CollegeCorps: Greenwood Cemetery: Preserving Veteran Legacies

Nizhoni Kears, College Corp Undergraduate Student

Other

Founded in 1851, Greenwood Cemetery is one of Humboldt County's oldest resting places, hosting hundreds, including veterans from the Civil War to modern conflicts. In preparation for Memorial Day, I've meticulously cleaned and mapped veteran gravestones over three months. This ensures accurate flag placement, honoring their service beyond symbolism. Let's preserve their legacies for generations to come.

Colorectal Cancer Disparities and Physical Activity Distribution Among Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites in New Mexico

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We studied changes in physical activity among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) to examine the difference in colorectal cancer (CRC) related risk factors between these 2 groups across time. The UNM ColorectalDisease Prevention Study (M. Gonzales PI) surveyed the intensity of work and leisure physical activity at age 18, 30, 50 and/or year before diagnosis among 176 Hispanic and NHW CRC patients including additional risk factors which are known to differ between Hispanics and NHWs in New Mexico (Gonzales 2012). Due to racial ethnic differences in CRC related risk factors, the need to raise awareness about CRC prevention is essential for the Hispanic communities in New Mexico.

Combatting opioid use disorder through the power of exercise

Kyle Winton, Other Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

A literature review involving the history of Opioid Use Disorder, its physical, psychological, and emotional effects; and how exercise and physical activity could alleviate some of the difficulties faced by those who experience opioid use disorder.

Combining Environmental Education with Music at Sunnybrae Middle School

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

My service learning project is with Sunnybrae Middle School at the after school program. I have spent the duration of the semester tutoring children in grades 6-8 and planning my activity. I am combining environmental education with music by obtaining a group of children in order to a discuss environmental topics and creating musical lyrics using that dialogue and an arrangement of instruments. The goal of this project is the inform the next generation about the importance of planetary health as well as human relationships to nature by touching on subjects such as pollution, oppression and ways in which one can make differences that will contribute to the creation of a more just world.

Commander-in-Clown: An Analysis of Political Rhetoric in Relation to Saturday Night Live

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Saturday Night Live is a major cultural touchstone and a reactive satire which parodies the same politics it influences. Though whether this influence is descriptive or prescriptive remains to be seen. During the 2016 election, the show changed its portrayal of Donald Trump when Alec Baldwin took over the role. Trump was portrayed as ultimately stupid and unlikely to win. The show helped to normalize his campaign, repudiating Trump’s mannerisms but not his policies. By lavishing so much faith on Clinton and treating Trump like a throwaway joke, Saturday Night Live may have inadvertently helped him win the election.

Community Brochure for Open Door Community Health Centers

Andrea Jones, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

My research focuses on community access to cultural and crisis resources, through networking with community health centers. My brochure will help reach a boarder population throughout Humboldt and Del Norte counties on educating and advocating for families about health services offered at their local clinic site. While Open Door struggles to retain staff, and providers, its important for the community to have additional access to other resources that are not quite at capacity. This will support small organizations that focus on cultural and diverse practices, as well as acknowledge Indigenous people by having others support and give back through their honor tax.

Community Connection: Becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and the Relation to Political Science

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This project highlights my experience volunteering with CASA of Humboldt and how it relates to a political science degree. Often CASA is marketed to the child development and social work majors; however, I will demonstrate how it is equally connected to political science majors. An internship with CASA applies several aspects of political science including: social advocacy and understanding the judicial system. CASA’s gain extensive legal experience through writing court reports, collaborating with attorneys, learning child welfare laws, and advocating in court. My ultimate hope is that my project will spark your interest in becoming an advocate, so you can make a difference for a child!

Community Currency for Humboldt

College of Professional Studies

I will conducting a feasibility study for the implementation of a local community currency in Humboldt County, in conjunction with the impacts (positive or negative) of starting a community currency. This study will be based off of examples of current successful community currencies.

Community Needs Assessment for the Bear River Band of Rhonerville Rancheria

College of Professional Studies

My project is a community needs assessment for the Bear River Band of Rhonerville Rancheria, who are my community partners. I am working with Liana Whiteley, Director of Social Services. This needs assessment is needed to effectively assess and address the educational needs of the youth in their community. It is also a way to assess how the local school districts can better support the education of the tribes youth, their families, and their community. With this needs assessment, I hope to be able to capture the necessary information to demonstrate Bear River Rancheria’s need for an educational system that is supportive and inclusive of their community and culture.

Community Youth Center Capacity Building

John Evans, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Dream Quest (DQ) is a youth center in Willow Creek, CA that provides positive youth development opportunities to the communities of Eastern Humboldt County and Western Trinity County. DQ is currently planning for an expansion into a new purpose built building which will extend DQ’s capacity to positively impact the community. Along with facilities expansion, DQ is planning to expand the capacity of its staff and programming, including the continual improvement of youth outcomes. DQ requested my assistance to collaborate in an effort to uncover knowledge around program evaluation and the experience of families involved with DQ.