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 valued kindness and compassion. My love of literature and storytelling has continuously reinforced this belief. Reading about others’ experiences can foster a greater sense of understanding in an individual, or community, and bridge gaps of understanding. I believe that everything and everyone is interconnected and deserves to be treated with respect. However, while I was working in customer service and retail, these values were not always reflected in my everyday work. When faced with a career transition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I resolved that the next career I pursued would be in line with what I value most in life: compassionate and kind service to others. This resolution led me to the AmeriCorps VISTA program where I discovered I could give back to my community through volunteer service in a big way.
The VISTA program would allow me to use my skills that I obtained through my undergraduate studies, as well as my previous job experience, in a way that would benefit others and not just myself. I am so grateful I was able to find an opportunity through AmeriCorps VISTA to complete my initial service term at Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, an organization that works to improve the lives of others through the power of literacy. Not only did I get to work within my field of study and passion, but I also got to help fundamentally improve the lives of individuals and communities through my service. After completing a successful term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, I was fortunate to transition into a role as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader with OneStar Foundation. I currently serve as the Training & Resource Generation VISTA Leader where I have the opportunity to mentor VISTA members while expanding OneStar Foundation’s wealth of VISTA resources and professional development training. I have served in this position for two years and have witnessed so many VISTA members make positive changes in their communities while growing personally and professionally as well.
It means so much to me that I can provide a kind and compassionate assistance and support to people who in turn serve their communities. With more than 4,000 national service hours completed so far, I am proud of my AmeriCorps VISTA service and excited to begin my 4th consecutive term of service this Fall. Thank you so much to the VISTA members who give me the opportunity support them, to OneStar Foundation for supporting me in my service, and AmeriCorps VISTA for providing me the opportunity to serve my community and America.