The VISTA Verse

These New VISTAS Are Ready to Give To Their New Communities

December is Giving Season and what better way to give than to GIVE two new VISTA agencies a VISTA member, GIVE these two new VISTA members an opportunity for a great experience, and allow them to GIVE to their new communities for a year? The VISTA Project of United Way of Weld County would like to welcome Alexandra Walker serving at Global Refugee Center and Chris Heim serving at Senior Resource Services.

The Global Refugee Center works with the refugee community to improve their quality of life by implementing programs in education, health, finances, cultural integration and civil and human rights that lead to self-sufficiency and self-reliance. For more information please see: http://www.eaccolorado.org/ Senior Resource Services assist the elderly and their families in addressing the issues of aging, which includes meal programs, senior safety programs. counseling, memory screening program, workshops, and special friend programs. For more information please see: http://www.seniorresourceservices.info/

Alexandra, or Ally, moved to Colorado from her hometown of Akron, OH where she was doing some soul searching after graduating from DePauw University in May with a degree in Anthropology. While studying abroad in South Africa, Ally got involved in teaching English at a refugee camp and is looking forward to continuing her work with the refugee community this year! Ally loves spontaneity, ethnic food, traveling, photography, and anything with caffeine. After her year with VISTA, she hopes to pursue a Masters Degree in International Development and see where the world takes her!

Chris Heim originally from Philadelphia, grew up with his Mom, Dad, and 28 year old sister Lindsey. After twelve years of being educated by the Catholic school system, he attended Millersville University in Lancaster, PA where he studied business and then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to study Political Science and Administrative Justice. Chris graduated with the aspirations of serving in AmeriCorps e in the western part of the country, and his short term dream came to fruition. He isn’t sure what career path he wants to follow, but he would like to go into international relations, law, or something related to those fields.

Interested in learning more? Contact:

VISTA Project – United Way of Weld County814 9th Street Greeley, CO 80631

PO Box 1944Greeley, CO 80832

P: 970-353-4300 ext 2570F: 970-353-4738Email: erika@unitedway-weld.org

December 2011 Vol. 1 Issue 13

VISTA Project of United Way of Weld County

Chris is very into music & sports and is now becoming fascinated with outdoor activities. Sports: huge soccer (the real football) and hockey fan. Sports: huge soccer (the real football) and hockey fan. Music: everyone says he was born in the wrong generation because he is fascinated with classic rock and the grunge era, but he does listen to everything such as reggae, indie, and electronica. Chris says he is “elated to meet all of you and I look forward to the outdoor excursions, live music, and anything else that will provide entertainment in my year out in Good ol' Colorado!”

The VISTA VerseDecember 2011 Vol. 1 Issue 13

Words of WisdomBuilding partnerships is important and what better way than to reach out to your community? Use these tips to make ties with: Neighborhood Centers, Arts and Cultural Foundations, Schools, Social Service Agencies, City Council State and Local Government Commissions,Libraries, Fraternities/Sororities, and Senior Citizen Centers.

1. Build on existing relationships; look for new ones. Use the positive connections between your organization and the community to introduce yourself as a new member of the team. What community groups or businesses have helped run and sponsor your events? What new businesses or groups have sprung up and are waiting to be tapped into?

2. Involve the community from the start. Bring community members and groups to the table before your addressing important issues. Researchers have found that involving community members from the ground up led to more understanding, better communication, and allowed organization’s to use their community’s strengths more effectively.

3. Listen to your community. Listen closely to what clients and community members say to help identify pressing issues and learn how the community can become more involved in your organization’s improvement. Your organizations can respond to community concerns by holding public forums that address unfamiliar or complex issues. Slowly, this will build trust and cement relationships.

4. Make it personal. Personal contact is the key to successful recruiting community members. If the person you want to invite is extremely busy, forget sending an invitation letter or a phone call. Schedule a time to meet in person and take along an information packet about the organization’s goals and responsibilities. Explain what contribution you want the person to make and why you value his or her involvement. Follow up with a confirmation letter

5. Attend meetings of community groups. One of the most effective ways of gathering information is to attend meetings of groups representing different community and cultural interests. Learn more about the issues and how attitudes about public education vary from one group to another. These groups can provide an avenue to conduct formal or informal surveys. They can also open up doors for meaningful community conversations.

Important and Interesting DatesDecember is National Bingo, Safe Toy, and

Seasonal Depression Awareness month! Go play & have fun!

12/01 AIDS Awareness Day12/03 Habitat Dinner @ the First Methodist Church12/04 (VFW) All you can eat Brunch $8, proceeds go to support YFC.12/05 December 5th, 5-7 pm12/06 Colorado Gives Day – visit GivingFirst.com12/07 Lauren Chartier Happy Birthday!12/07 Nat’l Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day12/10 Book Sale at ReStore -all the books you can fit in a basket for $312/10 Human Rights Day12/12 A Woman’s Place Holiday House at Clarion12/16 Poetry Slam for SESS Café Panache 7pm12/17 Christmas Sale at Restore -All xmas related items 50% off in store12/17 A Woman’s Place Holiday House at Clarion12/21Hanukkah begins & First day of winter12/25 Christmas day!12/26 Kwanza begins12/31 New Year’s Eve

I’m WORTH It

The Independent Sector announced that the 2010 estimate for the value of a volunteer hour has reached $21.36, an increase from $20.85 per hour in 2009.

That would make our current VISTA project worth $579,795.84$21.36x8hrs=$170.8x261work days= $44599.68x13VISTAs= $579795.84

Progress from the VISTA project this past year alone (January 2010 – December 2010)

Recruited 512 volunteersVolunteers completed 156 hours of service VISTAs obtained $102,795 of cash resources VISTAs obtained $25,520 of non-cash resources

GREAT JOB A*VISTAS!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!Snow’s piling up – it’s cold. Grab some comfort food, a nice blanket and stay inside watching great movies! This easy meatloaf is delectable and it makes enough for leftovers. Feel free to add your own variation (green chilies?) DIG IN!

Paula Dean’s Delish Basic Meatloaf 1 pound ground beef 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper 1 egg, lightly beaten 8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice 1/2 cup quick-cooking oatsTopping: 1/3 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

DirectionsPreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf. Topping: Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour.

Easy Mexican Hot Chocolate 3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 pinch chili powder 1/4 cup milk 3/4 cup boiling water

In a large mug, mix the hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, and chili powder. Pour in the milk. Add the boiling water and stir.

V^3: Very Valuable VISTAJeff Buchman – United Way Campaign

1.) If you had to pick one place in town to bring a tourist, where would you go?I would bring them to the Greeley Museum. It’s free and has a number of interesting exhibits that explain why Greeley is the way it is today.2.) What embarrassing moment have you encountered related to your work with United Way?The first day I came into work I was told that we were having a meeting at Roasty’s Bar and Restaurant across the street at 9:00. Being new in town and only having seen part of Roasty’s sign I was unaware that there was a restaurant attached. I was a bit confused as to why we were meeting at a bar so early in the morning so I asked. I’m pretty sure everyone thought I was a very heavy drinker that first week..3.) What cause are you willing to fight for?I would fight to give everyone a fair chance to succeed at life. While people may not use the opportunities they are given, everyone deserves to start on the same level which unfortunately does not happen.4.) What is your first thought when your feet hit the floor in the morning?Usually the first thing I think is “how late is it? Am I late for work?” this happens regardless of the actual time or day.5.) What sport do you think you are the best at? I would have to say I am a pretty good kayaker since I’ve been doing it competitively since I was 126.) Who was your favorite celebrity as a child?Wishbone, such a big imagination on such a little pup7.) Why did you become an AmeriCorps VISTA?I needed 300 hours of experience in a nonprofit to complete my master’s program and my advisor suggested I look into becoming a VISTA since unlike most internships VISTA’s paid a little bit.8.) What do you miss most about home (New York)? Other than my dog I miss the huge number of large lakes in New York. The ability to take my sea kayak to a different body of water every weekend was something I took for granted before I moved out here..9.) What do you love the most about living in Colorado?I love the sun and the different environments within driving distance. It can be 90 here in Greeley but if you drive up into the mountains its sweater weather. .

The VISTA VerseDecember 2011 Vol. 1 Issue 13

All Events are FREE unless marked otherwise

12/09 & 12/10 Snow Sculpture in the Dark 10am – 10pm 4th Street between Railroad Ave. and Washington Ave. in downtown Loveland. Seven teams, consisting of both regional and international sculptors will hand sculpt 8ft blocks of snow to mimic this year’s theme “Fire & Ice” along the south side of 4th Street. Visitors and residents may vote for their favorite snow sculpture 5-9 pm12/10 Tea & Chocolate Tasting 9am – 12pm Your Place Coffee 2308 W 17th St. Come try some loose leaf teas and gourmet chocolates from Cocoa Camellia's tea and chocolate selection. Green teas, black teas, oolongs, and more!12/10 Be Local Winter Farmer’s Market 10am – 3pm Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., Fort Collins. Over 40 vendors selling late-season vegetables, grass-fed meats, eggs, mushrooms, cheese, crafts, etc.12/12 Tea & Chocolate Tasting 9am-10am 3 B's Coffee (next to Morgan Floral) 2200 Reservoir Rd. Come try some loose leaf tea and gourmet chocolates from Cocoa Camellia's selection of teas and chocolates. Green teas, black teas, oolongs, and more!12/15 FREE Ice Skating 2-9pm The Ice Rink at The Promenade Shops at CENTERRA (Main Plaza at the heart of The Promenade Shops at CENTERRA, I-25 and Highway 34, Loveland, CO)12/17 Food Drive and Free Strings Music Depot 3218 17th Street Greeley On Saturday December 17th Music Depot will be holding a food drive for the benefit of the Weld Food Bank. All donations of food items and toiletries will be graciously accepted. As an added incentive Music Depot will be giving a free set of D’Addario strings (acoustic, or electric) to each person who donates at least two items.12/17 Greeley Winter Farmer’s Market 9am – 12pm Atlas Church 709 16th St Greeley

What’s Happenin’ - DecemberDecember 2011 Vol. 1 Issue 13

Winter: as the days get shorter and the nights get colder, even the best of us can get a little down. The "winter blues" are characterized by the mild depression, lack of motivation, and low energy that many people experience during this cold season. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to both prevent the blues from coming on and get yourself back to normal if they’re already here. Be sure to read up on Seasonal Affective Disorder: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195

1. Exercise – All VISTAs have free gym memberships: so NO excuses! Exercise is great for relieving stress and the effects of a good workout can last for several hours. You’ll have more energy throughout the day, and your metabolism will stay elevated. Exercise also helps your mind by releasing those "feel good chemicals" that improve your mood.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet - What and when you eat has a great effect on your mood and energy. Avoid refined and processed foods (like white breads, rice, and sugar). These foods zap your energy levels and can affect your mood. Try to incorporate more complex carbohydrates (whole wheat breads, brown rice, veggies, fruit) and get your daily 8 cups of water.

3. Get Some Sun – Sunlight provides Vitamin D which improves your mood. Try to spend a little more time outdoors (during lunch breaks). Keep your shades up to let more light in. Sit near windows when possible. Try changing the light bulbs in your house to "full spectrum" bulbs. These mimic natural light and actually have the same affects

4. Take vitamins. – Adding a multi-vitamin to your daily diet acts as a boost to your immune system and can help replace the depleted vitamin D from lack of sunlight

5. Socialize – Something as simple as a phone call, a chat over coffee, or a nice email or letter can brighten your mood. Get out and have some fun, there are a whole group of VISTAs, utilize them!

6. Catch some Zzzz’s – Aim for 7-8 hours each night, and try to keep your bedtime and waking time consistent so your sleeping patterns can normalize and you’ll have more energy. Don’t oversleep—this can actually make you MORE tired. Don’t forget naps! A short (10-30 minute) afternoon nap may be all you need to re-energize midday.

6 Ways to Beat Those Winter Blues!