Leaving our Legacy

As our AmeriCorps term is wrapping up, we’ve been talking a lot about the legacy we are leaving to our organizations, and it makes me incredibly happy to think about everything we’ve given to our partner organizations this year.

As the Statewide Leader, I have had insight into the work of all VIP Fellows across California over the last year, and every day I have heard something new that put me in awe of the great things happening at our partner organizations:  A huge event staffed totally by volunteers; a new project put into motion by a VIP and kept in motion by dedicated volunteers; new tracking systems put in place; new ways of recruiting; and new positions created for volunteers that allow our organizations to serve more clients – this is the kind of news we get every day.  With 140 dedicated members working hard at as many different partner organizations, progress is made constantly.

I feel so privileged to be a part of a group whose passion and dedication will be sustained in the organizations they have served for years to come.  As a program, we’ve done something so much larger than the services provided this year.   We’ve created the systems that will allow that service to continue for years to come.  We’ve created the structures that will allow organizations get more support, allow volunteers to contribute to the well-being of their community and to develop their own skills, and provide more services to clients in need of a helping hand. 

We have stepped out into our communities and led our neighbors towards service.  We grew as individuals and came alongside volunteers as they did the same.  I’m so thankful for this program, and incredibly happy to be a part of this great legacy we are leaving behind.

THANK  YOU to all of our hardworking VIP Fellows finishing up their terms in the next couple of days.  It's been a great year and we've done great work - let's be proud of what we've accomplished!  It's been a fantastic term of service.