Et cetera : Another GAP: Maple 6 helping Guadalupe Alternative Programs in St. Paul

By: Alease Rowan

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team, Maple 6, is breaking ground with a new sponsor that’s located in the Twin Cities. This team is going to be one of the very first teams from Vinton, Iowa’s North Central Region Campus to work with Guadalupe Alternative Programs (GAP) in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Maple 6 arrived at the St. Paul contract alternative school March the 18, 2012 and have been focusing on the program’s three basic strategies of education and enrichment, social and emotional support and training leading to employment ever since. The high school turned to NCCC members for assistance when the State/National AmeriCorps program shifted their focus towards younger students.

Already, Maple 6 members have taught classes (Geometry and Certified-Technician training class), launched a prom committee, worked one-on-one with students, helped with materializing GAP’s plans for an urban farming summer class and began construction on a 10’x10’ shed for a community garden.

Maple 6 has also been working on various Independent Service Projects (ISPs) with the local food pantry, a non-profit thrift store and a long-distance running benefit event.