UW’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute Receives AmeriCorps Grant, Invites Partnerships

The Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute at the University of Wyoming has been awarded an AmeriCorps planning grant from Serve Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon's Commission on Service and Volunteerism, to develop a service-based program to strengthen Wyoming's outdoor recreation and tourism economy.

The institute is seeking partners across the state to help shape and participate in the initiative.

The $84,999 grant supports the design of a future AmeriCorps program that will place members in communities to address workforce needs, expand organizational capacity and advance locally identified priorities in tourism, hospitality and outdoor recreation. AmeriCorps members will serve on this initiative to address this critical need and, at the end of their service terms, Serve Wyoming will provide the members with an education award.

As part of this effort, the WORTH Institute is inviting destination marketing organizations, chambers of commerce, local governments, nonprofits and industry partners across Wyoming to engage in the planning process and express interest in potentially hosting AmeriCorps members.

"This is not just a planning effort; it's an opportunity to co-create a program with communities across Wyoming," says Dan McCoy, director of the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute. "We are looking for partners who see a need, have ideas and want to explore how an AmeriCorps member could support their work on the ground."

AmeriCorps planning grants fund the development of new programs through stakeholder engagement, partnership building and structured program design grounded in measurable outcomes. This includes aligning community-identified needs with clearly defined service activities and expected results.

Through this process, the WORTH Institute will work with interested organizations to identify priority challenges and opportunities, such as workforce development; visitor management; destination stewardship and development; and community capacity to explore how AmeriCorps members could be deployed to support those efforts.

"We know that the most effective programs are built from the ground up," McCoy says. "If your organization is navigating growth, workforce challenges or community opportunities related to tourism and recreation, we want to hear from you. This is a chance to help design a program that directly benefits your community."

Organizations interested in learning more, sharing ideas or exploring opportunities to serve as future host sites are encouraged to contact the WORTH Institute. Call McCoy at (307) 766-5009 or email [email protected].

The planning process will take place over the coming months, with the goal of submitting a full AmeriCorps operational grant proposal in next year's funding cycle.

The Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute works to expand and diversify Wyoming's economy through research, workforce development and statewide engagement in outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality.

For more information about the planning grant or to find out more, visit https://www.uwyo.edu/worth/education-services/rator-americorps-page.html.