THE VISTA VERSE Volume 2 Issue 9

The Vista

Verse

SEPTEMBER 2012 IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome & Introduction to new VISTA members!

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Very Valuable VISTA: Alexandra Walker, Global Refugee Center

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Upcoming – don’t miss these great events!

September 28, 2012 Visit www.unitedway-weld.org

for more information and to volunteer!

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 9 2

Longs Peak Council, Boy Scouts of America joined the United Way of Weld County VISTA Project in August 2012.

The programs of the BSA are focused on the individual youth and the encouragement of their individual success. By focusing on each individual youth member we can guide them and prepare them in a method that is accommodating to their learning style. Studies have shown that boys who were Scouts for three or more years as a youth go on to graduate from high school, achieve better paying jobs, and are more satisfied with their career and life choices. Because of this higher level of education, the Boy Scouts can help youth be self-sufficient, better educated, healthier nourished, and all around positive contributing adults.

Grant, the first VISTA at the Arc of Weld County, will build capacity and sustainability through developing programs and fundraising.

For more information on Longs Peak Council, please visit www.longspeakcouncilbsa.org.

September 13 - Fall Soups Cooking Class at Weld Food Bank by Chef Jason Kearns from UNC Dining Services. For more information contact: victoria@weldfoodbank.org.

September 14 – Weld Food Bank 30th Anniversary Party! The festivities will take place on Friday September 14th at the food bank from 5-7p.m. Stop by and enjoy some sweet tunes from 80's Retro Tribute Band. In honor of 30 years we will be selling 30 cent hot dogs, chips, sodas, snow cones, and cotton candy. September 14 – Friday Fest w/ Gumbo LeFunque, 6PM Downtown Greeley FREE Movie at the Kress: Smokey and the Bandit, 9:30PM

September 15 - Come support Suicide Education and Support Services fort the 3k walk/run at Twilight at Bittersweet Park. For more information contact: jodi.mccarthy@northrange.org.

September 20 – First Annual SAVA Soiree. Enjoy complimentary dinner and drinks with a raffle and mystery box giveaway. Fort Collins Hilton, 6:00-8:00PM

September 21 – Friday Fest "My Favorite Bands" Kick-off, 6PM Downtown Greeley Free Movie at the Kress: Lethal Weapon, 9:30PM

September 27 – VISTA Monthly Meeting, United Way, 9:00am

September 28 – Weld Project Connect. Weld Project Connect is an annual, one-day event providing

numerous on-site services directly to individuals and households struggling and in need due to foreclosure, job loss, age, health

problems and other issues that can interrupt life.. This event brings volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels together to serve people in Weld County. To register visit: www.unitedway-weld.org

September 28 - Bread Making Class at Weld Food Bank by bakers Matt and Tamara Cramer of Cramer's Handmade Bread Company. For more information contact: victoria@weldfoodbank.org

September 28 – Oktoberfest in Lincoln Park, 5:00-11:00PM

September 30 – FREE Movie at the Kress: Cool Hand Luke

NEW AGENCY

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

September 22: Happy birthday to VISTA Christina McKasy of Promises for Children!

Happening in September

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 9 3

Erin

Erin is serving in Outreach and Foundation at High Plains Library District. Born in Atlanta, Erin

graduated from Oberlin College and recently returned to the US after spending two years studying and teaching in Hamburg, Germany. Her hobbies include running, reading, and classical music. At the end of her Vista year she hopes to join the Foreign Service.

Jenny

Jenny is the volunteer coordinator and outreach VISTA at A Woman’s Place, Inc. She is from Reading, Pennsylvania. This past May, Jenny graduated from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Studio Art. She started volunteering at women’s shelters in college, and is happy to continue her service in an even bigger capacity in Colorado. Outside of being a VISTA, Jenny enjoys cooking, nature, books, drawing, gardening, and fitness.

Grant

I recently graduated high school from Greeley Central High School, (Yes, that big castle looking building on 16th st.) after which I received my Eagle Scout Rank in the Boy Scouts of America. I worked as an IT technician for Crocs Inc. (Yes the shoe company) for about a year before I was called to serve in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) where I traveled with a team of 10 other people in a 15 passenger van to Lakeside, CA, Reno, NV, Santa Catalina Island, CA, Portland, OR, and The Presidio in San Francisco, CA. I served for about 1-2 months at each location. I stumbled on AmeriCorps Vista for the Boy Scouts of America and figured it would be the perfect transition from living away from home for 10 months to being back in my hometown of the lovely but sometimes smelly Greeley, CO. After this year I am considering going to school for a degree in Photojournalism and Graphic Design. From a “Greeleyite” to all incoming Vistas I must say. Welcome to Greeley.

Lydia Lydia is the VISTA at Faith Community Service Fund. She is originally from Illinois and graduated with a degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. Lydia enjoys live music, cooking, and exploring the mountains. She plans to stay in Colorado after her service term and continue working for non-profit organizations.

Victoria

I am the VISTA at the Weld Food Bank. I grew up in Columbia, Maryland and have done most of my travels on the East Coast thus far. I have completed the Rouse Scholars Honors program and received an Associate’s in General Studies from Howard Community College. I plan to go back to school at CSU to finish my Bachelor’s in Horticulture with a focus in Organics and Horticulture Therapy. I love rock climbing, making pottery on the wheel, cooking and eating, traveling and experiencing other cultures, any pretty much anything outdoors.

Welcome New VISTA Members!

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 9 4

1.) If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

I'd be an elephant because they are extra smart, have great memories, and get to eat all day long!

2) Are you a collector of anything?

A friend from college and I have been playing a game since driving to Florida last spring to see if we can spot every license plate in the country. Since we've continued to play long after we returned from Florida, I guess you could say I collect license plates (now I only need to see North Dakota!)

3) What are 3 things from your bucket list?

Visit every US state, do a Cape to Cairo trip through Africa, and see the Northern Lights!

4) What is your dream job?

I'd love to work for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

5) If you could go anywhere where would you go & who would you take?

I love asking this question but it's so hard to actually answer myself because I'd like to go everywhere! In terms of specific places, I'd love to go to London with my sister because she studied there and knows the city like the back of her hand; I'd like to take my mom on a safari in South Africa or Tanzania, and I'd like to explore Croatia!

6) Who is your hero?

I don't have one specifically, but I'm really inspired by people who work for social justice and human rights in the face of persecution/violence/etc; Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and MLK are three people that come to mind right now.

7) Why did you become an AmeriCorps VISTA?

Honestly, I became a VISTA on a whim after seeing a posting for the

Global Refugee Center. I wanted to work with refugees and the position was the type of work I'd been searching for a job after graduating. Joining a group of committed, compassionate, and community-oriented VISTAs and getting to work towards a larger goal of alleviating poverty has been such a huge plus.

8) What do you miss most about home?

I tend to consider home wherever I am at the moment and haven't truly been homesick for Ohio since I was a freshman in college. From Ohio, I do miss summer nights on the porch chatting with my parents and seeing my dog Buddy.

9) What do you love the most about being in Colorado?

The great people I've had the chance to meet at the Global Refugee Center and in the VISTA community: it's been so inspiring to work, live, and grow with such passionate and forward thinking-individuals! And the opportunities to explore the wild, wild west!

The Vista

Verse

For more information, contact Lisa Monsen | VISTA Leader United Way of Weld County

Lisa@unitedway-weld.org 970-304-6179

814 9th Street | PO Box 1944 Greeley, CO 80632

Very Valuable VISTA: Alexandra Walker, Global Refugee Center