The Homer “Pete” Washington Community Fellowship will select at least one high school senior to be a Fellow in the 2014-2015 fellowship program. Fellows begin their program in the summer as camp counselors at the LeMoyne Community Center and continue as interns and administrative assistants with the William Kellibrew Foundation and partnered organizations.  

Fellows complete their program in three phases over a period of one year. Each phase emphasizes a specific component of community outreach by placing Fellows in varied roles that enable them to gain wide-ranging career experience while making valuable contributions to their community. The program culminates in the final phase, when Fellows are tasked with actualizing what they’ve learned in the first two phases by conceiving, developing, and executing their own community event, program, fundraiser, campaign, and/or initiative.

Phase I - Community Immersion

June to August

Role: Camp Counselor

Fellows begin as counselors in the Camp Challenge summer program at the LeMoyne Community Center. They are immediately immersed into the epicenter of their community, directly engaging youths and working with community stakeholders to maintain a successful summer program. Fellows are tasked with learning:

What are the most important needs and challenges facing my community?

How does my community engage youth?

How are community outreach programs run?

What improvements can be made to current programs and what additional programs should be offered in my community?

Phase II - Organizational Management

September to December

Role: Administrative Intern

After completing their role as counselor, Fellows move on to serve as interns for the William Kellibrew Foundation and the LeMoyne Community Center. In this role, Fellows learn what must be done behind-the-scenes to create, develop, and successfully execute programs like Camp Challenge and Homework & More. Fellows gain valuable career experience when they begin their involvement in various tasks such as organizing, managing, correspondence, and publicity. Fellows are tasked with learning:

How do community-focused organizations operate?

What skills do I need to be successful in administrative work environments?

Phase III - Program Fulfillment

January to May

Role: Junior Director

Fellows complete their program by using the experience and knowledge they’ve gained in the first two phases to commission the successful planning and execution of two of the following: an event, a program, a campaign, and/or fundraiser. With the support of fellowship facilitators, Fellows will be responsible for every step of planning from conception and conclusion realize the fruits of their ideas, experience, and hard work. Fellows are tasked with learning:

How to develop and plan large community-based events, programs, campaigns, etc.

How to develop a programmatic budget.

What are my strengths, weaknesses, and interests?

Compensation, Benefits, & Opportunities

Fellows are compensated through the entire year according to each phase of the fellowship. From June to August, Fellows are paid bi-weekly at an hourly rate that meets or exceeds $7.25/hour, the current rate paid to junior counselors at Camp Challenge. From September to May, Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $200 or depending on time commitment. Fellows are eligible to receive compensation for travel and expenses related to the fellowship.

At the completion of their fellowship, Fellows will receive a book scholarship of an undetermined amount, paid directly to the post-secondary institution that they enroll in.

In addition to compensation, a wide range of opportunities are made available to Fellows, such as invitations to participate in events and programs affiliated with the William Kellibrew Foundation and the LeMoyne Community Center. In the past, WKF has participated in events such as the White House Youth Summit. Opportunities may include:

• Career/college development and support (i.e. consultation, references, etc.)

• Travel to Washington, D.C. for events and programs

• Professional networking

• Published blogs and media

• Membership on WKF’s National Advisory Council upon program completion