The Oceana Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Alicia Ortega has accepted the position as our new AmeriCorps member serving the Foundation and Oceana College Access Network! (OCAN). Alicia is excited to utilize her knowledge in marketing and apply her efforts towards helping both organizations. Alicia graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2023, where she studied business and received her degrees in Marketing, Logistics Management and Spanish.
Alicia has previous experience working within a nonprofit organization. During her time at CMU, Alicia completed an internship abroad in Dublin, Ireland, as a Marketing Intern for Common Purpose Ireland. There she developed her networking and event management skills while helping the company maintain their global branding.
Alicia is a 2019 Shelby High School graduate, and as a former recipient of an Oceana Community Foundation Scholarship herself, she is excited to plan and implement outreach programs and tools to connect the organization with the community and promote its mission and services.
“I am very enthusiastic to have this opportunity to not only grow as a professional but also give back to my community and provide resources to families like mine. As a first generation Mexican American and college graduate, it has been a hard, yet incredible, learning curve. I can relate to and sympathize with many students who are in similar positions as my family. I am excited to connect with my community and provide an easier transition for families in Oceana. I am honored to have the opportunity to work closely with OCAN and the Foundation. I am looking forward to learning all that I can in this new position as the AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator.” Alicia said.
The Foundation exists to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana by leading, promoting and channeling philanthropy to connect resources with needs. The Foundation receives and manages contributions from people and organizations and has provided over $12 million in grants and scholarships back to the community since 1989.
Working with the Foundation will provide Alicia with an opportunity to continue working within a nonprofit organization while connecting with the community as a professional. Alicia will work with OCAN to help ensure students are prepared and have access to post-secondary education.
OCAN is a collaborative of K-12 schools, businesses, colleges, and organizations focused on ensuring all Oceana residents have resources to pursue and complete post-secondary education. The Network strives to build a culture focused on post-secondary education awareness, access, and attainment to build and sustain a vibrant local economy and help alleviate poverty and prove an educated and trained workforce.
The Foundation and OCAN have hosted six different AmeriCorps members in partnership with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM). CEDAM’s AmeriCorps program connects local and statewide agencies to meet neighbors’ critical needs. Members create community, build capacity, and serve communities across Michigan.
CEDAM’s program advances equity in two ways: cultivating the new generation of leaders in the community economic development field and supporting economic inclusion for Michiganders. Tammy Carey, Foundation CEO, says, “Our members have served a critical role in our organization to expand capacity and to develop specific programs over the years. The organization benefits from their laser focus on growing specific programs, and the members benefit from the opportunity to grow skills, relationships and experience community development.” Alicia will be the 7th AmeriCorps member hosted by the Foundation and can be reached via email at alicia@oceanafoundation.org or by calling the Foundation office at 231-869-3377.
The Oceana Community Foundation was founded in 1989 by community leaders who envisioned a bright future for Oceana County. The Oceana CAN! program was initiated by the Foundation in 2012 as a leadership initiative, and the Foundation continues to provide fiscal oversight to the Network. The Foundation serves as a bridge to connect philanthropy with community needs or opportunities and envisions an Oceana where everyone has access to resources to thrive.
