Hi everyone, I'm Joni. And here's my story...
Life sure is funny sometimes isn't it? Well, it's a lot of things... but it's interesting how meeting one stranger can change your perceptions, your plans, and your life immediately. My past few years have fell into place without having to make many decisions, which is great for my indecisive personality. One event has led straight into another amazing opportunity for me, and now I'm on yet another adventure with AmeriCorps VISTA. Let me explain:
It was early 2007 in Oceanside, California. I sipped my morning coffee in the college cafeteria before class and noticed a flyer (the first and only time I ever looked at the bulletin board!) for an alternative spring break in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for helping Katrina survivors. Cool, I thought - a free vacation to help people in need. So I helped raise $$$ and had a life-changing week in the South. My eyes were opened to a new community of people who wanted to reach out a hand to their neighbors. I was so impressed with their high spirits, despite their obstacles.
There I worked with an AmeriCorps NCCC team. NCCC? National Civilian Community Corps. When I saw how close (and diverse!) their team was and the impact they had on these amazing and helpless people, I knew right away I wanted to join the program... as long as my husband would support me. And he did, since I supported him through his journey in the Marine Corps. So in 2008 I spent 10 months working with D.C. youth, planting trees and building a treehouse in Vermont, building an artificial oyster reef in Georgia, trail maintenance in Florida, invasive species removal in Maryland, and probably most importantly, disaster relief in Galveston, Texas.
We were the 1st team to arrive in Galveston after Hurricane Ike, if you could only imagine what that was like. No electricity, trees and lines down, dead animals on porches, and debris everywhere. I worked with the national guards and law enforcement center, but finally felt I was doing the most with the American Red Cross. They seemed to hit the right pockets in town where the needs were highest. I fed hungry children and families on the ERVs and felt so satisfied yet heartbroken at the end of each day. I gained so much respect for the Red Cross during my stay in Texas.
After NCCC, I felt a void in my life as I headed back home to Indiana. How can I make a difference here at home? What is there to offer me here anyway? Then I found a VISTA opportunity here in Indianapolis. What better way to give back to my community than the organization I believe in most! I don't know what some families would do without the help of the Red Cross, and I'm proud to have this opportunity to work with them.
My decisions were practically made for me as everything seemed to fall into place with every opportunity, practically like the Domino Effect. So, in conclusion (if you actually read all of this!), please don't be afraid to take risks and advantage of ANY opportunity that may present itself to you. The experiences and people you meet on the way will change your life!! I wish an awesome year with VISTA for all of you...
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Domino Effect
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Knitting Group Day Change
Hey, knitters/crocheters/embroiderers!
We've switched our VISTA knitting group day to Thursdays starting today. We will still meet weekly from about 5.30-8.00 at the Monon Coffee Co. in Broad Ripple. Drop in for as long as you want.
As always, we are willing teachers!
We want to hear about you!
Happy July VISTAs!
As the summer months continue to blaze on by, changes in the VISTA world are occurring just as swiftly! There have been a number of new VISTAs that have joined our ranks in June and I for one would love to hear all about them.
A while back many of us posted our VISTA profiles and I'd like to encourage new members (as well as old members who didn't get around to it the first time) to share about themselves, what brought them to VISTA, and how they're finding the experience thus far. Don't be shy about being the first to post as many others have gone before you! Follow the link below to see past VISTA Profiles and gain inspiration for your own life summary!
http://indianavista.blogspot.com/search/label/VISTA%20Profiles
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Free Marketing Opportunity!
Hey all- I just came across this opportunity and wanted to pass it along. The organization you are working with may benefit from this or you may know of another organization that could benefit. Pass it along to whoever you think would be interested!
Vision3 invites non-profit organizations to submit applications before the Monday, July 20 deadline for the 3rd Annual CreateAthon®, to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2009. CreateAthon, in its 12th year internationally, is a 24-hour blitz during which Vision3 will provide design and interactive services on a pro-bono basis to select 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that have little or no marketing budget. Applications are at www.v3createathon.com.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Starfish's call for mentors...
Starfish Initiative was on Fox 59 news this morning. Our Mentor Service Director is sending 48 hours on the roof of our building in hopes of recruiting 48 new mentors. Here's the news clip... http://www.fox59.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3915734
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a mentor for a high school student in the Indy area, call Starfish at 955-7912. You have to be 21 or older and have or be in the process of getting a college degree.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
VISTA Handboook Online
Apparently I'd nipped out to get coffee when they covered this at PSO...
...gosh sometimes one feels dumb...
THE VISTA Handbook is online, and is quite comprehensive; it will probably answer many of my (and your?) end-of-service/ed award/etc questions.
You can find it at http://www.americorps.gov/help/vistahandbook
Monday, June 22, 2009
Education Award
Okay, I know us June VISTAs just got out of service Friday, but I'm trying to use my Ed Award and I am curious if anyone else has done it? I want to use it to pay off my student loans (well, a couple of them anyway!) but I'm confused... all of the tutorials say that if you submit your voucher with a request for how you want to Ed award used in writing that they will honor it. Well, since the Corporation is no longer using vouchers, but has everything go through the AmeriCorps Portal, I don't know how to do it! If I write a letter to Sallie Mae and they don't get it the same time as the electronic money, then the funds will be misappropriated and I'm not sure if that can be fixed... Any alumni got tips?!
Who needs a furry friend?
Hi VISTAs, well, I guess I'm an alumnus now, but I can still blog. (evil laugh)
Anyways, as some of you know, my next adventure is to move to South Korea and teach Kindergarteners how to speak English. I am very excited about this, of course, but that leaves a few ends here....
Such as: I have 2 adorable kitties!!! Would anyone be interested in having a kitty for a year? They are both declawed (mean, I know, but the furniture stays intact) and spayed, and, as far as I know, do not have any illnesses.
Arwyn is about 9 years old. She likes: dvd players, windows, and acting like a potatoe. She is orange stripey.
Rory is 2 1/2 -- still in cute, playful stage. She likes drinking from the toilet, sleeping in the back of closets, and cuddling. (I've only had her since January, so don't blame me for her quirks). She is gray and white and has big paws which are pretty cute. If Arwyn were Garfield, she would be Normal.
So, if you are looking for a cute, cuddly friend, let me know!!! You can email me at: jlluttrell(at)
Put the rest here (make sure and click on "Edit HTML" to be sure your text is within the "span" tags.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
You're Invited!
Hey, all! I'm moving across town and then out of state, so I've got a bunch of stuff that I am going to sell. I thought that I'd give my fellow VISTAs first dibs on whatever you want. It's mostly books, framed prints, candles, wrapping paper, etc. at this point, but you can eyeball furniture and stuff that I'm not sure about yet, too. Most everything will be discounted 100% for current VISTAs because we gotta look out for each other, eh?
You can come by my place this Saturday the 20th starting at 4pm. There will also be a backyard summery celebration of sorts that you're welcome to stick around for. You can email me at madelyn [dot] boesen [at] gmail [dot] com or RSVP on the Facebot event page.
