My Year, My Words….

North Carolina Campus Compact• North Carolina Campus Compact, launched in 2002,

builds the capacity of colleges and universities to produce civically-engaged graduates and to strengthen communities.

• National Campus Compact is a coalition of nearly 1,200 college and university presidents — representing some 6 million students — who are committed to fulfilling the public purposes of higher education. As the only national association dedicated to this mission, Campus Compact is a leader in building civic engagement into campus and academic life

AmeriCorps-VISTA

• AmeriCorps-VISTA(Volunteers In Service To America)

AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time members to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty and feeding the hungry.

What do VISTAs do?

• VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Service-learning in New Orleans(secured donations for fundraisers)

• Working with L.E.A.D.• Developed a partnership with G.O.T.R.• Recruited volunteers to work with 2nd Harvest

Food Bank• Extended invitation that was accepted by

Congressman Mel Watt for MLK day.

Service-learning in New Orleans

Volunteering with 2nd Harvest Food Bank

Political Figures visit MLK

Senator Kay Hagan Congressman Mel Watt

A few numbers!

• Recruited 40 volunteers for service learning• Nearly $7000 of in-kind donations for service

learning• Bojangles donated breakfast items for MLK, Jr.

Fun Day• Developed a partnership with Girl On the Run

and recruited 4 student volunteers.

Professional Development• Attended the National Conference on Citizenship,

Washington, DC - Exploration on how civic innovators are guiding societies that are informed, engaged, giving and trusting)

• Attended the“Making a Difference: Policies, Practices & Partnerships” conference in Greensboro, NC – Discussion on eating smart and moving more as well as building strategic partnerships and how to lead community change.

A look into the future…..

• Developing more partnerships with literacy programs

• Community garden for local food banks• Developing a partnership with Charlotte

Mecklenburg Public Health Department

My next steps….

• To secure more permanent employment with non-profit in health awareness and promotion

• Currently in contact with members of the Food Policy Council and Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Health Department

• Working with the Public Health Department has given me insight on numerous ‘food deserts’ and how poverty contributes to obesity.

Thanks Yous!

• Benardo Dargan – for his leadership and perspective, and guidance

• Pat Taft – for civic engagement• Leigh Davis – for being a part of SCC• Dr. Downey – for his support and guidance