Mitchell Emery - Seeing the Big Picture

Hello everyone, this is Mitchell Emery, serving at the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network in downtown Flint. Whenever anyone hears the word Flint, the first thing they always think of is the Water Crisis. It’s true, the situation was horrible and the fallout continues to leave a profound impact on the community. However, Flint’s challenges run much deeper than just the water, particularly with regard to literacy.  In 2019, only 18% of students in Flint were considered to be proficient in English Language Arts and this problem continues well into adulthood. It stifles any upward mobility and perpetuates poverty. This is why my host site, the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network was founded in 2014.
               
The network serves as the backbone to a community-wide collective impact literacy campaign. My host site does not provide direct programming, but rather builds capacity in partners who improve the lives of individuals, children, and families of Flint. To do this, we facilitate professional learning communities where partners have the opportunity to learn from one another and create shared goals, strategies and common measures in order to make a real impact in the community. We also administer large convenings of education providers in Flint, to foster collaboration and provide training. Finally, we engage in individual technical assistance by helping partnering organizations build strategic plans and execute them. For instance, we are working with the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, which is relocating residents from a poor housing project to a mixed-income community and connecting them to education and workforce opportunities. We have formed advisory groups, tracked data, and are now working to carry out a plan that could move hundreds out of poverty.
 
The actual work I do at the Literacy Network can vary greatly, but to one degree or another, I support all of our activities.  Specifically, I have several areas that I regularly focus on. One is to monitor the Network’s performance accountability by tracking data, following the progress of our work plan, and receiving constant feedback and evaluations from partners. I gather information to see what the impact of our efforts is on the community so that utilizing results-based accountability we can reevaluate and improve our strategies. I also provide direct support to our partners, such as the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, by tracking the information of their target residents, which ensures that their needs can be fully met. I regularly participate in partner meetings, helping with whatever needs to be done.  Additionally, I have worked to build out our communication systems by creating ways for our partners to share success stories, administering the Network’s website and improving our online presence.
 
I grew up in the area right outside of Flint and following my graduation from college, I knew I wanted to serve in the city. What I didn’t expect is where my service would take me. My service at the Network is a unique opportunity to build capacity in an organization dedicated to capacity building. On the one hand, there is less contact with the service population than most VISTAs have, but at the same time, it gives me a community-wide picture of what is really going on in Flint. I know what organizations are doing and am witnessing the gradual progress that the city is making. It allows me to see that I am not just one VISTA serving on a project that will help some people in need, but rather that I am a broader movement that is working to eliminate poverty.
 
My work can be a scattered process, but I have learned a lot. I have seen the impact our efforts have had on the community and how people’s lives are improving. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and I am excited to see what the future holds.

In this Photo: Flint and Genesee Literacy Network staff.