This month we are switching things up for our spotlight blog! Instead of highlighting the accomplishments of just one VISTA we are highlighting the great work the NCCE VISTA Cohort does together.
From September 18-20 NC Campus Engagement hosted our annual VISTA Welcome Retreat for each member of our cohort. This is a great opportunity for VISTAs to come together for the first time to talk about their experience thus far and create a sense of community amongst members. All 12 members of the cohort were able to participate in informational sessions exploring poverty in their service areas and professional development, giving them tools to be successful in the rest of their service term.
NC Afterschool Corps VISTA at Elon University, Sydney Gilbert delivered a training to the cohort focused on effective time management. Sydney engaged the audience by conducting workshops for VISTAs and tailoring her presentation to work that VISTAs often do.
Christina Wittstein, NCCE VISTA Program Manager, delivered sessions on poverty data and statistics as well as helping VISTAs navigate the higher education space as this may be a new area for them. Christina worked closely with the NCCE VISTA Leader, Madeline, to ensure that the 3-day retreat was engaging, informative and fired VISTAs up for a great year of service.
Throughout the retreat guest speakers had opportunities to come speak to the VISTA Cohort. Caroline Ketcham came to engage VISTAs in a discussion on how to best work with and support those who are neurodivergent. VISTA members discussed their interaction with community members and volunteers and how they can best improve their spaces and conduct to support a more collaborative space. Rhonda Kosusko came to work with VISTAs on their resumes and get them thinking about how life after VISTA will come upon them soon.
The retreat was not only work but also play as VISTAs showed their crafty side by making mosaic coasters to take home for their desks. VISTAs participated in a service project in collaboration with Promising Pages, the book bank of Charlotte. VISTAs colored and decorated bookmarks that will be given to each child who takes home a book with them from Promising Pages. At the end of the retreat members participated in a yoga session provided by Elon University Recreation & Wellness! The cohort participated in evening trivia and were able to bond more through shared meals at local Elon restaurants.
At the end of the retreat VISTAs had time to get together and discuss what they wanted out of their service year and potential events for the coming year. One VISTA said “I have enjoyed bonding with the other members of my cohort and feel confident that I can reach out to them for support or to collaborate on projects! I can’t wait to get to know them better and learn more about their organizations over this year!” With this event VISTAs are set up for success and now have a place to build a relationship with other members!
This blog past was written by NCCE VISTA Leader, Madeline DeLorenzo.