Pathways to Employment AmeriCorps VISTA Program
  • About
    • AmeriCorps VISTA
    • Contact
    • FAQs
  • Blogs
    • Blogs
    • Blog Schedule
  • VISTA Resources
    • Program Calendar
    • Important Documents
    • VISTA Toolkits
    • Program Webinars
  • Supervisor Resources
    • 2018 Supervisors' Orientation
    • 2018 Recruitment Webinar
    • 2019 Supervisors' Orientation
    • 2020 Supervisor Orientation
  • Photo Gallery
  • Human-Centered Design

Stephanie awalt - "having the most impact"

10/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am Stephanie, and am currently serving at Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA). We are located in the heart of Detroit, across from Grand Circus Park. We’re right behind Comerica Park, and, at times, I have thought about catching a ball (or two)…should it make it to our fire escape.

 I am engaged in several programs centering on workforce development, reducing unemployment, and taking assessment of the workforce sector. The project began by creating an asset map of all workforce development organizations and support services in Detroit. After that, we began conducting needs assessments to find where we could best help build capacity within those organizations – with the ultimate goal of getting more Detroiters employed!

 In the actual moment, we are working on strategic planning - how best to support the current goals of those working on the unemployment rate in Detroit, and via direct service, fill any gaps that may be needed. Along with this, I have been focused on unemployment and poverty rates of special populations – veterans and people recently released from the criminal justice system.

The ultimate end sight goal, is to impact poverty through unemployment levels. The more Detroiters who are at work and have a stable income, the more impact there is on poverty in Detroit.

To meet our team’s goals, and in order to best serve as a VISTA, I have been seeking out chances for growth. I was able to complete the VISTA Blend Course on Grant Writing and Fundraising, which gave insight into the grant process, and gave me skills on how to write and research grants in an effective manner.

Our VISTA team has partnered with the Detroit Jobs Alliance (DJA) in parts of their operating groups (OGs). Recently, one of our OGs held an event for small business owners, community based organizations, and workforce organizations to strategize on how to best help small business owners and job seekers in Detroit. It was a wonderful event, and I was happy to be part of planning and executing the event.

 
Through my service and engagement in projects, I have helped connect organizations to each other, and understand that poverty and unemployment is not a one cause issue. There are multiple layers and barriers for each individual. Part of addressing this is learning what barriers need to be overcome, what resources are available, what perpetuates poverty and unemployment in the region, and what can be done to move more people towards economic stability.

The city of Detroit is going through a rebirth. I am happy to be part of a project that sets a foundation and has the potential to help so many, at a time when the city is making great strides. When I look back now at what has been accomplished thus far through my VISTA service, I am amazed over what has been accomplished and what is still yet to come! I am looking forward to the last final months of my service and having the most impact I can.




0 Comments

    Blog ​Archives

    January 2020 
    December 2019 
    November 2019 
    October 2019 
    September 2019 
    August 2019 
    July 2019 
    June 2019 
    May 2019 
    April 2019 
    March 2019 
    February 2019 
    January 2019 
    December 2018 
    November 2018 
    October 2018 
    September 2018 
    July 2018 
    June 2018 
    May 2018 
    April 2018 
    March 2018 
    February 2018 
    January 2018 
    December 2017 
    November 2017 
    October 2017 
    September 2017 
    July 2017 
    June 2017 
    May 2017 
    April 2017 
    March 2017 
    February 2017 
    January 2017 
    December 2016 
    November 2016 
    October 2016 
    September 2016 
    August 2016 
    July 2016 
    June 2016 
    May 2016 
    April 2016 
    March 2016 
    February 2016 
    January 2016 
    December 2015 
    November 2015 
    October 2015 
    September 2015 
    August 2015 
    July 2015 
    June 2015 
    May 2015 
    April 2015 
    March 2015 
    February 2015 
    January 2015 
    December 2014 
    November 2014 
    October 2014 
    September 2014 
    June 2014 ​
    Each blog post was written by one of our VISTAs!

    Blog ​​​Authors

    All
    Abby Isacson
    Abby Samotis
    Adam Freed
    Adam Stock
    Alejandra Gomez
    Alexa Girouard
    Alexis Farrell
    Allyson Hubbell
    Alyson Ramirez
    Amtheyst Floyd
    Amy Fox
    Andrew Green
    Andy Straub
    Anita Moore
    Ann Roboski
    Ashley McCloud
    Ashley Seals
    Ashlyn Dotson
    Asmara Wheeler
    Assiatou Jallow
    Bashar Dimitry
    Becca Marcott
    Ben Erickson
    Ben Martinson
    Ben Poirier
    Betsie Schoedel
    Bianca Butler
    Billie Patterson
    Branden Dyer
    Brian Church
    Brianna Beaulieu
    Brianna Wilkins
    Britney Underwood
    Brooklyn Granowicz
    Caitlin Fey
    Carisma Ayala
    Carla Valpeoz
    Chelsea Clark
    Chelsea Hart
    Christopher Castle
    Cyerra Haywood
    Damona Platt
    Danielle Congleton
    Danielle Duffie
    David Christensen
    Delesiya Davis
    DeVante McCullom
    Diane Jarvi
    Dimitar Jakimovski
    Dylan Davids
    Ebone' Worthey
    Elizabeth Flanagan
    Emily Swearinger
    Emma Gregory
    Erik Krieger
    Ethan Daley
    Ethan Duffield
    Gabriela Sullen
    Hakeem Weatherspoon
    Hope Dokho
    Jackie Hubbard
    Jack Wong
    Jacob Pollock
    Jake Jermac
    Jarrell Brackett
    Javier Jimenez
    Jaylen Harris
    Jeanette Devito
    Jennifer Burger
    Jennifer Musser
    Jernard Collins
    Jessica Ayoub
    Jessica Foster
    Jim Southard
    Jordan Crandell
    Jordan Meeth
    Jordyn Appel
    June LaVernway
    June Urdy
    Junia Scartezini
    Kaitlyn-dougherty
    Karly-koggenhop
    Kat DeRemer
    Katelyn Kovalik
    Kay Davis
    Kelly Williams
    Kevin Cunningham
    Kim Ellerthorpe
    Kurtis Edwards
    Kye Bright
    Kyra Smith
    La'Shawnda Mansfield
    LaToya Dirrell
    Lauren Raycraft
    Lauren Zlotecki
    Lee Xiong
    Leslie Warren
    Lindsay Regalado
    Loreal Burnett
    Maddie Poindexter
    Madeline Kahl
    Makayla Whitney
    Malina Clements
    Mara Hazen
    Marcella Fox
    Marc Tyler
    Marisa Tear
    Marissa Relitz
    Marlee Schilbe
    Mary Bryson
    Mary Rose
    Matt Sehrsweeney
    Maya Faison
    Megan Lendman
    Megan Rochlitz
    Meghan Thorndike
    Meg McElhone
    Melissa Gonzalez
    Meridith Murley
    Mia Mahanery
    Mia Mahaney
    Missy Wright
    Mitchell Emery
    Mitch Port
    Molly Swisher
    Morgan Benham
    Naomi Coleman
    Natalie Boag
    Neil Anderson
    Nicole Justian
    Pam Ill
    Pat Brewer
    Phaedra Wainaina
    Rachel Blomer
    Rachel D'Alio
    Rachelle Rice
    Rachel Miller
    Rick Gould
    Rini Parekh
    Rita Hockemeyer
    Robbie Metcalf
    Ryan Thomas
    Sabrina Gambill
    Salancia Crowley-Picard
    Samantha Rudelich
    Samuel Howard
    Sandra Anderson
    Sarah Pilson
    Schwartzen Jarmond
    Sean Mattice
    Shakita Billy
    Shalyn Stack
    Sheena Threatt
    Shelby Smith
    Sheryl Zukowski
    Spenser Warren
    Stacey Johnson
    Stephanie Awalt
    Stephanie Muringer
    Suzanne Melin
    Tessa Wiles
    Treandra Thomas
    Treya Swords
    Trish Sanders
    Tyler Augst
    Walker Kelly
    Zekiye Salman

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About
    • AmeriCorps VISTA
    • Contact
    • FAQs
  • Blogs
    • Blogs
    • Blog Schedule
  • VISTA Resources
    • Program Calendar
    • Important Documents
    • VISTA Toolkits
    • Program Webinars
  • Supervisor Resources
    • 2018 Supervisors' Orientation
    • 2018 Recruitment Webinar
    • 2019 Supervisors' Orientation
    • 2020 Supervisor Orientation
  • Photo Gallery
  • Human-Centered Design