Category: Vista Blog

“Literacy Outreach teaches essential literacy skills to adults in Garfield County. Basic literacy students struggle with reading, writing, math, and/or learning the English language. Volunteers are the crux of the program and do 100% of the teaching, mainly via a one-on-one venue. The literacy skills these volunteers impart are the necessary foundation for people to fully integrate into their community and reach their full potential as employees, parents, and neighbors.

As an AmeriCorps VISTA at Literacy Outreach, my mission is to build capacity so more students can receive the personalized literacy instruction they need. There are plenty of adults eager to learn on the wait list over 100 people long with an average wait time of over two years.

My efforts are focused on recruiting more volunteers to teach these crucial literacy skills. I created and run an Instagram page for Literacy Outreach, and also run the Facebook page. I write press releases, submit PSAs to local radio stations, distribute flyers and posters, and organize and execute volunteer recruitment efforts for Literacy Outreach at community events.

Additionally, I work to secure funds through grant writing and fundraising events to ensure Literacy Outreach can continue to operate and expand services. Efforts have been focused on two upcoming fundraising events: the annual Canyon Shuffle 5K and half-marathon on Saturday, October 5th, and for the first time Quiz for a Cause trivia night in conjunction with Geeks Who Drink on Tuesday, October 29th.”

http://literacyoutreach.org/

 Stepping into an event at which the cream of the intellectual world were speaking, or in attendance, is simply a privilege beyond words. The amount of sheer influence, whether political or financial, was so palpable you could nearly reach out and cup a little helping into your hands, even if it was only to savor that fleeting moment. Simply put, I was star struck, but beyond the glitz, glamour, and prestige; at its core, Aspen Ideas Festival was an event that brought to the mainstage our nation’s deepest needs for unity, equity, and wellbeing. The strongest kernel of truth from that day has resonated, entirely. Regardless of social stance, all in attendance, whether spectator or speaker, were actively pursuing strategies in developing a more inclusive America. 

Out of all the speakers, from last Wednesday’s sessions, former United States Secretary of The State John Kerry had the most impactful message, by far. He spoke to our nation’s turbulent political arena, instability, and the level of manipulation that has taken place this past year and a half. We’re living in a time where our rights, specifically from our Latino Communities, are being brazenly stripped away for the world to see. He believes that the only solution is to create policies that ensure the wellbeing of our neighbors to the south – Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Central America as a whole. 

Rather than acting in violence, however, John Kerry spoke to the strength of utilizing the power of civility to enact change. He assured everyone that only speaking of civility will achieve nothing. As a nation, from its roots in American communities, we must exhaust every possibility for diplomacy and respect for all our neighbors, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation. In summary, we must take ownership, not only of our strengths, but also our shortcomings, if we hope to make a positive change in the lives of everyone. We must do something and that more than likely is a simple hello, or kind gesture, to someone who’s different than you. 

Working at YouthZone, under United Way Battlement of The Bells as an AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer, I’ve seen that exact message in use daily, for nearly eight months now. It’s one of YouthZone’s most prominent policies; we never turn anyone away, for any reason. It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter how much money you may, or may not, have and whatever you’re experiencing, big or small, is important to us as well. These are the spaces that the most tangible change can take place, within the structures of our local support networks and it’s up to our communities, like The Roaring Fork Valley, to continue actively supporting our neighbors; not just talking about it. 

Thanks to the generosity of Comcast and NBC, our local United Way Battlement to The Bells had the privilege of attending Aspen Ideas Festival 2018. Thank you, Comcast and NBC, for supporting our local nonprofits.