Chinook
Program Description
The rural town of Chinook is located in north-central Montana’s Hi-line and has a population of approximately 1200. Chinook is an agricultural-based community; grain farming and cattle ranching are the predominant industries. Chinook is the county seat of Blaine County, population 6500. While the majority of Chinook’s population is Caucasian, half the residents of Blaine County are Native American. The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is 25 miles to the east, and the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation is 50 miles to the southwest (in Hill County). The site of Chief Joseph’s famous surrender after his Nez Perce tribe’s 1500 mile fighting retreat is located south of Chinook at the Bear Paw Battlefield.
Chinook is home to eight churches, many of whom have begun working together over the past few years. This ecumenical unity has spawned several exciting projects in town. The churches have partnered to create a community youth group, a summer lunch and activity program, and several local mission projects since 2009. The Young Adult Volunteers will participate in these ministries, and will support our community of churches’ efforts to expand our united outreach to children, youth, and senior citizens.
Three Young Adult Volunteers will support our community of churches’ efforts to expand our united outreach to children, youth, and senior citizens in a variety of formal and informal environments.
Placement Opportunities
- Children-The volunteer will be working with kindergarten – 6th grade children in a variety of settings including a leadership role at a weekly outreach ministry and tutoring at the Elementary School.
- Youth-The volunteer will be working with teens in a variety of settings including a leadership role at an ecumenical community Christian youth group and tutoring at the Jr. High/High School.
- Senior Adult- The volunteer will work with older adults in the Sweet Nursing Home, Grande Villa housing, and Chinook Senior Center.
Housing
- Hi-Line volunteers live together in a house in Chinook within walking distance of all volunteer sites.
Requirements
- Age: 19-30
- Education: high school, college desirable
- National background check
Intentional Community Aspects
All activities center on both the gifts of the volunteers and the needs of the site. Volunteers will have multiple levels of community support, the house community of the other volunteers, site supervisors, personal mentors, site coordinator and local board of directors. Volunteers will participate in spiritual and vocational discernment programs with the site coordinator and spiritual directors.
Site Coordinator
Jack Mattingly