As an AmeriCorps VISTA supervisor, I have witnessed literal miracles as needs have been met for our non-profit agency.\u00a0 Most non-profits during these tough times are running on low fumes: lack of funding, staff support, community connections [as they are going through tough times too], and program structures being compromised by increasing demands while resources remain shallow.\u00a0 In short, we are all doing more with less.\u00a0 I first became introduced to AmeriCorps VISTA through the suggestion of a fellow agency about 3 years ago and what an amazing adventure it has been.\u00a0\u00a0 Upon registering, I not only inherited great program support, but I shared in a fundamental passionate mission\u2014the war on poverty.<\/p>\n

Both of my VISTA \u2018s that I have been privileged to work with have been sharp, creative, energetic women.\u00a0 As each stepped across the threshold of grant wonderland, recruitment\/retention challenges, and radical program changes, they grasped the vision of the mission quickly and securely.\u00a0 Out in the field they\u2019ve loved influencing the community to also see the vision of AmeriCorps and Volusia Literacy Council.\u00a0 Monies have been raised, partnerships established, fundraisers \u2018funded\u2019 with in-kind donations and gifts, community awareness cultivated, volunteers recruited and recently,\u00a0 financial and workforce literacy birthed [two new programs].\u00a0 Can I go on?\u00a0 Yes, I could go on about the programs that have led to a stronger, brighter program\u2014at the very least I will say, we would not be where we are today without them.\u00a0 Thank you ladies!!<\/p>\n

I must give outstanding credit to the overseer of the VISTA program for our state, Florida Literacy Coalition.\u00a0 They are an amazing support system to the program and the challenges we face.\u00a0 Through state collaborations, training in the mission, navigating through paperwork [and SO MUCH more]\u2014<\/em>WHEW! All I can say is, \u201cI am \u2018SO RELIEVED\u2019 they are there for us!\u201d\u00a0 I literally feel I could call them at 2am and they would be there.\u00a0 [Don\u2019t worry FLC, I\u2019ll try not to make a habit of it.]<\/em>\u00a0 They too share the passionate mission and through that passion they hold us little Community Based Organizations\u2019s all together through their grant leadership, program encouragement, resource provision and most importantly keeping us on time with our quarterly reports.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 (Can I do the text wink here?)<\/p>\n

It has been an honor to supervise the VISTA program and my heart is full of the deepest gratitude for those who provide and serve in AmeriCorps.\u00a0 I stand by their commission of the war against poverty with unfailing faith.\u00a0 Each person who has the privilege of being a recipient of their services has been awarded a great opportunity to change their life and move forward toward their dreams.\u00a0 We need you AmeriCorps VISTA and we cannot thank you enough for the difference you make: one mission, one program, one incredible life at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As an AmeriCorps VISTA supervisor, I have witnessed literal miracles as needs have been met for our non-profit agency.\u00a0 Most non-profits during these tough times are running on low fumes: lack of funding, staff support, community connections [as they are Read more…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[82,1059],"class_list":["post-982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guest","tag-americorps-vista","tag-volusia-literacy-council"],"yoast_head":"\r\n