Popcorn at the Tiny Theater
Frank Riley, along with Robert Lees, created a community website for volunteers as part of their Delicate Balance project. Riley currently runs the website as part of his work-study position as a tour guide for the college. “Basically, I am trying to network with the town and school to get people volunteering to build community,” Riley states. For example, after hearing about the Tiny Theater on Main Street, Riley used the website as a way to get volunteers to help set up for the grand opening.
“I think that having the theater in the town is a great way to connect the student body with the Poultney community,” Riley states. After going to a town and gown meeting, he saw that the Poultney community was showing concern that students don’t spend enough time in town. He saw that helping with the theater in the town was a great way to close the gap between the two communities.
Having the theater in the town will help promote local business. Riley states, “The town has been very supportive and each business owner has been working to promote the success of the theater. Another benefit is that it will also bring the students in to the town, to support the businesses.”
The reason Riley got into this project is because he is really interested in community development. He plans to pursue a career in this kind of field by joining AmeriCorps after graduating from Green Mountain. www.greenmtn.edu/volunteer_poultney.aspx.
