Celebrating Impact: TMA VISTA Projects in Action
Every year, TMA VISTA Leaders and Staff embark on an incredible opportunity to visit AmeriCorps VISTA Projects....Why do we do this!?
Site visits are a vital part of TMA’s AmeriCorps VISTA program, serving as opportunities to connect, support, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our member campuses and communities. These visits allow TMA staff to observe firsthand the innovative projects led by our VISTA members, provide tailored guidance, and share best practices. They also strengthen the partnerships between host sites and TMA, ensuring alignment with our mission of fostering sustainable communities. Most importantly, site visits highlight the tangible impact our VISTA members make in addressing critical community needs, from food insecurity to civic education.
At Loyola University, VISTA members are making meaningful connections with the community. Grace is progressing Loyola’s food security and access initiative. The motto, "Take what you need, share what you can," embodies the spirit of community and mutual support. She’s collaborating with design students to build a sustainable outdoor structure for the community fridge—an incredible step toward promoting food security. Meanwhile, Shelby, serving in the Loyola York Strong Schools program, is focusing on strengthening ties with Govans and Walter P. Carter elementary/middle schools, ensuring that these partnerships thrive and make a lasting impact by focusing on parent volunteers!
At Towson University’s Basic Needs Hub, Nicole is driving change. She’s expanding the network of food-sharing resources and conducting research for an exciting new initiative—a potential school garden!
In the Bee Well Initiative program at the University of Baltimore, Rennae is continuing her outstanding service into a second year. Building on the Peer Health Educator Program (PHEP) she launched during her first year, Rennae successfully brought U Balt into the Maryland Collaborative, a statewide effort to reduce college drinking and related challenges. Two PHEP members now serve on the Collaborative’s student advisory board, representing the U Balt community!
Jacie at the Neighborhood Design Center is hitting the ground running. She’s using community maps and surveys to assess the effectiveness of existing services, identify areas for improvement, and uncover unmet needs, paving the way for impactful solutions.
In the mountains of West Virginia, Jennifer Sunryder is working towards food security at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College. She is organizing a Food Pantry project, creating a cabinet in the student union where students can access food. The college has no cafeteria and Jennifer would like students to have the ability to get nutrition before classes and throughout the day.
At Carroll Community College in Westminster, Maryland, TMA VISTA member promotes wellbeing through the college’s Resource Database. Students can access numerous wellness programs through the database. Students also take a health survey when arriving on campus. This allows students’ health to be monitored and gives them the opportunity to find resources to improve their wellbeing.
In Prince George’s County, the TMA VISTA serving at Bowie State University helps coordinate the Nutrition Lounge, providing students with food and hygiene products. The program is rolling out a new app that will streamline orders and make it easier for students to see inventory. The TMA VISTA is particularly proud of the positive space that the Nutrition Lounge offers.
The Civic Circle, located in Silver Springs, Maryland, is home to TMA VISTA Conner Barron. Conner coordinates programs for K-5 students to develop civic skills through the arts. In addition, this fall the The Civic Circle hosted the Democracy Concert collaborating with many local organizations and artists to bring poetry, art and songs to the community. Moving forward, Conner plans on opening up the civic skills program to middle and high school students as well.