So I have finished 1/3rd of my year as a Vista. When I started I was very ambitious ready to sink my teeth into the community and my organization. I was on the brink of a new life and I did not know what to expect. I went to Boston and completed my PSO. I returned to Minneapolis and showed up to my organization on the next Monday. I could not guess what my first day was going to be, who I would meet. So I walk in and say hello to Michael the program supervisor here at PCTV and my mentor and partner. I was ready to pounce at any task he would give me. After I set down my bag and removed about six layers of clothing (This is Minneapolis in January, and I ride a bicycle every year all year; it's not so bad it just takes some preparation and determination) we got started. What happened, what was the beginning of it all. This is what Michael said "Well we should probably get you some keys for the building and all". That is what I had been waiting for, it was sort of a shock to me at first. Then is when I realized that Vista life wasn't going to be a superhero action movie, it was going to be regular life, with a more positive and rewarding purpose.
So the first day passed, I got my keys, met the staff and the after school youth and got my desk in order. At this point I had no idea what was next. What was I suppose to do. The next few weeks were filled with learning Acronyms that I still don't know the meanings of and trying to remember who is connected to which one. I had a meeting with the staff and we started talking about what it was that I was going to be doing at PCTV over the course of the year and when I should be doing it. I started researching, ideating and thinking a lot. It's been four months. I have planned out two new websites, started an after school graphic design workshop, and mostly just gotten adjusted to working in the non-profit world.
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Hey Derek,
Great insights on the first 1/3 of a VISTA year. I'm still waiting for my super VISTA powers to kick in myself, and I'm almost 20 months in!
-Danielle
I remember my first 'real' job out of college was working at a food bank. One of the most meaningful days I had was when the food bank director handed me the keys to the food bank - this is where the food to feed our whole community was held. Food that helped so many impoverished people get better (or at least get by). An equally moving day was giving those keys back when my term ended...