Reflections on a Year with TMA VISTA: A Journey of Service and Growth
Discovering the Impact of Service
As my year with Transform Mid-Atlantic's (TMA) VISTA program comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey it has been. A standout highlight of my time here was the opportunity to interview TMA VISTA alumni while helping establish a TMA VISTA alumni network. Through these conversations, I learned about the amazing things they were doing and how they remained committed to service in their lives and careers.
Most of the people I spoke with were still engaged in service or community engagement in one way or another, and their stories and backgrounds were fascinating. I spoke to a Navy veteran who spent her service year helping fellow veterans with workforce development, an alumnus who had run an international award-winning non-profit, and a woman who had experienced homelessness and later gave back by working for the organization that helped her get back on her feet.
The Impact of AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) has a long-standing tradition of addressing poverty through capacity building in local organizations. Established in 1965, VISTA members serve across the United States, working to improve education, create economic opportunities, and strengthen communities. Over the decades, VISTA members have contributed millions of hours of service, demonstrating the power of dedicated individuals to create lasting change.
Advice for Current and Prospective VISTA Members
To anyone considering a service year or those currently serving—regardless of age—I have a piece of advice: embrace the learning journey. As someone "of any age" (read: "old"), I can assure you that age doesn't matter because the experience is a continuous learning opportunity. Whether you're building bridges literally or figuratively, you need to get your hands dirty and tackle whatever work comes your way.
The concept of a growth mindset may seem cliché, but it's vital, especially in a small non-profit where you'll have to do a lot of everything and learn it on the fly. My advice is to dive in, try new things, learn, and grow. Take advantage of your supervisor as a resource—I was fortunate to forge a collaborative relationship and learned a lot from them, from Canva to even astrology!
A Humbling Perspective Shift
Throughout my service year, I experienced a humbling shift in perspective. I thought I had accomplished a few things in my life (again, read: "old"), but hearing about the achievements of various alumni was humbling—in a good way. For instance, I learned about an alumnus who works for two non-profits, started a third one, and is still going to school. These stories opened my eyes to the incredible capabilities of people and the passion, hard work, and heart required to make a difference.
Looking Forward
As I move forward, I'm most excited about the people I will meet along the way. Doing good work attracts good people. Over the past year, I've been fortunate to work alongside extraordinary coworkers, dedicated community engagement practitioners in higher education, and amazing alumni. I hope to follow in their footsteps and find meaningful, purpose-driven work, knowing there will be people along the way to be inspired by and learn from.