Here through mid-July

PATEROS – A 10-member team from the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps arrived in Pateros last week to begin a three-month assignment that will see the Pacific Region Blue 7 team divide its work between the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group (OCLTRG) and TwispWorks in Twisp.

“To help OCLTRG and TwispWorks complete its mission, Blue 7 will assist in the completion of home rebuilds, work with homeowners/fire survivors to remove brush and replant yards as part of their “Green Again Campaign” in Pateros and assist in renovating and constructing a new building and work on improving the TwispWorks campus garden,” a Blue 7 media release said.

TwispWorks is a 6.4-acre campus that formerly served at the Twisp headquarters for the U.S. Forest Service. It now serves as a community hub promoting and supporting the residents, businesses and industries in the Methow Valley.

“Blue 7 is thrilled to help OCLTRG and TwispWorks in their recovery and building efforts,” said NCCC assistant team leader Martha Taylor. We have learned so much about Washington so far and feel welcomed by the wonderful community and our site sponsors.”

Blue 7, is the eighth AmeriCorps NCCC team to volunteer with OCLTRG over the past five years. It will spend the first three-and-one-half weeks in Pateros before transitioning to Twisp.

“This is our last NCCC team having to do with the disaster,” said Pateros Mayor Carlene Anders. “I think we’re summing up the disaster work piece of it.”

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 2,800 young adults serve nationwide each year. Corps members, all 18-to-24-year-olds serve 10-month tours working in teams of eight to 12 individuals. The Pacific Region campus that serves Washington among nine other western states is one of four regional hubs across the nation.