Blake Montana Heldt-Werle is pictured with his basketball team.

Our Utah AmeriCorps Member of the Month is Blake Montana Heldt-Werle. Blake has displayed outstanding commitment to service and his excellent work with Academy Park Elementary over the past two years. Blake has not only provided exceptional service to his school, but also put them on the path to sustainability. Academy Park is the first Playworks school to voluntarily request a reduction in services from having a full time Playworks Coach to a part time service that will require more active commitment from the school. Their willingness to move in that direction is a testament to the incredible work Blake has done.

When asked about his service, Blake said, "What I like most about serving with Americorps are the dedicated, passionate, and hard-working people that I have the privilege of calling my colleagues. Everyday I am continually inspired by my Playworks family and the innovative ways they discover to positively influence the children we work with. Very few of my successes during my two terms of service with Americorps have been novelty ideas, but rather adaptations to the brilliance of those around me. The genuine support, kindness, and professionalism I have experienced as an Americorps member with Playworks is incomparable and irreplaceable."

AmeriCorps, also known as the Domestic Peace Corps, engages thousands of Americans nationwide in intensive, results-driven service in areas of education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve for up to a year and receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, and training.