Wednesday, September 18, 2013

VISTAs Collect 862 Toiletry Items for Women and Families

As AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America), we are expected to participate in any and all National Service Days to help give back to the community directly - Sept. 11 being one of them. The purpose of 9/11 Day of Service is to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in America through a voluntarily observed national day of service, charity, and compassion and encouraging people everywhere to set aside time to help others in need. 


This year, the VISTAs and VISTA leaders organized the 2nd Annual “Great Roll Out” toiletry drive benefiting YWCA Missoula! Sept. 9 -11,VISTAs and members of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps of Missoula set up at four store locations and collected toiletry donations that the YWCA housing programs and Pathways program were in need of. I was so surprised with how generous people in the community were! We not only received more toiletries than we ever expected, but we collected cash donations as well. Maura, the Pathways VISTA at the YWCA is responsible for putting a great amount of work into the project. 


Because of the time and dedication from our AmeriCorps volunteers in Missoula, the "Great Roll Out" 2013 was a huge success: we collected $2,079.74 worth of cash/in-kind donations, including 862 toiletry items, to benefit YWCA programs. Thank you to Orange Street Food Farm, Super Wal-Mart, Patty Creek Market and Albertsons East for participating in our toiletry drive and allowing for this to happen!

Posted by Miranda, YWCA Missoula Transitional Housing VISTA


Thursday, September 5, 2013

New AmeriCorps Volunteers Ready to Fight Poverty in Missoula!

Hey there! My name is Miranda, and I am the new AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in the Transitional Housing Program at YWCA Missoula. I am originally from Napa, Calif., but I moved up to Missoula for my undergraduate studies in Psychology and Communications. I started out volunteering at the front desk about two years ago and couldn’t get enough, so I went through Advocate training and Children's Advocate training to gain more knowledge and skills and give more time to the YWCA. During my senior year of college, I had an internship through the GUTS! program, which helps girls identify and use their strengths. 

After graduating from college, I decided to join the VISTA program and chose the YWCA as my host site to serve for the next year. I am not sure what my plans are for the future - perhaps graduate school, perhaps more non-profit work - but either way, the YWCA is a great experience and opportunity for me on so many different levels.

Traveling is one of my passions, and as I started to travel more often I realized that poverty and suffering is everywhere. I hope to go back to these places and help to end poverty across seas, but it is very important to recognize the issues folks in our local community face every day as well. That is why I am here. My other passion is giving and helping out those in need, whether it be resources, a meal, or even a literal helping hand.

I have a year full of capacity-building and service ahead of me, including being a part of YWCA Missoula's Brown Bag Lunch Series team, conducting focus groups for our program participants, working on Project Homeless Connect, doing presentations about YWCA services at other local organizations, assisting with orientations and interviews, as well as outreaching to the community so that we can improve our services. It has been such a pleasure being part of the YWCA crew already! It is so comforting knowing that I work with a group of strong, smart, considerate and giving women every day and that we are making a difference in countless families’ and community members' lives. 

Miranda (left) and Maura (right) are excited to serve YWCA Missoula this year! 

Greetings! My name is Maura, and I am so sincerely happy to be here at the YWCA as the new AmeriCorps VISTA for the Pathways Children’s Program.  I first came to the YWCA two years ago as a volunteer with the GUTS! program and was immediately impressed by the variety of services and the scope of impact the YWCA has in our community. 

Working with children has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and this passion has resulted in many adventures, such as traveling to China to teach English, as well as discovering AmeriCorps in Spokane, where I taught children skills to help them achieve success in reading as a member of Washington ReadingCorps. 

Each time I leave Montana, I know it is only temporary because Montana is my home and indeed where my heart is. I grew up outside of Bigfork, and I am fortunate to be able to continue to go home and visit my family and pets often. I find peace in the beautiful views of the Swan Mountains and Jewel Basin, as well as the spectacular night sky.

I attended the University of Montana and received a bachelor of arts in Psychology with a Philosophy minor, and I also enjoyed many Sociology and Social Work courses.  I am currently taking online classes to become certified in Non-Profit Administration, and one day I hope to have a position in an organization like the YWCA, working to help children and adults develop the skills and tools that will enable them to reach their goals and make their dreams a reality.