THE VISTA VERSE Volume 2 Issue 5

The Vista

Verse

MAY 2012 IN THIS ISSUE

In my first month as VISTA Leader at United Way of Weld County, over 20 VISTA events took place. I have to admit, combining these nights and weekends with a move to Greeley, meeting all new people and familiarizing myself with the nonprofit community in Weld County, was a little overwhelming.

However, my fears were soon dispelled as I got to know the VISTA members on our project. Their passion and energy was contagious, and they included me as if they had known me forever. In the midst of all the events and projects at their VISTA sites, the members volunteered at each other’s events, welcomed and supported new VISTAs, and said goodbye to close friends. It was an amazing introduction to the VISTA Project.

This issue of The Vista Verse highlights some of the incredible projects our VISTA members have been working on recently.

While many of us went through what felt like “Finals Week” with all the events and projects accumulating in April, instead of getting ready for summer vacation we are gearing up for an exciting summer with new events and projects, new VISTA host sites and new members. It’s not exactly the same as a vacation of outdoor fun and relaxation, yet we are committed to the national cause of fighting poverty. And we’ll have fun along the way.

Thank you to the VISTA and community members for welcoming me and for being so dedicated to your work. I am so excited to be part of the great things happening here. Here’s to our summer.

VISTA Lauren hosts the first annual art auction for Habitat for Humanity ReStore

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VISTA Paige Raises Sexual Assault Awareness with the SAVA Center

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Leader’s Letter by Lisa Monsen, VISTA Leader, United Way of Weld County

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 5 2

The Grand Ol’ Auction is an annual fundraising event for United Way of Weld County. The auction is western themed and includes dinner, a silent auction, a live auction, as well as live music and games. Many community members were involved. The VISTA members volunteered and had a great time running the Silver Mine, Gold Mine and Diamond Mine.

Jeff Buchman, Campaign VISTA at United Way, helped plan and organize the event. While the final numbers haven’t been reported yet, Jeff says that they have already far surpassed the numbers from last year. Jeff describes his part:

“My role in the auction was helping with item development, including

exploring potential donors outside of Weld County which resulted in 6 new contacts and donations to the auction. As the bar coordinator I set up the two bar areas which made over $700 over the course of the evening. I also worked with Syntax Spirits on providing drinks and trained bartenders for the event which was a new feature at the bar and was well

received by the attendees and Syntax are excited to work with United Way in the future. As the Student United Way liaison I was able to recruit 6 volunteers from the AIMS community college Student United Way to help with set up and at the event.”

Rose is a VISTA serving at the United Way, focusing mainly on the Weld Project Connect and resource development.

A Florida native, she is looking forward to a real winter here in Colorado (fingers crossed for snow). Rose is a recent graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Human Resources.

Becoming involved in organizations at Clemson sparked Rose's passion for working to help the earth and those who depend on it.

She is thrilled to help bring the community of Weld County together this upcoming year.

Rose's favorite things are trees, bicycles, laughing, open-mindedness, reading, singing, and avocados.

The Grand Ol’ Auction

Welcome, Rose!

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 5 3

Children’s Festival VISTA Christina joins the Promises for Children team for the 31st Annual Children’s Festival

Suicide Education Support Services (SESS) VISTA Kristy hosts

the SESS booth at the Littler Prevention Campus Grand Opening

VISTA members Annmarie & Ally at United Way events

May 5 – Day of Caring by Rose Kinane, VISTA, United Way of Weld County

This year’s Day of Caring event, hosted by the United Way on Saturday, May 5th, brought together one hundred and fifty volunteers and fifteen area agencies throughout Weld County for the common purpose of creating a stronger, more united community. Area agencies often do not have the manpower to complete large projects, and really appreciate the help of volunteers. With the slogan of this year’s event being “Make a Flippin Difference,” ready and willing volunteers were treated to a pancake breakfast at Applebees, gearing them up for the day’s work. Volunteers made a positive difference with a variety of projects ranging from cleaning up debris in Glenmere Park, to assisting with field day games with Alzheimer’s residents, to helping with the Cinco de Mayo Parade. Seven VISTA members volunteered at different projects.

May 12 – Stamp Out Hunger: Participate in the 20th annual postal worker food drive by leaving a bag of grocery items by your mailbox for your postal worker to pick up and deliver to the food bank. VISTA members will be at King Soopers on 35th Ave in Greeley to collect

donations!

May 14 – Patience is Not Passive: Buddhist Meditation Classes with Buddhist teacher Jeanne Meyer Monday Nights 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Venue: Lincoln Park Library 919 7th St Greeley Cost: by donation

May 18 – The DIGITALBookmobile will be coming to Greeley,

from 11 am to 5 pm. Come tour the DIGITALBookmobile, see instructional videos, and have fun in the Gadget Gallery with Kindles, iPods, Androids, NOOKs and more. The DIGITALBookmobile will be at the Walmart Supercenter at 920 47th Avenue in Greeley.

May 21 – Thinking Carefully: Buddhist Meditation Classes with Buddhist teacher Jeanne Meyer Monday Nights 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Venue: Lincoln Park Library 919 7th St Greeley Cost: by donation

May 23 – Your Hips Don't Lie, Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. FREE EVENT - Hips not only provide shape and support, but also enable movement, making them among the most important parts in the body. Come and join us for some Zumba fun and learning too! To register: Call 970-392-2222 or visit www.bannerhealth.com/ncmcspirit for more information.

EVENT PHOTOS

MAY BIRTHDAYS

May 11: Happy birthday to VISTA Ellen (Aylin) Saribudak of Weld Food Bank!

Happening in May…

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 5 4

Super Art, not Superstition

A day that has superstition believers hiding under the covers, actually brought people outside under the stars and to an art auction.

Friday the 13th, 2012 of April, the ReStore had their First Annual "Home is where the heART is" Art Benefit Auction. Despite the temperature drop and the dark clouds threatening to spill, at 6pm guests began arriving to the soft tones of the piano. By 7pm all of the chairs were full as well as the

(Above) Lauren displays the artwork for bidding, while (below) the auctioneer takes bids

attendees stomachs. And then, the auction began! Art Parker, the auctioneer, rallied the crowd with his fast talking and carefully cued jokes. And it was what the crowd needed to start bidding. Although some pieces took a little longer to auction off, everything was sold.

By the end of the auction, the guests’ hands and bellies were warmed by the hot coffee and tea drinks they had been sipping on throughout the auction and everyone's hearts had been warmed with the generosity of artists, buyers, and sponsors. The auction raised approximately $1200 for the Greeley Area Habitat for Humanity and with this year’s success it will become an annual event.

Transporting one of the most popular pieces: a painted bed frame

ABOUT THE AUCTION

20 artists were each given $100 to use at the ReStore and asked to create an original piece of work out of those materials. The artists then warmly donated their piece of art to the Restore to be auctioned off. These artists range from distinguished artists in the community, art students from both High School and College along with Mothers and Fathers.

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 5 5

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. Over 2/3 of assailants are known to their victims. Yet, despite such a high incidence of sexual assault, these crimes remain grossly underreported. According to RAINN, only 46% of sexual assaults are reported. Only 3 rapists (out of 100) see the inside of a jail cell. I’ve heard sexual violence described as a silent epidemic. I like that description. Suppose 25% of the population was robbed or murdered, there would be outspoken public backlash. And yet, we hardly hear anything at all about sexual assault. Even then, a lot of what we hear shifts culpability to victims. Why was she wearing those clothes? Drinking so much? Walking through that area? People ask these questions to comfort themselves. If I don’t wear those clothes or drink that much or restrict my movement to “safer” areas, that means I won’t get raped. Unfortunately, that’s patently untrue.

To promote awareness of this traumatic crime, April has been recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. All across the US, local rape crisis centers spend the spring trying to paint their towns teal with sexual assault awareness. The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center has been doing as much for almost a decade in Fort Collins. In October 2010, the SAVA Center responded to statewide requests to expand its operations into Weld County to address the absence of sexual assault victim services after the Sexual Assault Resource Center’s closure. Even with little notice to the former agency’s dissolution, SAVA immediately began services in Weld County and was able to fill the need for a crisis hotline and victim therapy with no gaps in service. This year, SAVA was able to celebrate Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Greeley for the first time.

All in all, SAVA hosted 11 SAAM events. Of those, 5 were held in Greeley:

The Clothesline Project: The Clothesline Project is a nationwide event that began in the 1970s. SAVA displays shirts decorated by actual sexual assault survivors, their loved ones, and those that work with survivors. The Clothesline Project allows survivors to express their emotions and see that they’re not alone while educating the community about the prevalence of sexual violence. Currently, SAVA has acquired over 500 shirts and adds more each year. This year, SAVA exhbited its shirts at three different locations: the UNC campus, Zoe’s coffee shop, and Old Town Square.

The FACES Project: The FACES Project is unique to SAVA. In 2005, SAVA’s executive director felt the need to give clients more power and more of a voice in their communities. Professional photographer, Maria Montano, collaborated with SAVA to develop the FACES Project. The FACES Project gives a face and a voice to the problem of sexual violence in our community through compelling black and white portraits of local survivors and their supporters.

These amazing portraits and writings by survivors are a strong testament to each survivor’s journey from pain to hope and empowerment. Some clients note that participating in this project was, for them, the transition from victim to survivor.

kNOw More! Luncheon: SAVA also hosted the first kNOw More! fundraiser luncheon in Greeley this year. This event was, in some ways, the most important because it required a lot of community support. Despite being a relatively new agency in this community, SAVA was able to acquire the funds necessary to host the event and people of the community to attend. Over 100 guests, therefore, were introduced to SAVA’s range of services: a 24-Hour rape crisis hotline; free and sliding scale therapy; numerous support groups; and our diverse prevention education programs. These guests were also given the rare

opportunity to hear one of our clients, who had been sexually assaulted in February, speak about her journey towards healing and the numerous obstacles in her way.

The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center is so excited and grateful to have a presence in the wonderful community of Weld County. We are currently working with some members of the education community to best serve their needs and support their students with our prevention education programs. I’m sure next April will be another month of fabulous firsts as SAVA’s relationship with Weld County blossoms.

SAVA PROJECTS

The FACES Project Professional photographer, Maria Montano, collaborated with SAVA to develop the FACES Project.

The Clothesline Project

The Clothesline Project allows survivors to express their emotions and see that they’re not alone while educating the community about the prevalence of sexual violence

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SAVA Raises Sexual Assault Awareness by Paige Ball, VISTA, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center

THE VISTA VERSE | Issue 5 6

1) If you could be a background character on any TV show, which would you choose? I would love to be a background character on Mad Men. Although it isn’t the most woman-friendly workplace, I love the fashion, the fast-paced environment, the social change that is occurring in society, and the “anything is possible” mentality that so many of the characters possess.

2) Who do you admire that we’ve never heard of? Considering we have a number of Minnesota natives doing VISTA, I’m sure that some of you have heard of him, but one person I greatly admire is Paul Wellstone. Paul Wellstone

was a Minnesota Senator who died in a plane crash in 2002. He was a college professor who came to office after a truly grassroots campaign, and throughout his two terms as Senator advocated on behalf of the environment, access to health care, and people living in poverty. He was living proof that if you work hard and are firm in your beliefs, you can bring about real change.

3) If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be an elephant because they are majestic, intelligent, self-aware, and have a matriarchal family structure.

4) What are 3 things from your bucket list? I want to sky dive (I’ve already been bungee jumping), take a cross-country road trip, and go to New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

5) If you could go anywhere where would you go & who would you take? I am actually going to London and Paris with my mom in September, and I can’t think of a better trip to take or a better person to go with.

6) If you’re in a new city, do you wander or stick to the itinerary? I like a mix of the two. I pick out things I would like to do beforehand, but on a daily basis I like to be spontaneous about where I go and what I do. That way you get to see

some of the sights, but also get to make your experience truly unique.

7) Why did you become an AmeriCorps VISTA? I graduated from college in May 2011 with a BA in Sociology and I knew I wanted to do AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps VISTA was a great way to become engaged with national service, live in a different part of the country, and get experience working in the non-profit sector.

8) Where – or who – is “home”? Home is St. Paul, Minnesota, although Eau Claire, Wisconsin is my second home because I spent four years of college there.

9) What do you miss most about home? I really miss my family (including my pets) and my best friend, Megan. I also miss living in a city with great parks and the Mississippi River, a vibrant art and music scene, and some of the best restaurants around.

10) What do you love the most about being in Colorado? Colorado is absolutely beautiful! I have been here for 9 months and I still can’t get over the mountains. I also love all the local microbreweries and trying the different beers they have to offer.

The Vista

Verse

For more information, contact Lisa Monsen | VISTA Leader United Way of Weld County

Lisa@unitedway-weld.org 970-304-6179

814 9th Street | PO Box 1944 Greeley, CO 80632

Very Valuable VISTA: Elizabeth Morris, A Woman’s Place