Ethos and National Service
*To request a assistance from a permanent AmeriCorps member click on Request for Proposal
*To see how you can get short term assistance from a AmeriCorps member in your community click Application for Ethos’ Rural Outreach Programs.
After spending over two & ½ years in the Congo as a Peace Corps worker and another two years at Harvard’s Kennedy School as a Public Service Fellow, Charles Lewis decided to apply his experiences and education to address an urgent need – disappearing music programs in Portland Public Schools. Charles founded Ethos in 1998 with a desire to make music education accessible for underserved youth.
Under Charles direction, Ethos’ programs were first implemented by volunteer teachers. By spring of 2000 Ethos secured its first AmeriCorps*VISTA grant which meant Charles would finally have a staff to help grow programming. Both direct (AmeriCorps) and indirect (AmeriCorps*VISTA) National Service volunteers were used at different times in Ethos’ development based on the organizational and community needs of the time.
Rural Outreach Project Development Timeline:
2000-2002: Organizational Infrastructure, Program Design & Implementation, and Development
1) Four AmeriCorps*VISTAs: Jason Davis, Michelle Boss Barba, Eleanor Cosgrove & Adrian Wulff
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- helped expand Ethos’ urban outreach program Music Corps to communities through the Portland Metro area and Southwest Washington
- started Ethos’ rural program Music Across Oregon
- raised over $200,000 in grants and donations
- set up recruiting and management structures for teachers
- remodeled vacant building for use as Ethos headquarters
- started up Ethos Music Mobile initiative which included finding funding for a 1957 American Lafrance Firetruck and 1977 Bristol Double Decker Bus
- Coordinated Ethos’ first Summer Camp
- Created Marketing Materials and organized instrument drives and fundraisers
2) One Full-Time AmeriCorps Member: Adam Reid
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- started Ethos Sound School Assembly program and all ages venue Club Ethos
- remodeled vacant building for use as Ethos headquarters
- taught classes to underserved youth and performed in multicultural music assemblies
- recruited volunteers for instrument drives and community concerts
- set up recording studio for homeless youth and taught students how to use equipment
2002-2004: Program Expansion, Volunteer Recruitment & Management
1) One AmeriCorps*VISTA: Paul Tahlier
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- started Ethos’ The Hip-Hop and Urban Music Project (T.H.U.M.P.) after accessing needs and interest in inner-city Portland.
- designed interactive multicultural Hip-Hop assemblies and instructional materials
- recruited teachers and volunteers for classes on turntablism, breakdancing, mc’ing, beat boxing, and beat making
- helped identify resources and organize fundraisers to to support T.H.U.M.P
2) One Full-time and two Part-time AmeriCorps Members: Adam Reid, Mark Weingarten, & David Coyle
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- recruited and coordinated volunteers
- set up volunteer activities in the community and at Ethos’ headquarters
- set up tracking system for matching teachers and students
- assisted teachers in the classroom and helped gather and disseminate instructional resources to students and instructors
- taught classes to underserved youth in Portland, mainly at pilot locations and drop-in centers
- performed for students in rural communities on the Music Mobile
2007-present: Program Expansion & New Initiatives
1) Ten Rural AmeriCorps Members (Rural Music Facilitators): Nathan Rengstorf (2007-2009), Josh Hollenhorst (2007-2009), Megan Moran (2008-2010), Susan Humphrey (2008-2009), Jami Moore (2009-2011), Clara Hemsteter (2009-2011), Bjorn Carlson (2010-2012), Andrew Meuller (2010-2011), Sei Harris (2010-2012), Joe Baumann (2011-2012), Andrew Arriaga (2011-2012), Sarah Goff (2011-2012), Laurel Crafton (2011-2012), Deidra Montgomery (2011-2012), Andrea Mgebroff (2011-2012) and Sam McKinstry (2011-2012).
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- live and serve in rural communities with populations under 800 people
- plan and teach general music classes to students ages pre-k through high school
- organize and teach afterschool classes to youth and adults
- coordinate volunteers for performances and to serve as classroom aides
- organize one small community fundraiser
- organize student and community performances
2) Four Urban AmeriCorps Members (Music Corps Members): 2009-2010: Audrey Voon, Adam Goodwin, Colin Jenkins, & Robin Margolis
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- help teachers gather resources for classroom use
- work with teacher and staff to document student performances
- help families find appropriate teachers and classes
- plan and lead activities with youth at summer camps
3) Two Roving Music Facilitators (AmeriCorps Members) 2011-2012: Andrea Mgebroff and Sam McKinstry
Sample Activities and Accomplishments:
- Provide music class start up programs for schools with the use of training volunteers to continue the classes.
- Provide workshops for schools and communities.
- Coordinate school guest artist assemblies.
- Teach lessons in core classrooms based on curriculum.
- Organize Music education festival booths including instrument test drives, spontaneous music making booths and hosting open mic and jam session areas.
-
Connect with Ethos Connect with Ethos!
