Knox College students and recent graduates continue to contribute to the well-being of the Galesburg community by serving in the KnoxCorps civic engagement program.

Individuals who are selected for KnoxCorps collaborate with local nonprofit organizations, assisting with community programs and projects. At the same time, KnoxCorps members develop professional skills and gain workplace experience.

Samuel Chen '16, a KnoxCorps fellow serving with the Knox County Health Department, said he wanted to serve in the program because he plans on a career in health care.

KnoxCorps offers "a great opportunity to gain a lot of experience with the public health sector and health education," said Chen, who has been teaching about hygiene, dental care, and other health issues in Galesburg schools.

"I hope that this work will make a difference in improving the general health and well-being of the community," Chen said. "Hospitals are crucial for curing ailments, but health education is a preventative measure that can reduce the risk of such issues from occurring in the community."

Shresha Karmacharya '17, a KnoxCorps associate serving with the Knox Prairie Community Kitchen (KPCK), said she wanted to be part of KnoxCorps "because I wanted to indulge myself in the community that I was going to spend my undergraduate career in, and give something back to this beautiful host town." (Photo above: Shresha Karmacharya works at a KPCK community dinner.)

KPCK is a special program, she said, adding: "It not only serves food to those who come to dinners, but because it is a great way of building community and coming together to tackle other large-scale issues that deal with addressing problems of food security, food waste, and the like."

KnoxCorps, now in its fifth year, launched during the 2012-13 academic year as an initiative of Knox President Teresa Amott in cooperation with the Galesburg Community Foundation. It is inspired by other well-known service programs: Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.

Recent Knox graduates are eligible to serve as KnoxCorps fellows, who earn a stipend while on their 10-month assignments. Current undergraduate students are eligible to serve as KnoxCorps associates, who make two-year commitments to volunteer off-campus at least eight hours a week.

KnoxCorps attracts backing from the Galesburg community and beyond. The program recently received a $10,000 grant from PNC Bank to support the purchase of the KnoxCorps electric vehicle. KnoxCorps also received a $10,000 grant from the Jenzabar Foundation to support student associates this year.

KnoxCorps members for the 2016-17 academic year are:

Fellows

• Lindsey Morgan '16, Galesburg Public Schools Foundation Fellow serving Galesburg School District 205.
• Samuel Chen '16, Knox County Health Department Fellow serving Knox County Health Department.
• Niki Acton '16, KnoxCorps Fellow serving Orpheum Theatre and Prairie Players Civic Theatre.

Associates

• Raeann Boero '17, KnoxCorps Associate serving CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Knox County).
• Almira Karajic '17, KnoxCorps Associate serving Carl Sandburg College.
• Emily Hagerott '19, KnoxCorps Associate serving the Downtown Council.
• Karen Caballero '18, KnoxCorps Associate serving FISH Food Pantry.
• Victoria Martin '17, KnoxCorps Associate serving Galesburg Civic Art Center.
• Rashika Bahl '18, KnoxCorps Associate serving the Galesburg Public Library Foundation.
• Shresha Karmacharya '17, KnoxCorps Associate serving Knox Prairie Community Kitchen.
• Monika Kopec '17, KnoxCorps Associate serving the YMCA of Knox County.