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NEWS

Podcasts

• Rachel Gelenius, Arts on the Block
• Renee Johnson, Seedco
• Rachel Levy, Saving Our Sisters
• Laura Aceituno talks about "Destination AmeriCorps"
• Sarah Ritter, Parks and People Foundation
• Sarah League Asks if You Have What it Takes
• Lauren Mulcahy, VISTA Leader
• Jennifer Calub, Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County

Class Results

• Volunteer Maryland Class 21
• Volunteer Maryland Class 20
• Volunteer Maryland Class 19

Recent Newsletters

• VMail - May 2010
• VMail - March 2010
• VMail - November 2009
• VMail - July 2009
• VMail - May 2009
• VMail - February 2009

STORIES

• Service for Life!
• Improving the Environment One Mind at a Time
• Gaining Experience and Continuing to Serve
• "Short Takes on a Year of Service

Service for Life!

Katie Arnston knew since junior high school that when she grew up, she was going to help people. After graduating from college, Katie was ready to act on her goal, and moved from Oregon to become a part of Volunteer Maryland. Katie was looking forward to living in a big city, and learning about the needs of the community, and social service agencies in Maryland.

Katie was matched with the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition (SSIHC) to grow a volunteer program serving individuals and families moving from homelessness to independence through a transitional housing program. A huge need for SSIHC was the ability to furnish the apartments for the clients and to manage the furniture donation process. Katie and her volunteers became experts at resource leveraging, spending many hours matching donors and residents, and then coordinating deliveries. Over $4,000 worth of furniture, clothing and household goods was donated to 56 residents turning their transitional housing into homes.

Improving the Environment One Mind at a Time

Zach Thomas had always been an environmentalist, seeking a life that was connected to the natural world. It was this goal that brought Zach to the West/Rhode Riverkeepers. Moving to Maryland after living in an off-the-grid environmental community where he learned organic gardening and constructed a “green” building, Zach was ready to face the challenges of a troubled river system and engage the residents of the watershed in stewardship of their river home. Zach went beyond getting people out to pick-up trash. He created opportunities for residents to learn more about environmental issues and begin thinking about the health and importance of the West and Rhode Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

On winter evening, Zach hosted a movie night showing “The Green Monster. It Came from the River.” The film discussed the environmental damage that occurred on the St. John’s River in the summer of 2005. The entire river turned lime green as an inch of blue-green algae spanned hundreds of miles. After the film there were many questions about blue-green algae. “Could this happen in Maryland?” “What happened to crabbing industry in Florida?” After the question and answer session, a gentleman approached Zach and told him that he would like some information to send to friends because he grew up on St. John’s River! He seemed sad and said, “We didn’t know this would happen. “I like to think that with that one showing, we affected a number of people. Changing the way one cares for lawns or purchases products makes a big difference.”

Gaining Experience and Continuing to Serve

As an advisor to Volunteer Frederick’s Youth Action Corps, April Brohawn recruited members, wrote grant proposals, and planned and supervised service projects during her VISTA term. Two months before completing her year, April used her leave time to visit some friends in North Carolina. Immediately, April noticed how much she had grown since graduating from college the previous spring. One of her friends was getting married, several others graduating, and some still in school, April was the only who had been out of school for a year. After catching up and talking about future plans with her friends, April reflected on the reasons she chose to become a VISTA member.

“I remember thinking that everyone else had it all together and was ready for a routine and I was screaming at the top of my lungs that I wasn’t ready to be tied down. There were so many things I wanted to do, see, and experience in life before I got comfortable with a job. I look back and realize how jealous I was that those who graduated with me had all made these great plans, but I realize I made the better choice.”

“I second guessed being a VISTA on many occasions, but it was worth the struggles, the hardships, and the frustrations. I’ve gotten so much out of my year that it was natural to choose to apply for another year. Through VISTA I have been able to impact a community and meet some amazing youth who will change the lives of others. This experience has been so worthwhile and I will be sad to leave. However, I look forward to the challenges that await me at my next VISTA position!”

Short Takes on a Year of Service!
Some final thoughts from VM Coordinators and VISTA members as they reflected on their service year:

“The best part of being an AmeriCorps*VISTA member is knowing that I am part of a much larger legacy of service and volunteerism. Everyone associated with AmeriCorps works hard to make this country a better place.”

"I could not have asked for a better experience. I learned more in one year than I did in my 20 or so years as a student."

"At the end of a day of construction at the site I had the opportunity of a lifetime. I was able to toss a baseball with one of the boys who would be moving into the house that volunteers were constructing. Growing up, I took for granted such simple pleasures of life. [The boy] couldn't participate in this rite of passage while living in his previous apartment. It made me realize that we were providing more than just shelter for a family. This home would allow all members of the family the opportunity to grow and develop."

"I have been a facilitator, attended Board meetings, acted on planning committees, networked, met government officials, managed a program, and the list goes on."

“I applied to be an AmeriCorps*VISTA member because it is a great experience to serve your country and community while gaining valuable life experiences and skills. AmeriCorps*VISTA offered experience in fields that are otherwise difficult to enter being a recent college graduate and I am learning things and being able to do things I couldn't at your run-of-the-mill entry level job. VISTA was an awesome opportunity to serve and learn.”

"I feel luckiest for having met such wonderful and amazing people. It is incredible how an extremely diverse group of people can come together to support each other, learn with and from one another, and enable each other to grow as individuals."

"It is difficult to boil a year of service down to certain events, but I think that if any one thing stands out in my memory, it would have to be when a few of the clients told me (when they were getting ready to leave the shelter) that when they really get back on their feet, they want to come back and volunteer. They feel so grateful for the many people who do so much to give them a place to stay, that they want to be able to give back and do the same thing."