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| Heidi Eckstein teaches a pre-k class about recycling. |
"When I graduated from college, I didn't expect to spend a year doing service," Heidi explained. "I was looking forward to renting my own place, seeing a new city, and getting some real world job experience. And to be honest, with my student loan bills I didn't think I could afford to be a volunteer."
Although her stipend wasn't enough to get her own apartment, the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program fit the rest of Heidi's checklist. She moved from Minnesota to Buffalo, relocation expenses covered, learned the ins and outs of office life, and at the end of her service year will receive a $5,500 education award to help with her federal student loans.
When she signed up for a year of service with us, Heidi didn't know a thing about web design or coding. Since then, she has rebuilt our website, redesigned our e-newsletter, manages our Facebook account, sometimes updates our Twitter account, designs posters for events and programs, and visits local block clubs to talk with South Buffalo residents. In August, she will be leaving us and moving to New Jersey, where she hopes to continue working with community-based non-profits.
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| Kelley adds an artistic touch to the office. |
Living on an AmeriCorps stipend isn't easy, especially since VISTA members are not allowed to have a job on the side. "This situation helps me to better understand the positions of the very old and the very young, families living in poverty, the disabled, or otherwise people who rely on assistance from others," says Kelley.
Kelley's two-month stint at NHS of South Buffalo will be full of
filming. Her experience with videography will be used to create short clips of
various programs - weatherization, workshops, World Changers, and more. Another accomplishment in the short time since she began, Kelley imagined and spearheaded a summer
poetry contest.
Says Cindy Wagner, supervisor of the VISTA members at the NHS of
South Buffalo offices, "Working for the last three years with our VISTA
Associates has been such a pleasure, especially this year. They have enabled us
to expand the marketing of our programs by recruiting volunteers, updating
(and uplifting) our social media strategies and getting us in front of
more community groups. Their enthusiasm and dedication for what they do is just
amazing!"
