Young Americorps VISTAs are Impressive People

Just over three years ago we launched the Youth Network Initiative to help youth in Northern Nevada who are experiencing homelessness.  A community-wide initiative was a significant undertaking for the Community  Foundation.  Although we had been leading many community leadership efforts and activities, this was our first large-scale convening process engaging the public.  It was a lot of work, for a GREAT cause.  We made progress, but it wasn’t until our first VISTA volunteer, a young man named Nick Tscheekar joined the Community Foundation effort, that we were able to make significant strides. Nick was the first of three young people, all recent college graduates, who devoted a year of service through the Americorps VISTA program. You and I are the beneficiaries of their awe inspiring generosity. The Caregiver Support Initiative actions steps resulting from the public convening process are in the works. By supporting the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, through your generous gifts, we were able to hire Nick full-time following his year of service as our Director of Community Leadership. Camille Glanzmann then served for a year and is now in the MSW graduate program at UNR.  Currently, Sarah Jahr is midway through her year and is doing an outstanding job developing the Washoe Caregiver Guidebook.  I am grateful all three of these young people chose the Community Foundation for their service. They have made an indelible mark on our community, on our Board and staff, and on me. We hope to continue our relationship with Americorps VISTA. We plan to continue community engagement work, principally helping the region's most needy populations, through the support of the outstanding volunteers in this program.  You will find Americorps volunteers throughout our community, at nonprofit organizations accomplishing critical work.  If you would like to learn more about this great the Americorps VISTA program, or if you’d like to support the program and/or young people involved in some way, please give me a call. Thank you, Nick, and Camille, and Sarah! Connecting people, like you, who care, with causes that matter. Chris Askin, President, and CEO.  775-762-1932