True North AmeriCorps is an AmeriCorps state program that has been serving Northeastern Minnesota since September 2004. Each year the program places AmeriCorps members at nonprofit organizations to serve their community for one year.

True North AmeriCorps members make a difference by serving youth in the areas of tutoring, mentoring and after-school programs. In addition, members mobilize volunteers within their host site, engage civically in the community, and design and implement service projects.

The position of Student Success Advocate is a new one to the Duluth Public Schools. There are SSA's serving in every Duluth public school and in some private ones as well.

Our purpose is to tutor and mentor the students at Lowell Elementary, mobilize volunteers for classrooms and special events, and facilitate Service Learning projects. Most importantly we are here to support students in the capacity teachers feel students will benefit the most from.  We can work with individual students or small groups in or out of the classroom setting. We work with students who are on our case loads.

We have already forecasted many volunteer opportunities and would love for you to come assist us. If you would like to volunteer in any capacity, please feel free to call or e-mail Christy (the Volunteer Coordinator) at 218-336-8895 or christianna.blommel@duluth.k12.mn.us

I came to the Duluth/Superior area in 2008 to pursue a degree at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. This past spring I graduated with a B.S. in Economics and Mathematics and a minor in Global Studies. I hope to continue my education but first I wanted to get some different experiences to help me determine what career path I would like to venture down. I joined True North AmeriCorps for many different reasons but a few of the main ones are that I love to work with children and I have a passion for helping others. At Lowell I am the Service Learning Coordinator and I work with the 4 ^th graders on reading and math. In addition to working in the classrooms and working with students one-on-one and in small groups I also help with homework and clubs in the afterschool program, K.E.Y. Zone. I enjoy traveling, reading, hiking and tap dancing.

I came to Duluth in 2008 to pursue a degree at the College of St. Scholastica .  This spring I will graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Art. I intend to continue my education in the field of Occupational Therapy. However, I am on the waitlist for my masters so I decided to join True North AmeriCorps. Children are my passion and my hope for this year is to discern if an elementary school setting is the right career direction for me. At Lowell I am the Volunteer Coordinator (talk to me if you'd like to volunteer), and I have been working in the 3rd grade classrooms at reading and math time. I will also be helping with homework/clubs during Key Zone after school and the school store. I enjoy cooking, sewing and live with four girls including my younger sister!