January 9, 2003 - Sauk Valley Newspapers: Morocco RPCV Jim Heaton is Peace Corps Fellow works in Community Development in Rock Falls, Illinois
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January 9, 2003 - Sauk Valley Newspapers: Morocco RPCV Jim Heaton is Peace Corps Fellow works in Community Development in Rock Falls, Illinois
Morocco RPCV Jim Heaton is Peace Corps Fellow works in Community Development in Rock Falls, Illinois
Read and comment on this story from the Sauk Valley Newspapers on Morocco RPCV Jim Heaton who works as a Peace Corps Fellow in Community Development in Rock Falls, Illinois.
"In my final Peace Corps days, a group of community members came to me with a truly exciting request. They had formed an association on their own and wanted to learn how to develop sustainable projects, write grant proposals and seek outside financial assistance," he said.
It was during this meeting with the association that Heaton recognized he was involved in his most important project. "I had shown the people what they were capable of, and now I was teaching them to accomplish their goals through sustainable project development. This made me realize I loved what I was doing: successful and sustainable community development," he said. Read the story at:
Peace, man: Rock Falls welcomes another fellow*
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
Peace, man: Rock Falls welcomes another fellow
By Paul Gale
STAFF WRITER
Published: Thursday, January 9, 2003
ROCK FALLS — The city's new Peace Corps fellow, Jim Heaton, is looking forward to focusing on a master plan for the riverfront.
"I'm sure we are going to see a lot of progress," he said during an interview Wednesday afternoon.
Heaton brings four years of community development and nonprofit experience to Rock Falls. He started with the Rock Falls Community Development Corp. on Monday and will be spending 11 months here.
"I like Rock Falls so far. It's been fantastic," said Heaton, who especially likes the parks and the Rock River.
Heaton must complete the 11-month internship to get his master's degree through Western Illinois University in a program administered by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.
Fellows are graduate students at WIU who gain additional experience through work in communities like Rock Falls. Heaton recently completed coursework for his master's degree in economics and certificate in community development at WIU.
He earned a zoology degree at the University of California at Santa Barbara, then served in Morocco with the Peace Corps between 1998 and 2000. Heaton said he and his counterparts accomplished many things in Morocco, including the construction of a two-classroom school and the construction of a bridge.
Heaton also helped with planting fruit and nut trees in an effort to fight erosion and provide sustenance.
"In my final Peace Corps days, a group of community members came to me with a truly exciting request. They had formed an association on their own and wanted to learn how to develop sustainable projects, write grant proposals and seek outside financial assistance," he said.
In was during meeting with the association that Heaton recognized he was involved in his most important project.
"I had shown the people what they were capable of, and now I was teaching them to accomplish their goals through sustainable project development. This made me realize I loved what I was doing: successful and sustainable community development," he said.
After returning from Morocco, Heaton and his wife, Brittany, settled in San Diego, where he was a grant writer for the Foundation for Children of the Californias.
Because Brittany is finished with her coursework in geography and planning to become a Peace Corps fellow at Western Illinois University, Heaton said it will be tough to be apart from her while she is in school.
"We have been in this situation before with less communication and access to transportation. I am extremely lucky to have found someone as dedicated as myself to the field of community and sustainable development and anxious to make it part of our future," Heaton said.
It's unusual for a community to have had two Peace Corps fellows, he said.
"It shows the community has a desire to affect change," Heaton said.
Heaton will be asked to help with the development of the old limestone building on the riverfront. While he doesn't know much of its history, Heaton said, "It's a great building in a great location."
As for Brownsfield grants to clean up former industrial property, Heaton said he doesn't know how he or the corporation will be involved yet.
Copyright 2002 Sauk Valley Newspapers
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Morocco; Special Interests - Peace Corps Fellows; Special Interests - Community Development
PCOL1876
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Lotfi lamrani.
Morocco.
congratulations, I apreciate Peace Corps actions and I would like to get informations on how to become an active partener in community development with your organisme.
Thanks,
Best regards!
Lotfi lamrani.
Morocco.
congratulations, I apreciate Peace Corps actions and I would like to get informations on how to become an active partener in community development with your organisme.
Thanks,
Best regards!
Hi everyone,
More than 2 years have passed since I sent my first message of appreciation to PC Orgnasation and my feeling has grown consideraly.especialy after meeting and collaborating with some PCV in Morocco.
For an idea about my exciting experiences, please visit : thebridgeofcultures.over-blog.net.over-blog.net. Thank you.
HAND IN HAND WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERANCE.
Lotfi Lamrani.
