This month, we’re excited to highlight Kristina, who brings a blend of experience in mental health care and a deep commitment to community service. Before becoming a VISTA member, Kristina had spent time working in mental health care, but the opportunity to serve with AmeriCorps had always been on her mind. When she discovered the job posting for a VISTA role at Alamance Community College (ACC), it felt like fate. Having attended ACC as a student and grown up with the support of the college’s daycare while her mother earned a culinary degree, Kristina felt a strong connection to the college and the community. Now, through the VISTA program, she’s able to give back in a meaningful way, continuing to serve the community that helped shape her.
Alamance Community College is a two-year institution focused on workforce development, offering diverse programs in fields such as agriculture, dental, automotive, law enforcement, fire safety, cosmetology, and many others. With partnerships with universities like University of North Carolina Greensboro, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, ACC offers pathways for students to continue their education beyond the associate level. The college plays a key role in equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their careers, and Kristina’s work is helping make sure students can access the resources they need to succeed, both in and outside of the classroom.
As the Food and Nutrition Resiliency VISTA at ACC, Kristina focuses on combating food insecurity on campus. She oversees the operation of two food pantries, a snack wall, produce bags, and the EZ Meals program, ensuring that students have access to food even when funds are tight. One of Kristina’s key accomplishments has been recruiting a new community partner to donate bread to the pantries, further expanding the resources available to students. Additionally, through a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, Kristina has helped expand pantry space, adding a new fridge that will soon serve as the pick-up location for produce bags on campus. Her work also includes raising awareness about food insecurity both on campus and within the broader Alamance County community. For example, ACC participated in the Burlington Christmas Parade for the first time in November as part of the NC Collegiate Hunger Challenge, helping to shine a spotlight on this important issue.
Looking ahead, Kristina is focused on building more connections within the community, particularly with local high schools, to create conversations about food insecurity and exploring practical ways to address the issue. Her goal is to inspire others to take part in solving this challenge, making it a shared responsibility among everyone in the community.
One of Kristina’s proudest moments was organizing the MLK Day of Service Event, made possible by a grant from the Partnership Alliance. Working with the Horticulture Department, Kristina designed a hydroponic workshop to teach participants how to grow plants using water instead of soil. The event, which aimed for 50 attendees, exceeded expectations with 73 participants! Beyond hosting the workshop at ACC, Kristina also brought the session to Benevolence Farm and is now collaborating with the horticulture class at The Hawbridge School in Graham. This event marked a milestone in Kristina’s VISTA service and exemplified her commitment to hands-on, community-driven solutions.
Throughout her service year, Kristina has grown both professionally and personally. One of the challenges she’s faced has been stepping out of her comfort zone, particularly when it comes to public speaking and community engagement. However, these experiences have helped her transition from simply identifying problems to actively organizing and finding solutions. A major milestone was being featured on the news—a huge personal achievement. This year has been all about pushing boundaries, and Kristina is proud of the growth she’s experienced and the work she’s been able to accomplish.
After her service year concludes, Kristina is unsure of what’s next but is eager to continue working in the field of community development. She is passionate about empowering young people to get involved in shaping their communities and is excited about the possibilities for the future. One thing is certain: Kristina’s impact in the Alamance County community will be felt long after her VISTA service ends.
Learn more about Kristina’s impact in her community in her interview with Fox News here.
This blog was written by Alice Chesley-Akhtar with information and support from Kristina Torain