Trish Sanders - The Journey and Passion of an AmeriCorps VISTA

​In a blink of an eye things change; your path in life changes and possibilities become abundant. My AmeriCorps VISTA experience began with the vice president of my community college telling me she wanted me to be their VISTA, and that I needed to go and apply. I asked her “what the heck is a VISTA?” and she said “never mind that, we will learn together.” I applied and went to my orientation in Chicago and I felt like I was in over my head, everyone in my cohort had their bachelor’s degrees and most working towards their masters. I was just getting back in school after thirty years as a chef because an illness had made me change my career path. 

In five years, I feel that I have had many success stories, but one that stands out to me was in my first year. This story begins with an employability workshop at Kirtland's Center for Performing Arts and live broadcasted to the satellite campuses. The event itself was good, and there was a kid that was sent to Kirtland from Detroit, because his mom didn't want him to get into the same kind of troubles that his friends did, so she sent him packing north. We were giving away random gas cards from names of participants, and his name was drawn. This young person had already graduated and moved back home to Detroit to find work. I called him up and told him who I was and that he had won a gas card, and I needed his address to mail it to him. We got to talking and he told me thank you so much for putting that training together because he went home and used the information to secure a good paying job as a mechanic near his home. His mom was in the background and had asked who was on the phone and he told her, she said to tell me thank you for helping her son to understand how to get and keep a job. It made my heart smile that I could be a part of helping someone get his dream job.

I have met some truly amazing people on my AmeriCorps VISTA journey, and I am truly grateful to have made life-long friends. Giving back is very important to me. To uplift others, helping them to understand their worth, is an amazing thing that grows beyond first-hand contact with a single person. Lightning that sparks can ignite a burning passion so bright that people will understand that they can do anything. I wish that there were no limit on VISTA service years, I would do another five, and more, if it were an option. 

Every little thing you do and the smallest project that you think goes unnoticed impacts peoples’ lives. You might not see the big picture, but continue to plant those seeds because they will grow to a great size and help fulfill our mission, eradicating poverty!  
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I hope that I have made as big an impact on the communities that I have served in as they have made on me. Much love to my MNA cohort, my Leaders and the MNA staff, Maggie Harris, Sarah Pinder, and Donna Murray-Brown. What an amazing support system they are, I would stay with them for many more years if I was able too. 
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Continue the fight and always know you can do anything, just jump!