Big News From the Clay Hunt Fellows Program

Danielle Gilbert

The CHFP is rerouting its course to simplify and grow.

 

We’re talking about a fellowship with a mission to challenge veterans who respond to disasters—yeah, that sounds like an easy task.

Team Rubicon’s Clay Hunt Fellows Program (CHFP), launched in 2012, is named in honor of original Greyshirt and Marine Corps veteran, Clay Hunt who deployed to war and later to Haiti on TR’s first operation. Clay is no longer with us, but his legacy grows with each veteran who passes through the CHFP.

Applications for the next CHFP cohort are open now under a new six-month model known as “Base Camp.”

“When I Joined Team Rubicon, my first interaction with the organization was with a Clay Hunt Fellow on an Op. I noticed his selfless dedication to the mission, things like being the last to bed and the first to rise to ensure the team had everything they needed. It was inspiring,” said CHFP graduate, Ben Kennedy.

CHFP Fellow, and Marine Corps veteran, Ben Kennedy speaking at the CHFP graduation, 2019.

 

Ok, so out with it, what’s going to be different? The core principals and mission of the CHFP will not be changing. Here’s a quick rundown on the new Base Camp model. Rather than having the two alternate tracks (Rebuild and National cohorts) running parallel, we are switching to one, which puts every fellow through the same strengths discovery and self awareness curriculum to build a rock-solid foundation.

By the end of the six-month fellowship, fellows will be better equipped for the rigors of disaster response leadership or their own personal journeys outside of Team Rubicon.

“To me the Clay Hunt Fellows Program isn’t about a job, its about being the best human being I can be, and living as Clay would have, serving as Clay would have, and carrying on his legacy,” Kennedy said after his graduation.

Another CHFP alum, Lisa Smith had this to say about her experience: “The CHFP allowed me to really focus on who I am and who I want to become. It’s challenged me in ways I didn’t think possible and I became a stronger person and leader because of it.”

Future fellows will have the opportunity to work with a department within TR, including on our Rebuild teams, or go forth and carve their own paths.

 

CHFP grad, Courtney Collum, working on Houston Rebuild Operations.

 

I encourage all veterans to consider applying to be a Clay Hunt Fellow, but you can also help create a very positive impact by sharing this information with family and friends who might be a great fit.

“I am a Clay Hunt Fellow, and that’s something I will always cherish, and always strive to stay true to in service and in myself.”

Ben Kennedy

 

Cohort 7 of the Clay Hunt Fellows Program.

 

 

 


 

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