AmeriCorps VISTA Class 2025 Q2 Reporting

TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Quarterly Report: Advancing Sustainability and Building Capacity

Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA) AmeriCorps VISTA members are making transformative contributions across the region, addressing critical challenges, through projects, VISTA members are building organizational capacity, advancing sustainability, and enhancing community engagement. This quarter, their efforts spanned a range of impactful initiatives:

Enhancing Community Resources

Cecilia Schenking at Maryland Nonprofits expanded the resource library at Maryland Nonprofits, supporting underfunded nonprofits with vital tools. Her work on the Standards for Excellence program revised 28 educational packets, strengthening organizational practices across the nonprofit sector. Collaborating with organizations, Cecilia reinforced the importance of capacity building within communities.

Empowering Community Design and Strategic Engagement

Jacie Peacock at the Neighborhood Design Center played a key role in community-focused design projects, supporting strategic planning efforts. By managing volunteer designers and project deliverables, Jacie amplified the center’s ability to meet community design needs and sustainable development.

Addressing Basic Needs and Food Security

Nicole Magor at Towson University’s Basic Needs Hub achieved an 80% increase in SNAP benefit applications, a testament to her development of volunteer training programs and food recovery partnerships. Her efforts laid the groundwork for expanding support services to include Medicaid application assistance, ensuring the sustainability of critical student resources.

Promoting Health and Wellness

Rennae Anderson at the University of Baltimore advanced the Bee Well Initiative by organizing impactful events like International Overdose Awareness Day, distributing 90 Narcan doses, and training 47 community members in opioid overdose response. Her collaboration on mental health campaigns reduced stigma and empowered those living with mental illness. Rennae also pursued professional development as a Community Health Worker, expanding her ability to address health needs.

Collective Impact Across the Region

These projects demonstrate the power of the TMA AmeriCorps VISTA program to create lasting change. By addressing food insecurity, public health, nonprofit capacity building, and community design, TMA VISTA members are advancing the organization's mission to mobilize higher education and community partnerships for the development of just, sustainable communities.

TMA remains committed to fostering transformative, community-driven solutions that address the region’s most pressing challenges. Through the dedication of our AmeriCorps VISTA members, we are co-creating a brighter future.