The Rainbow Affinity Crew is for LGBTQIA+ identifying participants (called Corpsmembers) to explore the natural resource management field, gain experience, and acquire technical skills in a safe and supportive environment. LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more.
Service Activities
The Rainbow Affinity Crew is part of a team-based, 10 week-long Fall Forestry Program. The crew will complete sawyer project on public lands throughout the Southern Front Range region. Corpsmembers on a sawyer crew operate chainsaws on invasive tree removal and wildland fire mitigation projects. They receive First-Aid/CPR and S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws certifications. Some sawyers will have the opportunity to receive pesticide application training. The use of pesticide is common on invasive tree removal projects.
Community Need Addressed
Trail work, trail maintenance, public lands, natural resource management
Position Outcomes
Promote a more inclusive public lands workforce
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Stipend, Training
• Biweekly Stipend - Earn a living stipend of $1,120 before taxes paid every 2 weeks.
o Leadership Opportunities available: Corpsmember Drivers are eligible for a living stipend of $1,140. Returning Corpsmembers earn $1,160. More information available on request.
• AmeriCorps Education Award - Earn a scholarship of $1,374.60 upon successful completion of the term (300 hours of service). This award can be used to pay future tuition, pay back qualifying student loans or go on an expedition through a wilderness school! Corpsmembers have 7 years to use the award.
• Student Loan Forbearance - Corpsmembers can apply to put their qualified federal student loans on hold during their term through the National Service Trust.
• Health Insurance - Corpsmembers are eligible for health insurance the 1st of the month after serving at MHYC for 60 days. Corpsmember contribution required.
• Counseling - Corpsmembers receive up to 4 free mental health counseling sessions per year.
• Networking - Corpsmembers have daily opportunities to network with federal, state and local natural resources professionals and access to a vast alumni network!
• Training – Depending on crew assignments, Corpsmembers will receive training in one or more stewardship skillsets, including S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws (required for sawyers), trail building and maintenance, and pesticide application.
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma, Credential or Certification
First Aid, CPR, S-212
Skills you will gain
The Rainbow Affinity Crew is part of a team-based, 10 week-long Fall Forestry Program. The crew will complete sawyer project on public lands throughout the Southern Front Range region. Corpsmembers on a sawyer crew operate chainsaws on invasive tree removal and wildland fire mitigation projects. They receive First-Aid/CPR and S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws certifications. Some sawyers will have the opportunity to receive pesticide application training. The use of pesticide is common on invasive tree removal projects.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals