The Community Outreach Liaison Program was established in 2000 to enhance communication between NSEDC and its member communities. NSEDC has a designated Community Outreach Liaison (Liaison) position in thirteen of NSEDC's fifteen member communities, with offices in Unalakleet and Nome as resources for the two remaining member communities.

As part-time and hired on a contractual basis, Liaisons convey information about NSEDC, the availability of specific NSEDC programs to residents, and help facilitate participation in the Education, Employment and Training (EET) Program. The Liaisons also attend community meetings such as those held by the City Council, IRA, or village corporation, in order to keep informed about issues in the community and provide information to the community about NSEDC.

The Liaisons prepare written activity reports for the Community Development Coordinator (CDC) on a monthly basis describing the outreach activities and reporting on current events and issues in the community. Liaisons also provide special verbal or written reports to the CDC for projects sponsored by NSEDC and for publications such as the NSEDC newsletter, annual report, web site and other distribution materials.

Community Outreach Liaisons

The Community Outreach Program was further expanded in 2001 to include funding for drug and alcohol abuse prevention activities. This aspect of the program provides support and funding to qualified organizations serving the region for the purpose of approved drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs and projects. 

In 2002, NSEDC supported the "2002 Youth Fishing Project," which promoted community wide spring clean-up in each of NSEDC's member communities. NSEDC provided a fishing rod and reel as an incentive to each child who participated in the spring clean-up and it included a regional Humpy Derby sponsored by Nome Outfitters. Bering Air in Nome also supported this project by delivering the fishing rods and reels to each community. The outreach message not only promoted pride in their community, but enforced the old adage, "Feed a child a fish, he is fed for a day; teach a child to fish, he is fed for a lifetime."

In 2005, NSEDC established the Little Dribblers Program.  The NSEDC Board of Directors approved $3,000 for each member community school site, as well as Shishmaref, for a Little Dribblers elementary school basketball program.  Basketball is a favorite sports activity in the Norton Sound region and it provides a healthy alternative to drugs, alcohol and delinquency.  Through this funding, NSEDC has helped develop elementary basketball programs, which are popular amongst the youth, adults and elders alike. 

 For more information contact:

Roy Ashenfelter
Community Development Coordinator

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