WASHINGTON -
U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced today that the Village of Santa Clara will receive a team of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members to support efforts to restore buildings and historic sites at Fort Bayard, foster community outreach, and provide food security to low income families and seniors with the Volunteer Center of Grant County.
"Historic Fort Bayard holds economic and cultural promise for the residents of Santa Clara and Grant County," Udall said. "This AmeriCorps program to restore and renovate buildings at Fort Bayard and provide food to impoverished and vulnerable individuals in the community will have a real, positive impact for the students, families and seniors of Grant County. I salute every AmeriCorps member on this team for their dedication to helping our New Mexico communities prosper and grow."
For three months, beginning in April, the AmeriCorps members will repair and restore buildings and historic sites at Fort Bayard by constructing and improving walkways and trails, securing windows and doors, and renovating storage areas. Additionally, the team will provide community and educational outreach to foster support and understanding of the cultural and historic significance of Fort Bayard and work with the Grant County Volunteer Center to maintain a community garden and manage youth groups working with the center. The members will also distribute food to low income families and seniors.
The AmeriCorps NCCC members serving through these projects will join the more than 4,500 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members serving throughout New Mexico. Since the program's inception in 1994, more than 10,000 New Mexico residents have served as AmeriCorps members, giving more than 12 million hours of service to America and earning more than $25.2 million in scholarships for their service.
Fort Bayard was established and garrisoned by the Buffalo Soldiers after the Civil War. Although it initially served to protect miners and other settlers along the Apache Trail, the post has played many roles in its history. After the capture of Geronimo, Fort Bayard was transformed into an Army tuberculosis hospital and research center. During World War II, a portion of the site was reactivated to hold German prisoners of war. The fort is now owned by the state, but it has fallen into disrepair. The AmeriCorps volunteers will be part of the first significant effort to save 12 historic buildings identified as in critical need of restoration.
