VIP Volunteers Help Improve Santa Ana Students’ Vision

On November 3^rd, Children’s Health Initiative of Orange County partnered with Kids Vision for Life and Santa Ana Unified School District to host a clinic that will provide free eye exams and glasses to two Santa Ana elementary schools, Walker and Roosevelt, whose students have some of the greatest needs in Orange County.  To prepare for the clinic, two screenings were held over two days to screen 1,550 students for vision imparities.  Throughout September the committee met at both schools preparing for the screenings and the major clinic that will be held at Walker Elementary in November.  After weeks of preparation, and with the help of five doctors and 30 volunteers we identified 275 students who will be returning for eye exams and free glasses. 

The screenings were a whirlwind as students from Kindergarten to 6^th grade came in droves to the library to be screened by our volunteers and doctors.  Volunteers from UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton, West Coast School of Nursing, and Children’s Health Initiative of Orange County worked diligently to see that the vision of all students was assessed.  Two volunteers shared their experience:

“The Kids Vision for Life Event opened my eyes up to how necessary community involvement is and how great of an impact it can have on people’s lives. It was such a fun and rewarding experience, yet at the same time devastating seeing all the children struggling with their vision. I am a senior attending Cal State University, Fullerton studying sociology and psychology, so I am glad I finally can be a part of something that embraces what I’ve been so interested in. It felt wonderful to give back the community and allow myself to open my eyes to issues beyond the scope of my world and what I am used to. I would have never known how great of an impact events like these had on the community if I had not been a part of it myself. I look forward to participating in more events like Kids Vision for Life and continue to make a difference within the community.”  – Amy Hollenbeck, long term CHI OC volunteer.

“I have always enjoyed working and being around children. Their personalities and smiles are contagious. The vision screening at Walker Elementary was rewarding because I know I made an impact in a child’s life. Coming across students that had difficulty reading the letters made me sad because I can imagine how they struggle in their classroom and at home. These events are truly amazing because they make a huge difference.”   –Dulce Navarro, Cal State Fullerton senior and long term CHI OC volunteer.

 

Volunteers left the Screenings sharing stories about adorably tiny Kindergarteners and hysterical sassy 5^th graders.  Each volunteer had dedicated their time to make a difference in the lives students who will undoubtedly never forget the enthusiastic kindness of all the wonderful volunteers.

Inspiration Thursday: Encouraging volunteer story from OC Food Access

"I came to a harvest at a time when I needed a community to reach out to me.  I was struggling with a long term illness, and was feeling very alone.  The prospect of fresh fruit and companionship pulled me out of bed and energized me enough to make some connections.  I was captured by the friendliness and excitement of the other volunteers.  Sampling the produce was also exciting.  I had never had an orange picked directly from the tree before.  The flavor and quality of a freshly picked orange blasted all of my expectations about what citrus should taste like.  It was a small healing moment for me.  I was so happy to be sending something so amazing to people who really needed a boost.  I could relate in that moment.

As time went on, and I had the opportunity to not only pick the fruit, but deliver it, recruit other volunteers, and get deeper into the Harvest Club community, I came to love it more and more.  I was able to talk with growers about their trees, some with long history.  I saw just how many oranges would go to waste if we hadn't picked them.  I witnessed the joy it brought to people who received the produce.  And I got excited about finding new and better ways to serve this community.  I definitely look forward to being involved with this group for years to come.

"

-Sarah Vay Kerns (Volunteer from OC Food Access)

From a Volunteer: Reading with KorehLA has long-term impact

Every Thursday I looked forward to the sound of Marshale, my KOREH L.A. reading partner, sprinting down the hallway of her school to greet me at 1:00PM in the front office of Crescent Heights Elementary School. Each time, Marshale welcomed me with a hug. Then, she’d giggle, bury her face in her hands and lead me to the library. Together, we’d sit side-by side on the floor of her library’s reading corner.


Each session, Marshale  chose  a book from her library’s shelves to read together that day. Most often it was an “Amelia Bedelia” book. From time to time, I’d bring a special book from home that I thought would interest her. Her favorite book from my collection was Queen Rania’s “The Sandwich Swap."


During one session, Marshale took out her cell phone from her backpack (when the librarian was not around) and asked me if she could take my picture. She wanted to program my picture into her phone. She asked for my phone number, too. That same night, she called. While I heard mostly giggles on the other end of the phone, it simply warmed my heart to know that she really had no reason to call, except that it was her way of reaching out to me.


Back at school, Marshale began to enjoy reading. I could see it in her eyes. Her confidence was building, too.


Not only did Marshale learn from me, but I learned from her. She taught me how to do a dance called the “dougie”. She told me I “dougied” better than her mom.


 In May, I got a call from Marshale’s mom with the news that her family was moving. Marshale would be changing schools mid-year. An instant sadness came over me, but I soon realized that I was just thankful to have been able to spend the time that I had with her. Our last session came sooner than we had both expected, or wanted. During this time, I gifted her with my copy of “The Sandwich Swap.”


Just this fall, I received a homemade book in the mail from Marshale. She had created and illustrated a book about prepositions at her new school. Each page highlights a particular preposition and has a phrase that demonstrates its proper usage. Sweet illustrations accompany each page. The first page, for example, highlights “Outside” and says “The Ball is Outside” while the second page highlights “Around” and says “Around the flower there were puddles.”


When I called to thank Marshale for the book, she could not wait to tell me that she had just received her first report card. She proudly informed me that she was getting an “A” in reading at her new school! Marshale will always have a very special place in my heart. I trust that I will be lifelong friends with Marshale, and my wish for her is that as she matures into a young woman, to always remember her newly acquired love for reading.  

What it's like to volunteer - from one of our volunteers!

Across the state, VIP Fellows will recruit over 15,000 volunteers.  That's a big number... but what does that mean?  What do they do?  What is it like?  Why would someone volunteer?  It's difficult to grasp the impact of volunteering from a number on its own.

To give some more context, here is a picture of what volunteering is like for Blake Caropino, a volunteer at the VIP partner site Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County.

"I have been volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club in Seaside, California for about a month now and thanks to my AmeriCorps VIP, Joseph Garcia, I was able to quickly start leading activities with the children at the club.  

It has allowed me to become a positive role model and rapidly become a new member of an already awesome community. In my short time at the club I have become an integral part in ensuring youth served are having a great experience in every activity I run with them. I am quickly learning that I am not only helping other members of the community grow but, that I am also gaining personal growth as well. This has been a fulfilling experience that I wish everyone would want to be a part of at some point in their life."

Thank you to Blake and all of our volunteers for sharing yourselves with our programs!   Your service makes a real difference in your community, and we hope that it makes a difference in your life as well.

"It's our moral obligation"

Happy Friday!  As we head into Independence Day weekend, let's reflect on our great country and the spirit of service that makes us who we are.  In AmeriCorps, we've dedicated our year to get things done for America, and let's celebrate the great things we and our volunteers are doing for our neighbors and our communities.

Here is a great encouragement and challenge that reflects the dedication to service we all feel.  It comes from Karen, a featured volunteer with Twin Lakes Church and United Way through the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz:

"I'm always looking for opportunities in the community, it's a fantastic way to reach out areas you might not know as well. There are so many avenues for volunteering, whether it's an opportunity to work directly with someone or to work behind the scenes. United Way provides a tremendous chance to plug into the community with your skill set. We all have a moral obligation to help people who are in need. We've all had tough times in our lives and appreciate the people who have worked to alleviate those troubles. Now we have a chance to turn around and help someone else. " 

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We'd also like to give a big THANK YOU to the few VIP Fellows whose term of service with AmeriCorps ended yesterday.  Thank you for your passion, your time, and skills in building great volunteer programs this year.  Best of luck in all that you do, and we hope you spend Monday celebrating this great place and the great things you've done for it this year.

Looking Back Over the Year - Make a Difference Day 2010

As the year starts to wrap up, we can see the incredible difference VIP Fellows have made across the state by mobilizing volunteers.  The following is a reflection from a volunteer at Make a Difference Day, one of the National Days of Service, at CSU Monterey Bay.  This piece appeared in the university's Illuminator publication in November.

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 What a Difference We Made...

     Actually, that’s incorrect.  I didn’t do anything except take pictures and watch.  But I feel lucky enough to have witnessed one of the largest collaborative gatherings of CSUMB students for a cause in a long time.  The occasion?  Make A Difference Day 2010.  As I watched Soledad St. in Salinas transform that day, I saw about 50 student volunteers from Out & About, W.H.A.A.T, Return of the Natives, Service Learning Institute, several fraternities & sororities and many other student organizations working hard together in a way I have never seen, at least at CSUMB.

                                 I may have not had a chance to get my hands dirty (even though in hindsight I wish I had!), but I did see that when people come together for a good cause, magic can happen.  When I arrived, it was dreary, the street was dirty and the overcast sky blotted out any light, but as the day unfolded and the sun emerged I discovered a healthy community thriving on good vibes and collaborative action.

     I saw artists painting raised garden beds with children.  I saw the students hand fresh fruit to the homeless.  I saw an entire block littered with garbage be transformed into a beautiful street full of life and activity.  I saw a band perform a free show for anyone to hear.  I saw donations being given to the non-profits organizing the event.  I saw a weedy and empty lot become clean and traversable again.  I saw smiles.  I hear laughter and music.  I smelled sunflowers and fresh vegetables being harvested.  I tasted fresh fruit given freely for all to share.  I felt amazed; the progress made in such a short time! 

     When people organize for humanitarian projects, wonderful things happen.  Having witnessed a beautiful coming together of many people from many different cultures, backgrounds, and ages, I can’t help but to wonder about what is still possible.  The CSUMB community may be mostly young and transitory, but Make A Difference Day 2010 gave me a good feeling about what we can accomplish if we really put our minds (and hands!) to it.  I wonder what we will set our sights upon next.

               I learned that if we truly commit, and we are willing to get our hands dirty… 

we really CAN make a difference.

by Joshua Reed-Doyle

Volunteer Vision: A story from CalSERVES After School

We love our volunteers.  They are the best resources in our program, and they make a huge difference in nonprofits around the state.  They not only allow organizations to make a bigger impact, but they themselves are often changed through the service they so generously offer. 

The following is a statement from Verenice Chavez, a volunteer at the CalSERVES after school program at Taylor Mountain Elementary School in Santa Rosa, CA.  Verenice was recruited by VIP Fellow Richelle Andrae.

"My experience with CalSERVES has very much impacted my life in a positive way. When I started to volunteer, my objective was to be updated on both my sisters who attend the program.  I also attended the program when I was in elementary.

As time passed by, I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with a third grade class at Taylor Mountain. Being in that classroom twice a week helping out the mentors, I had one on one time with the kids and I realized most of them didn't have the resources CalSERVES offered. Those kids are very talented and with the little push we give them they will go a long way. They may not show they have been impacted, but if you see the changes from the beginning of the year till now, it has shown they have grown in many aspects. I know I wanted to help kids as a career choice.  This experience made me comprehend that I want to be more than just a teacher, but a mentor too. I never would have thought those kids would have so much to learn from. They may be small but they sure know what they are talking about. There's not a day where I don't remember them, all of them I shared moments with, and their ways of being."