In our VISTA Spotlight, our OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA members share in their own words about the transformative experience of serving with nonprofits and agencies in Texas working to eliminate poverty.
I have always had the desire to see people become better than their current circumstances. As a child, I was often empathetic to the needs of anything or anyone that was hurt or sad. I would comfort the little bird that fell out of the tree or give my mom hugs if I sensed she was feeling sad. I was known to always have a smile on my face and my former pastor’s wife nicknamed me “Bubbles”. Ironically, my name Felicia, in many languages can be translated to mean “joy or happy”. I wanted to continue to share my love for giving by serving our communities.
Embracing the decision to join AmeriCorps Vista came with mixed emotions as I did have a desire to serve but didn’t know if I had the capacity to serve. I had already begun going back to college to earn my bachelor’s degree, at almost 50 years old the year before, and had just obtained my associate’s degree in digital marketing in March 2024. I was uncertain if I would be able to maintain a work-life balance that would allow me the ability to serve, finish school and fulfill my other personal obligations.
I took the leap and was assigned as a Vista to help a local mobile diaper pantry /financial empowerment for new mothers called ilooklikeLOVE here in Dallas. It has been a wonderful opportunity to share my gifts and see the impact of this organization on the community. By ensuring that babies get what they need, providing families with diapers and wipes helps to minimize the family’s financial burden and provides a more stable environment for the babies to grow and develop. I am looking forward to helping ilooklikeLOVE continue to grow and meet the needs of the community.