18.5.09
SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Today, I received a letter from the Mercy Foundation's Tree of Hope Fund. I will be getting money to buy supplies for hygiene and nutrition activities! I'm very excited, though I will need some other funds for things unrelated to hygiene and nutrition, so I will leave that to my summer associates!
17.5.09
Northwest Service Symposium
Thursday-Friday, I was in Portland, OR at the 14th Annual Northwest National Service Symposium. It was a forum to learn what other AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps*VISTA/AmeriCoprs Learn & Serve members were doing. The Symposium is through the AmeriCorps Network Northwest that serves Washington and Oregon.
We're the only groups in the country who have a symposium and they've been doing it for 14 years. They ask for submissions of artwork -- poems, games, paintings, stories, etc. -- and they get collected and put into a book published for the attendees of the symposium. There are also different break out sessions put on by AmeriCorps and VISTA members about what they are doing at their sites. It was a really great forum to get new ideas, hear about other people's positions and network with other people, creating bridges between various organizations across the Northwest.
I learned about "Warm Socks for Cold Soles" started by a woman in Washington. She just started out small and it grew exponentially. She has now been asked to come to the White House to speek to a committee about making it into a national program. I am thinking about implementing it along with the Homeless Count. We collect blankets for the event to be passed out, but socks would be a really great thing to be able to give to the homeless as well. I also learned about a program at OSU (Extension, not to be mistaken for my biggest rival Ohio State, but Oregon State) that is a simulation that I could use instead of doing the Walk-a-Mile program. It was also a great place to meet up with PSO members and find out how their service was going and what issues/problems they had had already.
I've also learned that the UCAN VISTA Coalition is one of a kind. It has been a great help to have other Vistas as a support, as well as more senior (already been serving for several months) act as mentors to help me adjust to the area and find out about resources in the community for work and personal use. I couldn't do without it!
I should find out this week whether I got the money I requested from the Mercy Foundation for my summer activity program. I will also hopefully have picked my other Summer Associate!
We're the only groups in the country who have a symposium and they've been doing it for 14 years. They ask for submissions of artwork -- poems, games, paintings, stories, etc. -- and they get collected and put into a book published for the attendees of the symposium. There are also different break out sessions put on by AmeriCorps and VISTA members about what they are doing at their sites. It was a really great forum to get new ideas, hear about other people's positions and network with other people, creating bridges between various organizations across the Northwest.
I learned about "Warm Socks for Cold Soles" started by a woman in Washington. She just started out small and it grew exponentially. She has now been asked to come to the White House to speek to a committee about making it into a national program. I am thinking about implementing it along with the Homeless Count. We collect blankets for the event to be passed out, but socks would be a really great thing to be able to give to the homeless as well. I also learned about a program at OSU (Extension, not to be mistaken for my biggest rival Ohio State, but Oregon State) that is a simulation that I could use instead of doing the Walk-a-Mile program. It was also a great place to meet up with PSO members and find out how their service was going and what issues/problems they had had already.
I've also learned that the UCAN VISTA Coalition is one of a kind. It has been a great help to have other Vistas as a support, as well as more senior (already been serving for several months) act as mentors to help me adjust to the area and find out about resources in the community for work and personal use. I couldn't do without it!
I should find out this week whether I got the money I requested from the Mercy Foundation for my summer activity program. I will also hopefully have picked my other Summer Associate!
10.5.09
The 1st Month
Ops, I've been really bad at updating this. I've had some long days.
What have I been doing?
I have been working on my Summer Activity Program for one of the low-income housing sites that we do services for in Sutherlin, OR. I am not going to be running the program, but I will have 2 summer associates (AmeriCorps*VISTAs) that will be doing all the program planning and running.
I wrote a local foundation for some money from one of their funds for supplies. I am awaiting to here if they will be donating any money. I have also been working on getting some special events scheduled for the kids. Right now, I have the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife coming to do a presentation with animal pelts, as well as donating birdhouse kits. I have been in contact with the local Sheriff's department about having the McGruff Crime Dog make an appearance with a deputy to talk about safety and what he does for a living.
We are also going to have garden themed activties this year as the property has agreed to participate in UCAN's "Plant Another Row to Go" program. The program is asking local farmers, and anyone else to "plant another row" to donate to the homeless, so they can have fresh produce and flowers. So we will be working with the children in the raised beds, and teaching them how to garden, as well as how to give back to others.
I have another project that I'm trying to figure out what to do with -- Walk-a-Mile. Last year, it didn't go very well, which could have been due to the fact it wasn an election year. There were suggestions to have people in the community pair with the homeless instead of politicians with low-income people, but I haven't had the chance to meet with my supervisor to discuss other options.
I've also been tagging along going to the Coast to do presentations at schools about AmeriCorps and our summer associate positions. Next week, I will be going to Portland for the Northwest Service Symposium -- I thought it'd be nice to get out of Roseburg for awhile!
I suppose that's it for now. Sorry for the delay!
What have I been doing?
I have been working on my Summer Activity Program for one of the low-income housing sites that we do services for in Sutherlin, OR. I am not going to be running the program, but I will have 2 summer associates (AmeriCorps*VISTAs) that will be doing all the program planning and running.
I wrote a local foundation for some money from one of their funds for supplies. I am awaiting to here if they will be donating any money. I have also been working on getting some special events scheduled for the kids. Right now, I have the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife coming to do a presentation with animal pelts, as well as donating birdhouse kits. I have been in contact with the local Sheriff's department about having the McGruff Crime Dog make an appearance with a deputy to talk about safety and what he does for a living.
We are also going to have garden themed activties this year as the property has agreed to participate in UCAN's "Plant Another Row to Go" program. The program is asking local farmers, and anyone else to "plant another row" to donate to the homeless, so they can have fresh produce and flowers. So we will be working with the children in the raised beds, and teaching them how to garden, as well as how to give back to others.
I have another project that I'm trying to figure out what to do with -- Walk-a-Mile. Last year, it didn't go very well, which could have been due to the fact it wasn an election year. There were suggestions to have people in the community pair with the homeless instead of politicians with low-income people, but I haven't had the chance to meet with my supervisor to discuss other options.
I've also been tagging along going to the Coast to do presentations at schools about AmeriCorps and our summer associate positions. Next week, I will be going to Portland for the Northwest Service Symposium -- I thought it'd be nice to get out of Roseburg for awhile!
I suppose that's it for now. Sorry for the delay!
17.4.09
April 13-17th
APRIL 13th
On Monday, I left for San Diego for my pre-service orientation (PSO). The airplane I was supposed to take out of Eugene had gotten struck by lightening, so a mechanic had to come and check it out and make sure it was safe. Unfortunately, the mechanic was not on site at the airport (which was the tinest airport I've ever been in.), so we had to wait for the mechanic to get there, wait for them to okay it, then wait to board. All of this delayed our flight about 40 min, which in turn made us miss our connection in Seattle. At this point I had not met the other Vista, who is serving 25 miles south (Canyonville) of me (Roseburg), but I only had her cellphone. I called her in Seattle and met up with her, so we were lost together. We luckily caught a new flight shortly after arriving. We were also lucky to catch the last shuttle to the hotel. PHEW.
APRIL 14th-16th
There were about 200 people there from all over the country, and from many ages ranges, which I didn't expect. We were split into groups based on which state we were serving in. My group -- the blue dots -- were serving in Oregon, Utah, and Idaho. It was amazing how many people were from Michigan just from the Blue Dot group. I met someone originally from Saline, 2 from Troy and another from Grand Rapids. The guy from GR was also just graduating from my alma mater -- GO BLUE!
For the most part, the training was pretty boring just going over the rules, history and admin stuff for AmeriCorps*VISTA. The last day we got to pick which class we wanted to take -- Partnerships & Building Relationships, Resource Mobilization or Volunteer Generation & Development depending on what were were doing in our organizations. I took the Partnerships class and it was really intense because it made me realize how difficult my job might be in bridging connections and trying to get various groups to have a common goal. It was a lot on the last day, especially when I was tired and really ready to go home.
My flight was originally supposed to get in at 11:55 PM PT, but we were lucky to get our flight changed to an earlier time. I tried to change my seat because I prefer window seats, but our flight was booked. We couldn't understand how many people would be flying from LAX to Eugene, OR. We soon found out when the UCLA Men's Track & Field team started filling the waiting area seats. Our new flight was supposed to arrive at 9:30 PM PT, but we were delayed thanks to the UCLA Men's Track & Field team. They had a hard time listening to the flight attendant when they told them to stowe their electronics. When we stopped in Medford, OR, they all got up and made it difficult for the passengers (I think only one) to board and take their seat. Once again, they couldn't listen and turn off their electronics, so we were delayed leaving Medford.
FINALLY, we got into Eugene. Unfortunately, Eugene is about a little over an hour from Roseburg, so Amy (the other Vista) and I had to drive all the way back to Roseburg. Driving in the mountains when it's so dark is hard especially when you can't have the brights on all the time for the sake of the traffic in the other direction. My lights aren't very bright, so it's hard to see, not to mention I was extremely tired. The last 20 miles were brutal. Amy stayed at my apartment because she hadn't been able to get settled into her place, plus she was still 25+ miles further south.
APRIL 17th
Luckily, I did not have to start work today. Today we had a Farewell/Welcome picnic at a park in Canyonville for the Vistas serving UCAN. I met all the Vistas serving at other locations. They gave us (the new Vistas) a present -- reusable grocery bag filled with paper clips, notepad, popcorn, AmeriCorps*Vista sweatshirt and some other things, which was very nice. It went until 2ish, and then we came back and I got to come home and rest. I'm glad I didn't have to start work today. This weekend is going to be near 80, so I'm looking forward to it. I start training on Monday at 9 AM! I'm glad it's not until then because I know another Vista serving in UT had to start today after getting in late.
Sorry for such a long update, but I didn't have my computer with me this week. Look forward to more on Monday!
On Monday, I left for San Diego for my pre-service orientation (PSO). The airplane I was supposed to take out of Eugene had gotten struck by lightening, so a mechanic had to come and check it out and make sure it was safe. Unfortunately, the mechanic was not on site at the airport (which was the tinest airport I've ever been in.), so we had to wait for the mechanic to get there, wait for them to okay it, then wait to board. All of this delayed our flight about 40 min, which in turn made us miss our connection in Seattle. At this point I had not met the other Vista, who is serving 25 miles south (Canyonville) of me (Roseburg), but I only had her cellphone. I called her in Seattle and met up with her, so we were lost together. We luckily caught a new flight shortly after arriving. We were also lucky to catch the last shuttle to the hotel. PHEW.
APRIL 14th-16th
There were about 200 people there from all over the country, and from many ages ranges, which I didn't expect. We were split into groups based on which state we were serving in. My group -- the blue dots -- were serving in Oregon, Utah, and Idaho. It was amazing how many people were from Michigan just from the Blue Dot group. I met someone originally from Saline, 2 from Troy and another from Grand Rapids. The guy from GR was also just graduating from my alma mater -- GO BLUE!
For the most part, the training was pretty boring just going over the rules, history and admin stuff for AmeriCorps*VISTA. The last day we got to pick which class we wanted to take -- Partnerships & Building Relationships, Resource Mobilization or Volunteer Generation & Development depending on what were were doing in our organizations. I took the Partnerships class and it was really intense because it made me realize how difficult my job might be in bridging connections and trying to get various groups to have a common goal. It was a lot on the last day, especially when I was tired and really ready to go home.
My flight was originally supposed to get in at 11:55 PM PT, but we were lucky to get our flight changed to an earlier time. I tried to change my seat because I prefer window seats, but our flight was booked. We couldn't understand how many people would be flying from LAX to Eugene, OR. We soon found out when the UCLA Men's Track & Field team started filling the waiting area seats. Our new flight was supposed to arrive at 9:30 PM PT, but we were delayed thanks to the UCLA Men's Track & Field team. They had a hard time listening to the flight attendant when they told them to stowe their electronics. When we stopped in Medford, OR, they all got up and made it difficult for the passengers (I think only one) to board and take their seat. Once again, they couldn't listen and turn off their electronics, so we were delayed leaving Medford.
FINALLY, we got into Eugene. Unfortunately, Eugene is about a little over an hour from Roseburg, so Amy (the other Vista) and I had to drive all the way back to Roseburg. Driving in the mountains when it's so dark is hard especially when you can't have the brights on all the time for the sake of the traffic in the other direction. My lights aren't very bright, so it's hard to see, not to mention I was extremely tired. The last 20 miles were brutal. Amy stayed at my apartment because she hadn't been able to get settled into her place, plus she was still 25+ miles further south.
APRIL 17th
Luckily, I did not have to start work today. Today we had a Farewell/Welcome picnic at a park in Canyonville for the Vistas serving UCAN. I met all the Vistas serving at other locations. They gave us (the new Vistas) a present -- reusable grocery bag filled with paper clips, notepad, popcorn, AmeriCorps*Vista sweatshirt and some other things, which was very nice. It went until 2ish, and then we came back and I got to come home and rest. I'm glad I didn't have to start work today. This weekend is going to be near 80, so I'm looking forward to it. I start training on Monday at 9 AM! I'm glad it's not until then because I know another Vista serving in UT had to start today after getting in late.
Sorry for such a long update, but I didn't have my computer with me this week. Look forward to more on Monday!
8.4.09
Today
Today we head back to Eugene. My mom's flight leaves very early on Thursday, so we're going to stay the night in Eugene. The weather has gotten colder here, and it's rainy for the next several days...typical in Oregon.
I am getting quite aquainted with Roseburg and am pretty good at navigating the streets. In one of the pamphlets my mom picked up, I learned that there was a huge blast downtown in 1959 that leveled 8 blocks of the downtown area. More info here.
There are several wineries all throughout Oregon. As my best friend is quite the wine connoisseur, I'm sure I will be visiting some of them in the future.
I am getting quite aquainted with Roseburg and am pretty good at navigating the streets. In one of the pamphlets my mom picked up, I learned that there was a huge blast downtown in 1959 that leveled 8 blocks of the downtown area. More info here.
There are several wineries all throughout Oregon. As my best friend is quite the wine connoisseur, I'm sure I will be visiting some of them in the future.
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