Thursday, August 26, 2010
Photo of the Week: August 26, 2010
The Chelsea Boys & Girls Club (one of our two new sites this year)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tim, Technology, and Teamwork
When I learned about the position of Technology *VISTA at Generations Incorporated my initial reaction was that this year of service would be a great opportunity to do some hands on learning. My first day on the job our shared file server was not connecting properly and I was reminded of the oldest computer lesson: if you don’t know what to do, try a good ‘ole fashion restart. Right out of the gate I began troubleshooting a myriad of technology issues. I am into my fourth week of service and have already learned an incredible amount about the servers, database, website and Generations Incorporated’s programs.
As the Technology *VISTA I was afraid that my role in the office might fly under the radar, that a lot of the work I do over the next 11 months will mostly go unnoticed by the older adults and young people who are served by Generations Incorporated. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The most important thing that I have learned here is how Generations Incorporated functions as family. The staff and volunteers are excellent at making everyone feel a part of the team. I felt my own role in that team solidify pretty early on when my fellow *VISTAs and other staff members began to rely on me for tech support. It’s these instances that are the greatest reminder of how my role supports Generations Incorporated’s programs in a fundamental way.
By the end of my year I hope to have made some changes that are at least noticeable to the staff and volunteers that work in the office. Close to the top of my to-do list is the expansion of our database, which I am taking some serious time to learn. I have also begun investigating services that will put our shared folders and documents into the cloud, easing accessibility to documents and integrating new tools for collaboration. In the less distant future I will be providing the technology training to the incoming AmeriCorps State members. My goal will be to introduce them to their new email accounts and the office technology, and to welcome them to the team at Generations Incorporated!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Video of the Week August 19, 2010
Mary Gunn’s Presentation at TEDxBoston
One Solution for Two Significant Social Problems: How Bringing Older and Younger Generations Together Can Improve Both the Health of Senior Citizens and the Literacy Skills of Children
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Serving with “Hart”
My first few weeks as a Recruitment and Training VISTA at Generations Incorporated have been awesome! I have been given a phenomenal opportunity to serve at an organization that is bigger than me, and I am so glad that I have embraced the opportunity. Over the past two weeks I have had the honor of meeting some of our amazing volunteers, and it has been really inspiring to hear what they have said about our program.
Ever since I made the decision to serve, I have heard from both ends of the spectrum what I should be doing this year, from either serving or continuing to law school. While I have always been confident that I made the right decision, a little piece of me wondered if those people that thought I should simply go straight to law school knew something I didn’t. Then it happened! I stepped off the elevator, walked into the office, and I knew that I made the right decision to serve for a year.
We spent much of that first day doing trainings, but later in the afternoon I was given the opportunity to help post some flyers in East Boston. As we went around from community center to community center, I listened to the passion with which the former Training VISTA spoke about Generations Incorporated. I was hooked. From that moment on, I knew without any hesitation that I wanted to be “in the thick of it”, looking for volunteers and helping train them in order that they may go into our program sites and be successful at what they do.
Since my first adventure in East Boston I have been lucky enough to take part in some of the other weekly events we have for our older adult volunteers. Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting an awesome group of volunteers at the Revere coffee club. Last week, I took part in our walking groups at Franklin Park and Revere Beach. I was thrilled to meet so many returning volunteers excited about the new school year starting at both locations!
As we inch closer and closer to the beginning of the school year I cannot wait to meet all of our fantastic volunteers, new and seasoned alike.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Photo of the Week: August 5, 2010
Our new AmeriCorps *VISTA members were out exploring the communities we serve today! Here they are in Codman Square in Dorchester.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Showing Up to Serve
When I decided to become an AmeriCorps *VISTA and dedicate myself to a year of service, my friends and family were puzzled at first, but never cease to show their support. My mom generally shows support for my life decisions and encores with a battery of questions about contingencies—you know, the “what if” questions. It’s because she cares. Anyway, the majority of my friends thought that public service was a great idea and many of them shared how they’d always dreamed and hoped to do something to “make a difference,” but never had had the courage to step outside of their comfort zones. I guess I’m blessed with the ability to feel comfortable in chaos.
To these worries, wistful admissions, and cautions, there was one theme that kept coming up over and over again: “We are not powerless. We can do something about poverty and needless suffering in our country. We can make a difference.”
The idea that I could be the change that I wanted to see in my national community inspired me. As I watched my calendar days drag their tired feet toward my orientation date, I couldn’t wait to meet my future cohorts and get my hands dirty. This was being alive; this was like pinning your MLK Jr. pin to your lapel on the first day of college; this was what it meant to be part of a real community—people helping people. As a soon-to-be Program Associate, I was going to be in the field, working hand-in-hand with older adult volunteers (or Experience Corps Members), facilitating the literacy programs at Boston Public Schools and learning institutions in the Greater Boston Area.
So, upon my arrival at Pre-Service Orientation (PSO), I double-knotted my hi-tops and hit the ground running. Long story short, I learned a lot about leadership, running trainings, and, just overall, why we’re here. Our group played the board game “Apples to Apples” nightly and by the end, after all the group bonding time and ice-breakers, I felt like I had a second family (at risk of sounding overly cheesy).
Now, it’s week one and I couldn’t be more excited about my year of service. I’m going to build many new friendships with Experience Corps Members, site team leaders and fellow AmeriCorps members and I can’t wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of both students and older adults this year, as I know they’ll make a difference in my life.
