Forever Free Pilot Mentoring Program

The West Des Moines Historical Society is accepting applications for high level high school Juniors or Seniors and college student interns to participate in a new project, “Forever Free Pilot Mentoring Program.” This project is funded through a rant from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and presented in partnership with National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

The objective of the program is to bring community mentors and students together to uncover and document the history of the Underground Railroad in selected Iowa communities. It will culminate with the submission of a nomination of eligible sites to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (NTF).

Students will have the unique opportunity to experience history by actively uncovering information that will shed light on the UGRR, and in some cases discover or re-write histories. Students will gain experience in critical thinking analysis, writing and preservation. Upon acceptance of site submission, students will receive a $500 stipend.

For full program description, please see Forever Free Internship description. Application form can be found Forever Free intern application.

Applications are due December 30, 2020.