AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers Share Their Stories

Last August, NHCO was fortunate to have two outstanding individuals join our team as AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers. Their year of service will wrap up in a couple of months, so we asked them to share a bit about their experience so far. NHCO is currently recruiting two more AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers to begin a year of service in August. For job descriptions and a link to the online recruitment website, please click here.

Jennifer Drayton, Americorps*VISTA Volunteer Coordinator

I grew up in Toledo and earned a B.S. in Interior Design at La Roche College.

After graduation I quickly learned that interior design was not as fulfilling as I had hoped it could be. I pursued a career in interior design because of the potential it has to make the world a better place to live and work. I thought it would allow me to put my cooperative nature and creative spirit to positive use. While working in the field I was finding less opportunities to utilize my strengths and no chances to improve aspects of myself that needed nurturing, such as leadership capability. (It is a rare thing to find a working environment in the design field that focuses on collaboration rather than competitiveness, a holistic approach rather than egoism, and stewardship rather than the bottom line.)

My mother-in-law, who has been a volunteer with NHCO for several years, told me about the VISTA opportunity. She was aware of my interest in AmeriCorps and she knew that I was looking for a new direction to take my skills and talents. Once I read the description of the Volunteer Coordinator position and learned of NHCO’s core values, I wanted to take that leap. I am forever grateful to my mother-in-law for leading me in this direction!

The guidance of my supervisor, my interactions with volunteers and the trust given to me through the staff has allowed me the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Developing these abilities would be my ultimate personal success. I still have plenty to learn; my experience as a VISTA with NHCO has put me on the right course.

It is my hope that I will continue to work with nonprofits and volunteers in a community service-based career path. It would be wonderful to find an opportunity that combines community planning and design with volunteerism and community service later on down the road. It is an honor to serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, especially with NHCO, because it is a place that allows me to grow.

Email Jen about her experience.

Erin Stevens, AmeriCorps*VISTA Faith in Action Coordinator

I was born and raised in West Virginia, and graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in May 2007.

Although I knew that I would eventually want to continue my education in law school, after graduation I decided to take a year away from school first. While searching for something useful to fill my year with I discovered AmeriCorps, which was the perfect match for me. AmeriCorps*VISTA allowed me commit a year to service while developing leadership skills and contributing to society in a meaningful way. As I started the search for which AmeriCorps position I would take, North Hills Community Outreach immediately stood out for me. The commitment to their mission, vision and values was clear, and made me want to join them.

Throughout the last several months I have been given the opportunity to grow and develop skills that I believe are unique to the NHCO AmeriCorps*VISTA experience. The trust that has been placed in me and guidance that I have been given has helped me to succeed here, and given me the confidence in myself and my abilities that will serve me well throughout life.

As I start to make plans for what comes next, I am very grateful for my AmeriCorps* VISTA experience. I am excited to be continuing my education this fall at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where I received a scholarship (due in part, I’m certain, to my AmeriCorps experience). I am confident that the skills I have learned while at NHCO will serve me well in law school and beyond.

Email Erin about her experience.