center in the upper Central Hillside serving youth in K-12th grade. Youth here enjoy playing in the gym, doing arts and crafts, working on homework, and playing with computers. The AmeriCorps member will assist in planning for the program, leading activities, and helping with different clubs such as cooking, STEM, nature, and others depending on members and youths interests.  Many youth here struggle with academics and are below grade level.

This is a great site for AmeriCorps members to get youth back on track for graduation. One of the best parts of serving at Harbor Highlands is getting to work with youth from different backgrounds and the high energy youth bring to the program each day!

Woodland's Hartley Nature Center sits in Hartley Park on the site of the former Allendale Farms, owned by Duluth businessman Guliford G. Hartley. The 640-acre park contains ten miles of multi-purpose trails that weave through forest land, including a pine grove, as well as wetlands that include a pond made by damming Tischer Creek. Members that serve at Hartley Nature Center will assist in developing and delivering environmental based content to youth through school programs, after-school programs, and summer day camp programming! Members will join a friendly, dynamic team that is dedicated to carrying out Hartley Nature Center's mission of inspiring lifelong connections with nature through education, play, and exploration.

K.E.Y. Zone (Knowledge, Enrichment, and Youth Development) is a collaborative program of the Duluth YMCA and ISD 709 Community Education. The locations of these high quality programs are at all 9 Duluth Public Elementary Schools, which provides services for grades K-5 year round including summer and school breaks.  KEY Zone offers structured daily afterschool programming that includes a snack and physical activity, academic enrichment and choice time. See all the K.E.Y. Zone sites below.

Congdon Park Elementary

Homecroft Elementary

Lakewood Elementary

Laura MacArthur Elementary

Lowell Elementary

Myers-Wilkins Elementary

Piedmont Elementary

Stowe Elementary

Opening fall 2022, the Forest School is an innovative, nature-based elementary school whose goals are to promote student curiosity, autonomy, critical thinking, and collaboration. TNAC members here will be primarily outside, supporting students organized into multi-grade learning pods. The emphasis of these groups is community building, connection, belonging, and reflection. Approximately 40% of each day will be spent outside using Marshall's 40+ acre campus.

The Forest School is part of the greater Marshall School, whose educational philosophy is the understanding that a student’s educational journey ​​is the starting place of a lifelong ripple effect. At Marshall, students are encouraged to discover their own unique path in life. During their time at Marshall students explore their intellectual curiosity, develop strong academic habits, and understand what it means to become a global citizen.

The Valley Youth Center is a kid centered drop in program in the Spirit Valley Neighborhood. We work to overcome obstacles to make kids’ dreams come true. Youth who come to our program often come with varying needs and from environments that could be considered non-traditional. To be successful here, you need to have high levels of energy, compassion, tolerance, patience and forgiveness, and creativity. Come willing to be put to the test by kids and able to hold them accountable. Be excited to jump into a quasi-chaotic environment where the kids are loud, full of energy, and bouncing off the walls.

Know that it will take time to build trust, but after doing so the members at this site can make a real difference supporting kids' social competencies and interpersonal skills needs and coping skills. Applicants should be  willing to try new things, present new ideas, and keep kids safe while allowing for exploration and play. The VYC is a unique site that may not be a fit for those seeking a quiet, relaxed, structured environment.