Download - 13 - 14 VYDC Winter Newsletter
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 1
Greetings from the VYDC office in Montpelier, VT
We are happy to bring you the first of three newsletters featuring the 2013-2014
Vermont Youth Development Corps AmeriCorps State Program (VYDC) team.
VYDC members serve around Vermont at innovative, youth-focused organizations
that address critical community issues. VYDC builds community support for preven-
tion and intervention programs that help youth thrive and ultimately become healthy,
engaged citizens. Through VYDC, members help communities embrace and value
targeted, results-driven investment in youth initiatives. This year, we have 21 mem-
bers serving at local non-profit organizations, municipalities, and statewide agencies
around Vermont.
For this newsletter members were asked to introduce themselves, explain what led
them to AmeriCorps service and their site, and discuss what they hope to accomplish
this year through their service.
We hope you enjoy learning more about our wonderful VYDC members. We look
forward to sharing with you their progress throughout the year!
Please take a moment to check out the accomplishments of last year’s team as well –
the numbers say it all, page 13.
Kindest wishes,
Callie Frey, Assistant Director of National Service Programs
VYDC Chronicles Vermont Youth Development Corps
AmeriCorps State Program
Contact our office to request assis-
tance or an accommodation.
In this issue:
Jessie Mazar 2
Ben McShane 3
Karen Taylor 4
Daniel Olmschenck 5
Kathrine Mansfield 6
Jesilyn Amsden 7
Alyson Wall 8
Olivia DeJohn 9
Training Plan 10-11
SerVermont Launch 12
12-13
Accomplishments
13
Jessica Jackson 14
Sam Rothberg 15
Emily Wilson 16
Sarah Petrokonis 17
VYDC Contact Information
18
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 2
Yesterday, I was
asked by Srish, a Ne-
pali 14-year old reset-
tled in Vermont, what
super power I would
want if I could pick
one. I responded, the
way that I always
have, that I would like
to be able to fly. “You
know, just step for-
ward and up, weight-
less, and soar though
the sky. Wouldn’t that
be cool?” I reciprocated the question to the stu-
dents. Srish responded that he would like to
make a pot of rice, and every time that you
reached the bottom it would magically refill.
Supai, a high school girl, also resettled in Bur-
lington seven months ago, said that people
might waste the rice then because they would
not value it. She said that she would make a
wand that she could bring to Nepal to make
houses for people to live in. I did not think
much of it at the time, but that evening when
someone asked me what I am grateful for, that
conversation resurfaced in my memory.
This is the reason why I serve with VYDC- for
the constant awakening that youth can bring and
the opportunity to create a space where students
can share their stories. Since March, I have had
the opportunity to serve with Burlington School
Food Project as the Farm to School Educator. In
the past nine months I have worn many different
hats including teacher, farmer, presenter, bee-
keeper, historian, goat herder, after school facil-
itator, fundraiser, and lunch lady. I
am constantly amazed at how much
can happen in one day while I serve
with Burlington School Food Pro-
ject.
I have lived in the Burlington com-
munity on and off for the past five
years, which has made my transi-
tion into this position smooth.
While living in Vermont, I have
worked on a variety of garden pro-
jects: with youth, senior citizens,
Mexican migrant farm workers,
and adults. I am so grateful to have
the opportunity to do the work that
I care about as a part of Ameri-
Corps and I look forward to glean-
ing and sharing inspiration with all
of you.
Above:
Youth learn
about proper
care tech-
niques for
keeping
bees.
Right: Jessie
shares the
Burlington
School gar-
den’s potato
harvest.
Jessie Mazar
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Burlington School Food Project
Burlington, Vermont
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
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Ben McShane
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Winooski Teen Center
Winooski, Vermont
community, national issues, or world issues.
By being consciously aware of the impact
they can have on the people around them, I
hope to instill a passion for helping others
by being aware of how being a good person
makes them feel.
My personal favorite accomplishment so far
has been the meetings we have been having
as a group during snack time. Our topics of
discussion have ranged from Syria, to the
bullying scandal on the Miami Dolphins
football team, to the struggles each of us is
facing at
home.
The dia-
logue
has made
us a
close-
knit
group.
Kids
look for-
ward to
these
discus-
sions and
now
come prepared to bring up their own ideas
to the table. I feel like these little talks are
generating real thought provoking conver-
sations.
My hope for the future is to continue devel-
oping new frameworks for continued devel-
opment of youth. As my year of service
progresses, I hope to see a continued
change in behavior over time. I know the
community around me has already started
to change me.
Hi all!
My name is Benjamin McShane. I am
serving with the city of Winooski Youth
Programs. As Middle School Activities
Coordinator, my role is centralized
around our Middle School Open Hours.
I run active and engaging programing
for kids in grades 4 through 8 three
times a week. Our population is an ac-
tive one, where no two days seem to
flow the same…which I have truly
come to enjoy! This position is far from
static, and that has kept me more en-
gaged and more eager to come to the
community center each and every day.
As the winter months are starting to
creep up on us, we aren’t able to have as
many of our intense games of capture
the flag or basketball games, however,
many of our kids are just as rambunc-
tious inside the walls of our center.
Inside our center we have plenty of ac-
tivities to engage the youth in. We are
situated with nine computers which
have access to the internet. We have an
air-hockey table, a billiard table, and a
fuβball (soccer) table. We have a big
screen television with video games (the
youth love to play Pro Evolution Soc-
cer). We have numerous materials for
arts and crafts. Jenga is always a fan-
favorite in the space, as well as chess
and battleship.
My main goal is developing youth who
will become aware of the world around
them. Whether that means they under-
stand how they affect the people they
interact with on a daily basis, their local
Ben has fun
while apple
picking
with
Winooski
middle
schoolers.
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 4
Wisconsin, and graduated from Lew-
is & Clark College in Portland, Ore-
gon in the spring of 2013. As a teen-
ager, I learned best from hands-on
challenges. Throughout college, I
participated in and then later led ser-
vice trips on several fall and spring
breaks, all which expanded my pas-
sion for creating positive change. I
chose to serve with VYDC because
this program aims to give access to
those healthy experiential opportuni-
ties to all young people in Ver-
mont—regardless of their families’
financial capabilities.
This year at Maplehill, I am thrilled
to be involved in all the seasonal
changes that occur on a farm. This
winter, I hope to share my love of
cross-country skiing and snowshoe-
ing with students, and I’m currently
planning a beekeeping curriculum
for the spring months. I also hope to
lead an all-girl activity group later in
the year to provide a safe space for
Maplehill’s young women to talk
about their experiences and challeng-
es. One of our objectives as VYDC
members is to facilitate civic discus-
sions with youth, so I plan to lead a
workshop about anti-racism and cul-
tural competency. At Maplehill, the
staff is passionate about letting stu-
dents lead the charge, listening close-
ly to each young person’s interests
and desires. Above all, I hope to lis-
ten to the students, to give them re-
sponsibility in planning and execut-
ing projects, and to create positive
space where they can learn.
My name is Karen Taylor, and a couple of
months ago I began my year-long journey
at Maplehill School and Community Farm.
Maplehill provides two campuses for stu-
dent learning: one at a schoolhouse in
Plainfield, where students take classes in
small groups, and one on a farm in Marsh-
field, where students benefit from one-on-
one staff support. Maplehill is an independ-
ent school that caters to students in grades
7-12 who need more support than they
would receive in a traditional public
school. We provide experiential, vocation-
al, and service learning opportunities for
students, while focusing on close relation-
ships between students and staff.
At Maplehill, I take on a number of roles. I
provide classroom support for students
with learning and behavioral challenges.
This quarter, I am co-teaching a vocational
class called Farm Outreach & Marketing,
where we cultivate skills like event market-
ing and researching community needs. Ear-
lier in the fall, I helped har-
vest some of the produce
that we have been eating in
delicious, healthy lunches
each day. The fall has been
filled with getting to know
the students and getting
accustomed to their indi-
vidual learning styles and
needs.
My passion for experiential
education began during a
previous job as a canoe trip
leader for a wilderness
camp in northern Wiscon-
sin. I grew up in Appleton,
Karen Taylor
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Maplehill School and Community Farm
Plainfield, Vermont
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 5
I grew up in Small-Town Minnesota, lived in
Minneapolis for ten years before moving to
Vermont, and rock climb on a regular basis.
Degree? BA in English (creative writing).
Bicycle? Steel frame Fuji road bike, found in a
ditch.
Ballin status? Still.
The Northfield Teen Center (NTC) is a teen
organized space where youth between the ages
of 13-18 can explore, socialize, and chill. We
only have three rules: weapons free, substance
free, and respect (oneself, others, the space,
the community, etc.). The Teen Center has a
plethora of games and activities, but also some
significant lawn and outdoor space for running
and playing. We provide healthy food options,
a kitchen to cook in, and make Friday night
dinners that the teens are encouraged to help
create. The space also hosts the PREP sex edu-
cation programming and provides basic repro-
ductive health resources. At any given time the
space is staffed by at least two Washington
County Youth Service Bureau (WCYSB) staff
and service members, volunteers, and our
youth intern.
My motivation for serving in the space is an
intense desire to feel that people are affected
by my presence in the world in a positive way.
Working with youth is my favorite way of do-
ing that because of their spontaneity and ener-
gy level. Also, they believe in magic and
ghosts and stuff, which are often times better
gauges of a person’s real character than things
like political affiliations or careers (i.e., adult
conversation topics).
As a VYDC member at the Northfield
Teen Center, I would love to see the space
attract more youth. The Center has had
growing participation since I have started
my service there (which has allowed the
space to be open more), and I hope that the
donations of new equipment and the events
we are planning will bring in more young
people to check out the NTC. I would like
to initiate food awareness programming,
like gardening our own food, at the Teen
Center as well as fun and challenging
physical activities in hopes of getting
youth involved in a healthy lifestyle. I am
also greatly interested in having conversa-
tions about respect on a regular
basis, focusing on issues that the
Northfield youth may not have
direct exposure to, or don’t fully
comprehend what exposure they
have had and how that has af-
fected their views of others. Fi-
nally, I would like to provide
youth with methods of expres-
sion and coping, whether that
avenue is artistic, conversation-
al, meditative, or any other out-
let that respects them and others.
Daniel Olmschenck
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Northfield Teen Center
Northfield, Vermont
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 6
Kathrine Mansfield
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Committee On Temporary Shelter
Burlington, Vermont
teer position. This is going so well that I
am in the process of recruiting more vol-
unteers. This is also one of the few plac-
es in the workplace where my ballet
skills are useful, as I am starting a dance
class for kids. In addition to all of this,
we are now working to create a snack
program, using the VT Child and Adult
Care Food Program (CACFP) resource,
which we are hoping will be launched in
the next two months.
My main objective in this service role is
to get more community involvement at
COTS family shelter, especially with
activities, such as going to Petra Cliffs.
We are so close to so many adventures
that the possibilities are endless. These
current and future plans of action fit
snugly into the overarching mission of
my service: the creation a supportive en-
vironment in which children can be
physically and emotionally healthy.
Hi, I’m Kathrine Mansfield! I like to say that I’m
a Vermonter, but I’m only 2nd generation on one
side, and 1st on the other. I’m so Vermont that
when I moved to North Troy, VT having lived in
Burlington made me the most urban kid in
school! Dancing, singing, people, and the envi-
ronment are my passions. As you might guess,
given these interests, it was difficult to figure out
what profession I should pursue. I had just grad-
uated from the University of Vermont with a
Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Political Science
and Environmental Studies, and thought that I
was going to be a teacher. Then I realized that I
had other options. One thing led to another, and I
came upon the Committee on Temporary Shel-
ters (COTS) Children’s Programming Specialist
position through VYDC AmeriCorps, and found
that it was the place for me.
COTS is a nonprofit organization that provides
services and shelter for people who need such
supports in Vermont. COTS Family Shelter, the
branch in which I serve, provides housing for
families with young children in its two locations
in Burlington, VT. There are fifteen rooms for
families, with each family limited to 6-month-
long stays. As such, I have had the privilege of
meeting more than 40 children over the past 2
months. These kids range from ages 0-17, and
each contribute something new to my worldview.
My service thus far at COTS has included man-
aging volunteers, finding childcare, coordinating
an art display at Barnes and Noble, and creating
my own programs for which I can recruit volun-
teers. As my role is to promote healthy lifestyles,
I have just created and filled an activity volun-
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 7
This past September I started my sec-
ond year of service at The Collabora-
tive in Londonderry. The Collabora-
tive’s mission is to promote the devel-
opment of a healthy, involved com-
munity supporting substance free
youth in a caring environment.
I’ve enjoyed returning this year and
getting a chance to build on my rela-
tionships with students and many
community members. Being a second
year member has already enhanced
my ability to not only help my site run
smoothly and improve youth pro-
grams, but it has also been a great
asset when collaborating with new
AmeriCorps members.
I grew up in Orwell Vermont but have
spent my last year getting to know
Wallingford. I graduated from
Lyndon State College in Lyndonville
Vermont with a degree in two of my
passions, Graphic Design and Photog-
raphy. My camera is always in hand
ready to capture life’s details to incor-
porate into creative designs for others.
One of the most rewarding experienc-
es during my years in college was
being a member and senior leader on
the Women’s Soccer Team.
I was drawn to serve with the Ver-
mont Youth Development Corps be-
cause it was a hands on way to give
back to youth and communities in
Vermont. I enjoy the mixture of ages I
serve at my site and how different
each day can be. When I think ahead to my
year of service, my goals are to provide
successful enjoyable experiences for the
community and youth, as well as develop-
ing leadership and outreach opportunities
for our group of high school teens.
Although it’s only been a few months, I
have already taken part in providing so
many events and opportunities for the
youth and community. The Collaborative
has a great Refuse to Use program that em-
powers the area youth with knowledge and
resources to be substance free as well as
promotes an active lifestyle by providing a
discounted pass to a local ski/snowboard
resort, skating rink, or theater. I also take
part in planning and providing many sub-
stance free events such as broomball, mov-
ie nights, and dances.
The Collaborative also
has a daily extended
day program to provide
a safe fun space for
youth after school.
I’ve just started my sec-
ond year at The Collab-
orative but so far each
experience has been
rewarding. I look for-
ward to utilizing
knowledge and experi-
ence from my previous
year to build and devel-
op all that The Collabo-
rative offers to youth
and community mem-
bers in Southern Ver-
mont.
Jesilyn Amsden
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
The Collaborative
Londonderry, Vermont
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 8
Alyson Wall
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Operation: Military Kids
Burlington, Vermont
dren’s community through hands-on
learning. There is no better way to
connect people than through fun ac-
tivities that create exposure to natural
environments, community organiza-
tions, and others who inhabit the
same place as them! I am excited to
get to know the military families of
Vermont and provide kids with activ-
ities that connect them to one anoth-
er. I hope to increase participation;
create diverse programming with a
focus on physical and outdoor activi-
ties; as well as expand my own
knowledge about science and tech-
nology to design a stimulating Tech
Wizard programming. I am psyched
to be a part of such a wonderful or-
ganization for the next ten months
and have the opportunity to work
with other community organizations.
Hello Everyone!
My name is Alyson Wall. I graduated from
UVM this past May and have returned to
the beautiful Green Mountain State this
November. The state of Vermont keeps
pulling me back! For the next ten months I
will be serving with the UVM 4-H Exten-
sion program Operation: Military Kids
(OMK), providing programming and spe-
cial events for kids whose parents are in
the military, and striving to link military
kids with one another throughout the state.
Military kids in Vermont have a unique
family situation, and dealing with deploy-
ments of military parents can cause stress;
OMK strives to increase their support net-
work and help them through trying times.
OMK’s programming varies from science
and technology to outdoor adventures- all
of which have the intention of leaving kids
with new skills and experiences that help
them to flourish in life. Since military kids
can have increased stress with their
parent’s deployments, OMK events are an
opportunity for kids to connect with one
another and be around adults who are sen-
sitive to their home life.
Majoring in environmental studies and
having a minor in community development
showed me the importance in creating and
sustaining places where people feel con-
nected to those they live around and the
physical place that they live in. I was
drawn to Operation: Military Kids because
of the importance put on enhancing chil- Alyson, center, graduated from UVM
this last May.
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 9
different workshops to
also incorporate physical
movement and self-
sufficiency. I hope that
my year of service will be
mutually beneficial and
that as I help these stu-
dents learn and grow,
they will do the same for
me.
For years I planned to be an AmeriCorps
member after college. During my time at
Green Mountain College in Vermont, a
small environmental college with ideals
rooted in experiential and service learn-
ing, I fell in love with Vermont and local
food production. My enthusiasm has
pushed me to seek out Farm-to-School
programming and school gardens.
From that, I found the Maplehill School
and Community Farm- an alternative high
school for students whose needs were not
met by the standard education system.
The Maplehill School uses its garden and
greenhouse for vegetable production,
while also raising livestock for meat and
eggs. Maplehill School uses the garden as
a classroom and provides a large portion
of meat and produce for the lunches that
are provided daily for all students.
Maplehill works to support youth by cre-
ating a safe learning environment for
youth that may not otherwise have re-
ceived that comfort in their previous
school setting or otherwise. We work to
provide them with an education that best
matches their strengths and abilities,
while preparing them for a healthy future.
During my year of service, I intend to
continue the growing enthusiasm for food
production. I want to develop curriculua
that will tie in food production with sci-
ence, social issues, and other relevant ed-
ucation goals. I want to aid the students in
making healthy decisions for life through
Olivia DeJohn
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Maplehill School and Community Farm
Plainfield, Vermont
Olivia (right) and Karen
(left) participate in a role
play activity during their
VYDC Orientation.
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 10
Counseling 101, facilitated by mental
health counselor Nicholas Nicolet,
MA. Members learned how to estab-
lish good boundaries with youth;
practiced counseling techniques.
Positive Youth Development, facili-
tated by Kreig Pinkham, Executive
Director at the Washington County
Youth Service Bureau/Boys and Girls
Club. Members discussed the various
factors that affect adolescent develop-
ment (environmental, social, biologi-
cal). Members learned how to use
positive youth development theory to
improve their interactions with youth
and include youth in planning pro-
grams and services.
Resource Development, facilitated
by Andy Robinson, a fundraising
consultant. Members explored the
basics of successful resource devel-
opment and practiced grant writing
and fundraising skills.
Understanding Poverty, facilitated
by UVM Professor Jennifer Jewsiss.
Members explored the complexities
of poverty and its impact on the com-
munities they serve.
Experiential Learning, facilitated by
author and educator Jenn Stanchfield.
Members learned about experiential
group facilitation techniques that
could be used with youth at their
sites.
Understanding Work-style Prefer-
ences, facilitated by Markey Read, Ca-
reer Networks Consultant. Members
learned about the Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator model, an assessment designed
to measure psychological preferences--
how people perceive the world and make
decisions. Members learned about their
own preferences and gained a better un-
derstanding of how others approach situa-
tions and how to better work with all
types.
Supporting Military Families &
Youth, facilitated by Sarah Kleinman,
University of VT Extension State 4-H
Director. Members learned about UVM
Extension Operation: Military Kids mis-
sion and programming, Vermont’s mili-
tary population, and how best to support
families and youth.
Vermont Youth Development Corps
AmeriCorps State Program
2013—2014 Training Plan
Professional Development:
A significant benefit to serving
in our program is the emphasis
we place on each of our mem-
ber’s professional development
throughout the year.
By providing access to high
quality workshops and train-
ing, we help members gain
professional skills and experi-
ence that will serve them in
seeking meaningful employ-
ment, as well as develop a
commitment to a life of active
civic engagement.
AmeriCorpalooza—During November’s Training VYDC was joined by the Vermont Youth Tomorrow VISTA, SerV-
ermont VISTA, and Vermont Housing Conservation Board AmeriCorps State Programs.
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 11
Upcoming Training Topics:
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Cultural Competency
Networking and Resume Building
Life After AmeriCorps
Monthly Team Meetings:
At each monthly training, members participate
in a Team Meeting, giving members a space to
share accomplishments, challenges and in-
sights, site updates, and upcoming events.
VYDC staff use various activities to facilitate
meetings, allowing members to learn different
techniques through participation. The mem-
bers are fantastic networkers, regularly sharing
ideas and advice, allowing them to constantly
refine and enhance the programs at their ser-
vice sites.
AmeriShare Presentations:
Members are given an opportunity to plan and
lead an AmeriShare during monthly training
sessions. Members gain experience in re-
searching, planning, and facilitating a presen-
tation for the team on a topic of their choice.
Vermont Youth Development Corps
AmeriCorps State Program
2013—2014 Training Plan Continued
VYDC, VYT, and SerVermont members take a group picture after a training on Positive Youth Development.
Karen,
Alexan-
dra, Tony,
and Kyle
work as a
team to
build the
tallest
structure
possible.
Sarah and
Ben, both
serving at
the Winoo-
ski Teen
Center,
joke around
with each
other dur-
ing the
VYDC
Orientation.
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 12
Vermont Youth Development Corps
AmeriCorps State Program
2013—2014 SerVermont Launch
On October 24, 2013 Vermont AmeriCorps celebrated the kickoff of the 2013-14 program year.
The VYDC team joined members from 3 other AmeriCorps State Programs, 2 VISTA Pro-
grams, and 2 National Direct programs at the Statehouse. Members celebrated the beginning of
their service term and the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps by hearing from various speakers,
meeting new members, and taking part in a personality typing activity led by Markey Read.
Members left feeling inspired after hearing kind
words of support from the following:
Governor Peter Shumlin
Joe Bertolino, President of Lyndon State College
Susan B. Elliot, Community Liaison from the
Office of Congressman Peter Welch, spoke on
behalf of the Honorable Peter Welch
Peter Hayward, Chair of SerVermont
Phil Kolling, Executive Director of SerVermont
AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary
“I will get things done for America
to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.”
-- The AmeriCorps Oath
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 13
VYDC 12-13 team poses for one last group photo at their End of Service Event.
Accomplishments by the 2012-2013 VYDC Team
Total Youth Served (unduplicated count) 4,558
Veterans' Family Members Receiving Services (unduplicated count) 211
Military Youth Receiving Services (unduplicated count) 159
Healthy Futures Programs & Activities developed by VYDC members 1,356
School & Workplace Readiness Programs & Activities led by VYDC members 1,263
Civic Engagement Discussions facilitated by VYDC members 590
Community Service & Intergenerational Events planned by VYDC members 54
Publicity Materials Created & Maintained by VYDC members (Flyers, Posters, Websites, Videos, PSAs, social media, blogs, etc.)
143
Operational Systems Developed and Enhanced by VYDC members (Databases, Manuals, Processes, Training Curriculum, etc.)
43
Community Volunteers Recruited & Managed by VYDC members 565
Community Volunteers Hours Generated by Volunteers 3,716
Funds Raised Through Non-Federal Grants, Cash Donations, In-Kind Dona-
tions, and Events by VYDC members
$75,923
Partnerships Developed with Community Stakeholders by VYDC members 165
Programs and Activities Increase in
skills and
knowledge
Positive
Change in
Attitude or
Behavior
Healthy Futures Programs,
Nutrition
95% 93%
Healthy Futures Programs,
Physical Activity
85% 84%
Youth In military families 89% 90%
School and Workplace Readi-
ness Programs (academic
help, job skills, college prepa-
ration, and communication)
86% 92%
Civic Engagement 92% 93%
Service Learning: Community
Service Projects
100% 100%
Vermont Youth Development Corps
AmeriCorps State Program
2012—2013 Accomplishments
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 14
seeing the good. It’s about “what’s
your spark?” and empowerment and
letting the kids lead us in planning and
programming.
It’s not about me. I could tell you a
million things (traveled to x y and z,
majored in this, minored in that,
loathes celery but makes a mean piece
of french toast) but this year of service
is not about me. It's about living be-
yond myself, and being a container for
this work. In my AmeriCorps position
which focuses on youth outreach coor-
dination, I am reaching out to kids in
the community and facilitating com-
munity service opportunities. We’re
developing our civic engagement and
community service programming,
CHIP In! And several days a week,
I’m hanging out in the teen center,
making smoothies and leading trivia;
playing ping-pong and losing every
time. I’m having the time of my life,
and trying to make sure the teens are,
too.
So what’re we doing here at
CHIPS? Oh, not much, just changing
the lives of kids and strengthening our
community. Every day. Stay tuned.
So there I was, knee-deep in jam. Living
unhappily in Southern California. Graduated
from a business course, and ready to change
the world with my precious little preserves
gleaned from local produce, and (oh yeah)
living ever so unhappily in Southern Califor-
nia. Any time I encountered red tape with
my jamming business plan (and there was
lots of red tape), I had the same thought: I’ll
move to Vermont! I bet they’ll let me make
and sell pickles in Vermont! I bet everyone has goats in their backyards in the sub-
urbs. I bet there aren’t any suburbs.
I didn’t move here out of desperation. I was
called here. My feelings about California
were hollow, and something about Vermont
filled me up; resonated, if you will. And then
I found Essex CHIPS (Community Helping
to Inspire People to Succeed), this amazing
non-profit in Essex Junction, Ver-
mont. Youth-adult partnerships, civic en-
gagement, health and wellness initiatives and
a drop-in teen and tween center? Sign me
up! I knew it
was the right po-
sition for me
when we were
laughing about
garbanzo bean
brownies on the
phone inter-
view. I knew it
was perfect be-
cause we use the
same language to
talk about
kids. It’s not
about good kids
and bad kids, it’s
about intrinsic
motivation and
Jessica Jackson
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Essex CHIPS Teen Center
Essex Junction, Vermont
Right: CHIP’s youth
enjoy making turkey
cookies after school!
Below: CHIP In!
photo collage from
our community ser-
vice trip to Williams
Woods in October
with 8th and 9th
graders
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 15
tions as well as general food shopping.
We keep our fridge constantly stocked
with food staples so our teens have
snacks when they need them. I’m also
lucky enough to be able to make fun
snacks like carrot-pumpkin muffins
when we have an excess of fall-
harvested carrots!
I graduated from the University of
Vermont this past spring, so my stud-
ies in food systems including ecologi-
cal agriculture and food justice are still
very much fresh in my head. I hope to
engage the teens at The Hub in garden
activities and create workshops on nu-
trition that the teens themselves are
excited to engage in. And, I’m excited
to link my studies to my service here at
The Hub. I look forward to creating
engaging, hands-on activities in the
garden with the kids, and I hope to do
a lot of cooking with the fruits and
vegetables we harvest.
Hello AmeriCorps Community!
My name is Sam—I’m on the fourth day
of my new position here at The Hub: the
Bristol Teen Center and Skatepark. But-
terflies are still fluttering, but I’m delv-
ing deeper and investing more of myself
into The Hub each day. The Hub is an
eclectic teen center in Bristol, VT with a
massive skatepark right outside our
door. We are here so teens have a fun,
safe, substance-free place to be with
friends. Teens have access to comput-
ers, a ping-pong table, video games,
skateboards, art supplies, musical instru-
ments, and sound equipment here at The
Hub. Our tank of guppies always pro-
vides entertainment for our teens as
well. Besides all of the activities which
teens have access to right at their finger-
tips, we run music, nutrition, and gar-
dening programs as well as sex educa-
tion and workshops on conflict resolu-
tion such as the importance of consent.
My service includes coordinating
nutrition and the community gar-
den. As winter quickly approach-
es, my role as community garden
director comes to fruition mainly
through grant writing and fund
raising for garden resources such
as seeds, plants starts, tools, and
other garden equipment. However,
when the growing season begins to
return, I will manage our commu-
nity garden and work to engage
teens and community members in
helping the garden flourish. Re-
garding nutrition, I coordinate our
food shelf requests, our food dona-
Sam Rothberg
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
The Bristol Hub
Bristol, Vermont
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 16
other Burlington organizations come and
give brief presentations and lead discussions
about what services they have to offer. Spec-
trum also offers counseling and peer men-
tors. Spectrum has three different shelter
spaces where youth who are interested can
apply to live in.
Part of the reason I chose to serve with
AmeriCorps and specifically at Spectrum
Youth & Family Services has to do with the
overwhelming number of youth and families
that are struggling with mental illnesses,
poverty, and substance abuse. The cycle of
poverty is a strong one and being born into a
situation where these issues are present can
be very difficult to break. But even within
the few months that I’ve been serving with
Spectrum, I’ve met quite a few remarkably
resilient and strong young people who have
been dealt a difficult hand, but are attempt-
ing to break that cycle and live a healthy life.
Over the course of the next year I hope to
continue to strengthen relationships with the
youth who use Spectrum’s facilities and
work on being a positive role model for
them. I also hope to better learn how to meet
people where they are at and work to assist
them in what they are specifically looking
for, not what I think is best for them. While
at Spectrum I would like to facilitate a class
for young women to talk and learn about
healthy relationships, and I want continue to
be a part of the wonderful afternoon pro-
gramming that Spectrum has to offer. I look
forward to the rest of my year serving at
Spectrum Youth & Family Services!
My name is Emily Wilson; I am a recent grad-
uate from Earlham College located in Rich-
mond, Indiana where I majored in Environ-
mental Studies, with a focus in social rela-
tions. I am currently serving at Spectrum
Youth & Family Services in Burlington, Ver-
mont as the AmeriCorps Resource Coordina-
tor. Spectrum Youth and Family Services
seeks to empower homeless and at-risk youth
in hopes of fostering sustainable and healthy
lives. Spectrum Youth & Family Services pro-
vides a number of free services to youth such
as warm clothing, blankets, shoes, bus passes,
lunch and dinner, showers, and hygiene prod-
ucts. Spectrum also offers
free afternoon program-
ming and classes. Some
examples of classes we
offer are TAG which is a
class for young men to
talk about what healthy
relationships can look
like. We also offer a class
called Life Skills which
helps youth apply for
jobs, work on resumes,
budget, and apply for oth-
er useful services, such as
food stamps and health
care. Some examples of
afternoon programs for
youth to be involved in
are workout Wednesdays,
a jobs class where we
assist with resumes and
applications, we offer a
free legal advice clinic,
and have had people from
Emily Wilson
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Spectrum Youth and Family Services
Burlington, Vermont
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 17
Sarah Petrokonis
VYDC AmeriCorps State Member
Winooski Teen Center
Winooski, Vermont
As the AmeriCorps member
focusing on special events with
the Winooski Youth Programs,
I am serving at the local teen
center and working with middle
school and high school aged
youth. Winooski is a refugee
resettlement site, and therefore
the majority of students I work
with are New Americans com-
ing primarily from countries in
Africa and South East Asia.
The influx of New American
families to Winooski has creat-
ed a more vibrant and multicul-
tural community—and an excit-
ing new place for me to call
home.
At the Teen Center, we strive to
foster a thriving community by
inspiring youth to make healthy
lifestyle choices and become
leaders. My position’s primary
focus is to develop and expand
the center’s programming for
local youth. In particular, I will
be working to provide free, nu-
tritious meals for children ages
18 and under, and assisting teens in the city’s
Summer Employment Program.
My personal goal is to introduce new and inter-
esting events to the
center that will
reach a wider
range of kids. In
particular, I want
to integrate art and
creative thinking
into our programs.
I also hope to con-
nect youth to local
artists, and organ-
ize a collaborative
project that reflects
upon experiences
of New Americans.
AmeriCorps has truly been a transformative ex-
perience for me. In 2012, I left my home in Lan-
caster County, Pennsylvania to join the VISTA
program. For the first six months of my service,
I served in a small town in rural Alabama as the
Arts Education Coordinator at a local arts organ-
ization. I then transferred to a position in Mont-
gomery, Alabama as a Program Specialist in a
youth development program.
While experiencing the culture and rich history
of the South, I also gained a unique insight into
how art, creative problem solving, and youth de-
velopment can positively impact youth and uplift
the community. I hope that my time in Vermont
serving with the Winooski Programs will be
equally positive, challenging, and inspiring.
Sarah poses with
one of the teens
during drop in
time.
VYDC CHRONICLES WINTER EDITION 2013/2014
PAGE 18
The opinions expressed in the articles in this newsletter belong to the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the site where the AmeriCorps members serve, Vermont Youth Development Corps AmeriCorps State Program, the Washington County Youth Service Bureau/Boys and Girls Club, SerVermont, and CNCS.
VYDC AmeriCorps State Program
P.O. Box 627 / 38 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05601-0627
802.229.9151 ph / 802.229.2508 fax
https://sites.google.com/a/wcysb.org/vydc/
During Orien-tation mem-bers created vision state-ments and
mapped out community resources
available to best support
Vermont youth.
2013-2014 VYDC Members are going to Get Things Done for VT!
Contact our office to request
assistance or an accommodation.