Rita Hockemeyer- A Piece of the Bigger Puzzle

Hi all, my name is Rita Hockemeyer. I am a second-year VISTA serving with Carson City-Crystal Area Schools in the Pathways to Employment Program. I have to say that starting the second year is much less stressful than the first. All those emails and all those new acronyms are now part of my lingo. Understanding how VISTA fits into MNA and where our paychecks come from helps too. But as we progress into the year I am realizing that there is so much to do and I am only a small piece of the bigger puzzle. Focusing on who we are serving seems to help me stay the course. 
 
For those who don’t know me, I am a retired special ed teacher, former owner of an Adult Foster Care home, owner of a 40-acre farm, part-owner of Pro Foam INC, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and the mother of 6 children. Five years ago I took on the responsibility of raising 2 step-grandchildren and now know what it feels like to be a single parent with a full-time job. Whew! There are many days I wonder if I will make it through but I have a huge support system, an awesome family, and a great church behind me. Being an AmeriCorps VISTA member keeps me positive and helps me to stay up with what is happening in the schools and community activities. Giving me a purpose outside of the home encourages me to do what I can to make our community better and not just get caught up on family matters. 
 
So let me tell you a little about the Carson City-Crystal area. It is located in Montcalm County, mostly rural and very poor. Many of our student’s families are on assistance through the state. All students in the school receive free breakfast and lunch. Agriculture is one of the primary occupations. Many people with higher paying employment have to travel 30-60 minutes to work. In the 20 years that I have lived in this area, I have found it to be full of caring people, helping each other to survive. There is always a need for a new program that teaches skills in vocational areas and money management. There is always a need for someone to help with those programs. I suppose that is why this VISTA job is so important- there are so many needs and so few that can fulfill those needs. 
 
Some of the projects that we have established through this program include a recycling program, a care closet, a partnership with the local teen center, support of the True Success PBIS program, active involvement in the local 4-H program, and leadership training for students at the middle school and high school level. 
 
A Partnership with CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) and Montcalm County 4-H has offered High School students training in leadership and encourages students to have a Youth Voice in the community. This initiative has offered several students opportunities to travel to Washington DC and Dallas, TX for National Youth Leadership Conventions. Students involved in this program have taken an interest in what is happening here at the school with goals being established for change. 
 
Our Care Closet offers our students a safe place to come and get items they might not be able to afford otherwise. School Supplies, grooming articles, personal care products for the young women, clothes, shoes, boots, and coats are items that have been either donated or purchased with funds donated through grants, community, and the student body. The Care Closet even has a number of dresses for prom or homecoming. Men’s dress clothes for interviews or prom are also available. Kids who are shy about coming in can email us for help. The Care Closet has made gift bags for foster kids and helped to sponsor families in need. The Care Closet was so overloaded with donations last spring, that they were able to have a free give away this fall for people in the community. 
 
Recycling has been an ongoing project here at Carson City Schools. Established about 8 years ago by a past VISTA, the program collects and sorts recycling on a weekly basis. Students in the Middle School Leadership classes and the High School Leadership team have taken the responsibility to keep this program moving forward. Plans are being made to create some products out of recycled bottles and paper. The sale of these items can support other community efforts. 
 
The Montcalm Area Teen Center serves about 40-60 students weekly depending on the time of year and their sports involvement. Students meet to discuss personal issues and other needs. This fall the VISTA program will be offering guidance in the way of activities that teach employment and leadership skills. Students have had opportunities to attend summer camp trips, winter retreats, community service projects and weekly support from staff. The CCC School Leadership members have used recycled paper, TP rolls, and candles to create fire starters to sell. The money will go towards activities and supplies needed for the programs at the Teen Center throughout the year. 
 
The encouragement of building character and soft employment skills has been tackled through a school-wide initiative called true success. The program is taught during a short class period at the end of the day. Students are recognized for showing these traits throughout the school year. The VISTA program has supported this program by organizing and executing monthly recognition assemblies. Pictures of students being recognized are posted in local newspapers and around the schools. 
 
A partnership with our local 4-H program has offered students an opportunity to complete projects in many areas of life. Sales of the projects are held at the County Fair, giving kids a chance to start saving for college and other post-secondary options while they are learning new skills. As a VISTA member, I have been involved in the local 4-H club consisting of about 30 members from our school district. I have also sat on the County 4-H Council that is responsible for organizing fundraisers, offering scholarships, organizing trainings and managing the annual 4-H Montcalm County Fair. As a result of this program, almost 500 students have had the opportunity to participate in building their leadership skills, employment skills, and learn about many project areas that could lead to their own career in the future. 
 
These programs are vital to helping our young people here in Carson City have a much better life. Opportunities to become the future leaders of our community are a huge part of what CCC Schools has to offer. It is a privilege to be part of that!!
 
AmeriCorps VISTA members are definitely unique. They have figured out that it is not about the money but about the service. They have learned that serving others can be a way of encouragement to our society. They have discovered that if everyone does a little, something big happens. I can say becoming a VISTA member was one of the better choices of my life.