Marisa Tear - Building Partnerships in My Community

Happy New Year Fellow VISTAS! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season.

My name is Marisa Tear, and I’m a first- year AmeriCorps VISTA serving at Alcona Community Schools in Lincoln, MI.   I love giving to the community through my service in Alcona County. It has been very busy at my site the past few months.  I am hoping that I will make an impact on the community and also in Alcona Community Schools. I have never held a position like this one before, so the adjustment has been a struggle at times. But, with the help of my supervisor Anissa Emery and VISTA Meridith Murley I have really settled into a rhythm recently.

This VISTA year has challenged me to face my fears and push through my self doubt while remaining professional and keeping my VISTA Assignment Description in mind to help enlighten the community. Through this opportunity, I was able to connect with students, and I was excited to help students connect to different career opportunities and life decisions.

I am continuing to serve with Alpena Community College (TRIO), in a partnership with Alcona Community Schools, to provide affordable post-secondary education options to the students.  With Alcona High School, I am maintaining relationships with the local scholarship donors to award scholarships to seniors to help with their college expenses.

Alcona Community Schools has a partnership with Farm to Fork, a non-profit organization under the umbrella of Inspiration Alcona. Farm to Fork Alcona plans to establish Alcona County as a home to the Farm to Fork movement. They want to showcase farmlands, pure waters, plentiful fish, wild game, and clean air. Farm to Fork is trying to provide workshops, dinners, and small farm conferences in order to build and sustain the economy and improve health in the community. Farm to Fork wants to create a dream for Alcona County that will help local entrepreneurs get started. VISTA Murley and Farm to Fork's board and I am enjoying giving back to the community. We attended the Small Farm Conference that was held on Jauary 18th and 19th for the Northeast Region sponsored by Farm to Fork's steering committee.

I also formed a partnership with Regional Prosperity Initiative and I am attending monthly meetings.  RPI is a private and non-profit partnership formed to develop and promote a vision for economic growth in the area. RPI is addressing  talent shortages and job markets in the region as well as the need to further develop and promote entrepreneurial culture in the region. They want to to begin working with youth and provide funding for a school-based youth entrepreneurship effort. 
  
I also have a relationship with Michigan Career Quest Northeast (through Michigan WORKS!). They engage students through one-on-one conversations with professionals and hands-on activities that allow students to experience and spark an interest in various careers.  Michigan WORKS!, along with employers, need future talent in construction, healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.

Overall my VISTA experience has been tremendous. I have learned and grown a lot in these past months, personally and professionally. This is what makes the VISTA experience worthwhile!