Ruby Ackermann

Email: americorps@elktonbutterflies.com
Title: Wellness Advocate
Organization: Elkton Community Education Center
Community: Elkton
Population: 195
County Served: Douglas

Meet Ruby Ackermann:

Ruby has spent most of her life in rural Oregon. She grew up in Philomath and made the not-so-long journey to Corvallis where she earned her Bachelor’s in Public Health. She is especially interested in infant and maternal health, which is why she is in the process of becoming a Traditional Health Worker Birth Doula. Her end goal is to become a Certified Professional Midwife. Before she settles down with that, Ruby wants to have the opportunity to give back to rural Oregon, while implementing her public health knowledge and skills and gaining non-profit experience.

She is really excited to continue getting to know the amazing people in Elkton. Ruby says everyone has been so welcoming, supportive, open, and kind. In her free time she loves to read or listen to audiobooks/music, cook/bake, go on walks, rollerblade with her friends, and watch movies.

Community and Organization:

Elkton, Oregon, is a small rural community located in Douglas County in the southwestern part of the state. The town has a tight-knit population of approximately 200 residents. Elkton is nestled in the picturesque Umpqua River Valley, surrounded by lush forests, and offers a peaceful and scenic living environment.

The Elkton Community Education Center (ECEC) plays a vital role in this small community. ECEC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational and community-building opportunities for the residents of Elkton and the surrounding areas. The center’s work has been instrumental in addressing the needs and interests of this close-knit community. ECEC often offers adult education classes, workshops, and other services to help residents enhance their skills and knowledge in various subjects, including computer literacy, art, wellness, and more. They also host community events, support local art and culture, environmental initiatives, youth employment programs, and provide many resources.

Projects:

Over the course of the next year, Ruby will be working on various projects related to health and wellness as part of the Wellness Initiative at the ECEC to increase resources for the medically underserved community of Elkton. She will be engaging seniors and families with young children in activities that promote wellness, creating a health and wellness resource library, developing tools to help residents learn more about and access other community services that support health and well-being (telehealth, OHP/SNAP application, and information and referrals assistance), recruiting visiting service providers to expand wellness services in Elkton, and assisting in securing funding for future wellness programs.