For the past four years, NHS’ work has greatly benefited from an extraordinary partnership with the national service program AmeriCorps/VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), dedicated to fighting poverty in the United States. The VISTA members and associates who have served with NHS of New Haven have proven themselves to be an invaluable asset to the organization. AmeriCorps VISTA members provide direct organizational impact while spearheading community outreach campaigns, assisting in planning our affordable housing projects, developing curriculum, conducting research on properties for inclusion in a historic district, and even helping to enhance the design of NHS’ website.
As NHS’ Executive Director, Jim Paley has long viewed the VISTAs who volunteer their service as indispensable members of his team. VISTA members and associates are fully integrated into the staff, expanding the capacity of NHS to develop and implement new programs and services. Jim’s team approach allows the VISTAs to develop hands-on skills while they absorb as much knowledge and experience as they desire within the department to which they are assigned. Jim values the personal growth of the VISTAs as much as he appreciates the expansion of NHS’ organizational capacity that the VISTAs have helped the organization to achieve.
As part of a coterie of VISTAs-turned-full-time-staffers, I can attest to the wonderful service experience provided to me by NHS. Never once did I feel like a mere intern; I was a welcome presence whose work held value for both the organization and the community.
Congrats, Jim! You deserve it.
-Colleen Trompeter, Public Relations Coordinator, née VISTA
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