Photos from Car Show & State Fair

Listening

Listening

I was able to attend the Listening Forum hosted by the Vermont Commission on Women (VWC) this week. It was moving to hear the perspectives and concerns of young women and girls in Bennington County. The aim of the listening forum was for agencies and community leaders to learn how they can strengthen their work to better serve these women. 

Young women and girls from area high schools and middle schools presented their stories that ranged from success stories to victim stories. Some identified as teens overcoming the stigma of teen pregnancy, some identified as teens that were once shy and detached, and now are involved and connected to others.  

The participants were asked to come up with ideas about what young women need to thrive in this community. Their contributions included: support, respect, privacy, trust in relationships, positivity, goals, positive connections to the community, ownership in decision-making, and faith in one’s self and others. Other more tangible ideas were: a confidant, access to mental health, insurance, afterschool activities, transportation to afterschool activities, and information about accessing community resources.

It was an uplifting experience to hear directly from the teens and girls who use community resources or extracurricular activities to build a network of trusted individuals who care. I heard inspirational stories of empathetic teachers at the local high school giving students a voice through the performing arts or leadership development, and alternative school programs building teens up through leadership roles.

  

After leaving the forum with a great sense of hope, I am more confident in the tenacity of youth in this community. Keeping the stories and ideas these remarkable young women shared close to my heart, I’ll draw on them while designing workshops, community service projects, and communication to youth for this year. All the while, I hope to further the notion that there are many stories of youth in the Bennington area if we choose to listen.

For more information on the Vermont Commission on Women:
http://women.vermont.gov/

For more information about the SerVermont:

http://vtcncs.vermont.gov/

For more information about Southwestern Vermont Medical Center:

http://svhealthcare.org/

For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA:

http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp 

Stories

Stories

Reflecting on our VISTA training that was held last week for our SerVermont requirement, I’d like to highlight our viewing of “The danger of a single story,” a TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie, an accomplished novelist. This talk emphasizes the complexity of stories that are woven into our lives, and the threat that lies in adopting only a single story of a person or place – lack of cultural competency and acceptance.

According to Adichie, having just a single story can lead to one being sorry for someone before one gets to know them, what she calls a ‘well-meaning pity’ which creates serious barriers. “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story,” states Adichie.

In reflection, we are all perpetrators when it comes to promoting single stories of “the poor, the less fortunate, the victims of the welfare system.” We can recognize that. Yet, where these single stories have come from, whether they’re from the media, family, experiences or exposure is not easy to discern. Does it matter? Or does it only matter that these single stories exist?

Adichie stresses that it is important to put single stories aside and open our eyes to new perspectives; being aware of my acceptance of a single story of those living in poverty was my first step. Segmenting it and using firsthand experience and my work to create a multitude of stories was second. Third, I am now actively encouraging people in my life, family, friends, and other loved ones to revise their single story of those living in poverty.

I had watched “The danger of a single story” previously in a public health class at Penn State and used a global lens. Watching it a second time, I used a local lens to draw parallels to the single story of Vermonters living in poverty. I was impelled to think about how VISTAs throughout the state are working to change this single story by building capacities in these communities to lift those struggling out of their current conditions. Throughout my year of service, I know that there will be single stories that I will encounter everywhere.

In the month I have been in my community, I have recognized a single story of youth, namely high-school students, college students, and “twenty-somethings.” I have heard, in a few experiences with community members that young people do not care about their community. I’ve heard excuses such as “it’s just that age.” I’ve heard a single story about all-around negativity and apathy: the youth are either disengaged, abusing substances, or they are pregnant or already parents.

I am confident that we can change this single story by getting youth engaged in the community through service projects, afterschool activities, and by advocating for health issues that affect them directly. Investing in the youth will provide an environment where their stories are celebrated.

I aim to be a part of the change by coordinating the Youth Ambassador Program and the Photovoice project with my colleague Nicole Rau. The Youth Ambassador Program will further the notion of the existence of many stories by empowering local high school students to become peer leaders and advocates for health issues teens are facing. We are accepting applications for Ambassadors now and it will certainly be an amazing journey! The Photovoice project will showcase the perspectives of three groups of young people. Participants will capture their community and the assets and needs that are preeminent through digital media and photography, and their stories will be on display.

I recently learned firsthand from some amazing teens on Wednesday that there are many stories of youth that yearn to be highlighted. These stories need a chance, they need the spotlight. See my next post for details! J

For the TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie: 

http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

For more information about the SerVermont:

http://vtcncs.vermont.gov/

For more information about Southwestern Vermont Medical Center:

http://svhealthcare.org/

For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA:

http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp 

Culture

Culture

I’m learning that culture plays the most significant role in transitions. Yes, you will miss your hometown and college town and all of the persons you shared those years with in the process of joining the post-undergraduate world. Yet, it is important to remember to be grateful for what you’re experiencing in this moment and every moment forward. I’ve found that one way to be grateful is to learn about the new culture, reach out with an open heart, and explore.

Adjusting to the new organizational culture was a lesser part of the process for me, whereas adapting to the culture of my new state has been a grand adventure! This past weekend my colleague Nicole took me to the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, VT where I encountered a charming family atmosphere. We were accompanied by her friend Sarah, a Vermonter (and former Maple Queen!) who taught me about sugaring - the process of gathering sap and making maple syrup – and kindly explained the nature of maple sweets.

While we waited out a huge storm that rolled in, I tried a ‘maple creamie’ which is maple syrup mixed into soft serve ice cream, and maple candy. Delicious! I’ll never use maple-flavored corn syrup on pancakes again!

Walking around the fair in the rain, I saw lots of John Deere tractors (John Deere is from the Rutland area just like Nicole!), dairy cows being milked, a collection of chickens, sheep and goats, carnival games, and rides. I also saw the line of folks waiting to see American Idol Scotty McCreery, gigantic vegetables, guns, impressive art exhibits, and smelled some great fair food. I was also able to pet a dairy cow which was so exciting!  

I started my transition by being wowed by the Green Mountain views, and I certainly grow fonder of Vermont’s culture and sense of community each day.

For more information about Southwestern Vermont Medical Center:

http://svhealthcare.org/

For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA:

http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp

For more information about the Vermont State Fair:

http://www.vermontstatefair.net/

It’s the end of week 3 already?

 As I'm nearing the end of the third week of my VISTA experience on this gorgeous morning in Bennington, it amazes me how quickly time has passed. Recalling all of the adventures I've had in Vermont so far is almost a challenge! The small ones like finding the sheriff's department, trying real Vermont Grade A maple syrup for the first time, and navigating my street that has literally been under construction since day one (new sidewalks! Yay!) have been pretty entertaining! Greater adventures like going to scenic Poultney, VT for a VISTA picnic, traveling up the Bennington Battle Monument, and attending a Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Bennington Museum have been a lot of fun as well! Next week, my colleague Nicole Rau and I have a VISTA training in the capital city, Montpelier, which will be a new adventure!

Creating Relationships

This week, I have been reflecting on the relationships that I have had the opportunity to create. I am excited to build upon these relationships throughout my year of service and collaborate with enthusiastic partners to create lasting change. It has been a challenge to identify how to design projects to be effective and engaging. I have found some answers and creative ideas by spending time with incredibly dedicated community members every day.

Whether they are health care professionals committed to population health and spreading awareness of poverty-related health issues, educators at district schools focused on fortifying a partnership between schools and local employers, artists invigorating the creative economy by producing unique goods, art, or music, or local business owners coming together to breathe new life into the Bennington economy, they are passionate about making the community a better place. Everyone has a vision of what they think the Bennington area should look like, feel like, and provide in order to be a healthier place to live in, grow up in, and retire in. Capturing that is part of my assignment.

A little more about what I am doing this year...

I am working to strengthen the bridge between the health system and the community. Within Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), I work in the Community Health Improvement department. I directly support the initiatives of the Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT), a community coalition.

The primary projects I am working on now are centered on youth empowerment and the concept of healthy community design. Healthy community design looks to examine the environment: the availability of healthy foods, sidewalks, recreational facilities, and how the condition of the environment affects community members’ health. One project uses digital media to amplify the youth voice regarding the state of the community, whereas the other is a teen leadership group focused on promoting healthy behavior. More details to follow!

The Spirit of Vermont

I am also reflecting on the spirit of Vermont today. I am encouraged by the sense of state pride that Vermont exhibits, and this week really drove that home for me. Tuesday, August 28th marked one year since a large portion of the state was ravaged by Tropical Storm Irene. Vermonters came together after the storm to rebuild bridges, roads, homes, and businesses. The state has made tremendous strides, yet there is still a lot of damage that remains. While I am from out-of-state, I appreciate Vermonters’ stories of overcoming the destruction, and the commendable progress that has been made one year since disaster struck. “I am Vermont Strong” emblazons t-shirts and license plates to support recovery efforts that are still going strong. The sense of community implied by this statement is truly alive here, and its strength is remarkable.

For more information on Tropical Storm Irene Recovery in Vermont:

http://www.vtstrong.vermont.gov/

For more information about Southwestern Vermont Medical Center:

 http://svhealthcare.org/

For more information about Americorps VISTA:

http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp

LoVermont

A little about me... 

My name is Veronica Ariel and I'm originally from a tiny town called Millville, Massachusetts in Worcester County. So tiny that there is only one stop light and one small general store... We do have a gas station and a half pizza place half bar though! Pretty exciting!

When I was getting ready to graduate in May from The Pennsylvania State University, I was looking for a job where I could put my baccalaureate skills into practice, and combine my passions for health care and community service. I also knew that I wanted to be a part of the health care reform that is sweeping the nation. 

I was directed to Americorps VISTA by several Student Affairs staff members and was delighted to find that I could make a difference within a non-profit in health care...and ...I applied to a bunch of programs! My top choice was an Americorps VISTA position at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center with a focus in Community Health Improvement. In the middle of May, I was notified that I'd been selected!   

Fast forward through summer...I moved to Bennington, Vermont at the beginning of August and I'm now getting adjusted to all of the Vermonty things in my new life here, such as: REAL maple syrup, Cabot cheese, the saying 'Jeezum Crow,' Ben n Jerry's, the gorgeous Green Mountains, painted moose, being outdoorsy, and John Deere. I've learned that syrup is pronounced sur-up, and that country music is played everywhere! I've also learned what a catamount is, to avoid pronouncing my "t"s, and that learning to fly fish may be a great idea! Needless to say, I love calling Vermont my new home! 

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind! I've met some amazing community members, and I am impressed by the initiatives that address poverty-related issues already in place here. My colleague and I received a warm welcome by the health system employees, and have had the opportunity to begin working on several fantastic projects! 

The Green Mountain vista that is now everywhere I look reminds me how lucky I am to be in this new exciting chapter of my life! More updates to come! 

For more information on VISTA:
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp

For more information on Southwestern Vermont Healthcare: 
http://svhealthcare.org/