AmeriCorps VISTAs

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The Neighborhood Services Department is extremely fortunate to have had several Americorps VISTA volunteers over the last few years. We appreciate the invaluable assistance they provided to assist us in the Neighborhood Planning and Community Redevelopment areas.

 

Al Gedeon, was a VISTA volunteer for 3 years. He was led to become a VISTA volunteer because he was “too scared to join the Peace Corps.” He initiated new programs that will have lasting effects on communities. Many communities reach out to help themselves, overcoming a general sense of apathy. The most profound effect on him personally has been the rewarding experience to know that he helped others. Some general advice he would offer to communities is act as a whole.

 

Al would have liked to work with Americorps on a continual basis, but volunteers are limited to three years. “You just never know what the future holds!” says Al.

 

Dave Kaminski, a VISTA volunteer for 3 years decided to become a volunteer to “give back to the community he has taken from for the past 54 years”.

 

To Dave no day was typical, but the most memorable experience he had was during Americorps orientation. “It was refreshing to see so many people that cared about other individuals”. Dave remarks, “Volunteering is not for everybody, but everybody should see the other side. You become more accepting of others and more understanding of why they’re in the place they’re at. It’s not always from lack of trying.”


Alex Demolina, another VISTA who worked with us, feels she was uniquely qualified for the project because of her educational background in anthropology and community development. She had knowledge of theories and practices to assist communities with redevelopment and revitalization.

 

 Her most memorable experience was the second day at the Kaboom playground project at Norma Lloyd Park. “It was wonderful to experience so many county, city and community organizations come together and volunteer their time to better the community. Americorps has opened my eyes to the power of volunteerism. Before joining, I didn’t fully realize how many organizations depend on “people power” to achieve their missions”. 

 

 Ms. Geneva Presha has been an active volunteer with VISTA for one year and will continue to volunteer on a much broader basis in the future. She has been a volunteer for most of her life and would find it hard to stop now.  

 

A typical day for Geneva would include meeting with community advisors, business owners, and nonprofit agencies. She has had her eyes and ears on the pulse of the people she serves.    She loves to help and engage community members in their personal and corporate community activism.  
  
As her year draws to a close Geneva comments “It’s been provocative to watch the CRA Advisory Board grow, develop and come into empowerment with the help and support of the Neighborhood Services Department staff.”  In the future, Geneva will create her own consulting firm and continue community and youth activism and advocacy. 
 

Victoria Bell began her VISTA assignment in June, 2010 with Manatee County Neighborhood Services. Her focus is to promote civically engaged youth through developing a Manatee County Youth Commission, consisting of a diverse group of high school students from schools and community organizations in the county that would advise the Board of County Commissioners on issues that impact youth. She believes that encouraging youth to be informed and civically engaged citizens is a right step to bringing individuals out of poverty. She has committed to one year with AmeriCorps.

 

Our VISTA members committed to serve full-time working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more which fits in with the department’s mission.

 

The mission of Neighborhood Services is to preserve and improve the physical, social and economic health of Manatee neighborhoods, support neighborhood self-reliance, and enhance the quality of life for residents through community-based problem solving, neighborhood-oriented services and public/private cooperation.