Thank You, Summer 2020!

This summer in Fairbanks looked different for a lot of reasons. We appreciate our summer associates sticking in there and working through challenges.
They have accomplished much in only 10 short weeks.

The Fairbanks community appreciates the difference you all have made!

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Caitlin Amburgey , ​Children's Museum

In her own words: "This was my first time ever working from home, and I'm so glad it was through my VISTA assignment with the Fairbanks Children's Museum. I spent the summer creating new curriculum for children on special topics in History, Language Arts, Science and Diversity. While the museum was closed and I was working all the way from Nevada, I've never felt closer to the staff at FCM. They were welcoming, communicative and flexible with my unique circumstances. I hope to complete an in person VISTA assignment sometime soon!"

Her impact: "Caitlin worked remotely due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and from nearly 3000 miles away, she created new inclusive content for the Fairbanks Children's Museum to use in the coming years. She designed curriculum focused on American Sign Language, Black History Month, Women's History Month, and many more topics. She also created social media content to increase our reach to families in the Fairbanks area in a helpful and productive way amidst a pandemic." - Meredith Maple, executive director

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Taryn Williams, Children's Museum

In her own words: "The Fairbanks Children's Museum immediately felt like home for me; the staff was passionate and knowledgeable and embraced me as a member of the team from the first moment I arrived. I was able to implement curricula in a multitude of areas and, throughout the summer, I worked with approximately fifty children who were enthusiastic about the material and who taught me new things as well. Spending the last ten weeks here was incredibly fulfilling and it was an experience that I certainly won't forget."

Her impact: "Taryn made it to Fairbanks amidst a pandemic and led summer camps for the bulk of the summer, providing deeply needed childcare to our community and giving an amazing opportunity to many kids during a time of unknowns. Her teaching style is restorative-justice focused and will now be incorporated in education at the museum. Her broad range of expertise and teaching experience will leave a lasting impact on the Fairbanks Children's Museum." - Meredith Maple, executive director

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Max Herz, Boys & Girls Club

In his own words: "I am so happy to have been part of such an amazing team at the Boys and Girls Club of Fairbanks. The work being done by BGC is so important for positive youth development and I am thankful that I got to be a small part of that mission. I will miss bonding and mentoring the kids on a daily basis and wish them luck in their future endeavors."

​Amyaa Edwards-Davis,
​Boys & Girls Club

Their impact: "Max and Amyaa built positive relationships with youth at BGC Fairbanks. They facilitated fun games and programs to reduce summer learning loss. Their work at BGC helped ensure that our youth enjoyed their summer despite the COVID pandemic.  We are excited to welcome Amyaa to our permanent team, and we wish Max the best in his senior year at college in Ohio. Thanks to Max and Amyaa for spending your summer with BGC Fairbanks and our Members!" - Amy Reggiani, executive directori

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Daisy Morotti,
​Bread Line

Her impact: "Daisy Morotti has been a boon to the Bread Line in more ways than we ever could have anticipated. She stepped right up at the Stone Soup Community Garden. Her gardening talents are well evident in each of our 50 raised beds, as they flourished into the lushest bounty our little garden has ever seen. Daisy fit right into our team. At the Stone Soup Cafe, she served free, hot food to Fairbanks' most vulnerable neighbors every weekday morning during her time with us. Also, Daisy has been hard at work crafting a seasonal curriculum for our youth volunteering program, the Kid's Cafe. All of Daisy's big & heartfelt work has deepened the Bread Line's positive impact in Fairbanks. Her compassion, fortitude, generosity & attitude have made our days brighter & work easier - it's been an absolute joy having Daisy as our summer VISTA." - Hannah Hill, executive director