César Chávez DAY OF SERVICE 2011

YAVAPAI COUNTY, AZ— Each year on March 31st, individuals and organizations across the United States come together in service and recognition to pay tribute to the mission of César Chávez. Chávez dedicated his life’s work to supporting the right to fair working conditions, social justice and community engagement. The day is an opportunity to strengthen and build relationships in our own community while learning about the Arizona-born Chávez and his work. In honor of César Chávez Day 2011, please join members of SERVE Yavapai, La Tierra Community School and the Prescott High School National Honor Society in two service oriented projects on Saturday, March 26th, 2011.

La Tierra Community School, in cooperation with Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, invites community members who care about elementary education to roll up your sleeves and paint the school building.  Just bring a sack lunch, dress for outdoor painting, and be ready to share some great company on March 26 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.   Together, we will make a beautiful difference for students, staff and their neighboring community!  La Tierra Community School (www.latierracommunitychool.org) is a new Expeditionary Learning school located in Prescott, Arizona.  The School is transitioning into a K-3 public charter school in 2011-2012 and retains the 4-5 classroom as a private school.  La Tierra provides an active, transformative educational experience and values a respect for diversity, academic rigor and a commitment to social and environmental justice.

Additionally, the Prescott High School National Honor Society is partnering with Goodwill of Central Arizona and has organized a Spring Donation Drive to support Goodwill’s mission to “Put People to Work!” Your involvement is simple; you can finish your spring cleaning, and support your community, all at once! Just bring your gently used household items such as clothing, books, toys and shoes to Prescott High School on March 26th between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Your donations will be redistributed to Goodwill stores and support the communities of Yavapai County.

SERVE Yavapai is a collaboration of the Yavapai County VISTA Project and the Yavapai County AmeriCorps Project. SERVE is dedicated to helping build and sustain the efforts of Yavapai County service providers and community members to continually improve the quality of life across the region. We work to support efforts in creating a just and healthy community.

Be great in your community!  Contact Jacquie Welsh at (928) 515-4454 or events@ycvp.org for more information or questions. 

·         What: Cesar Chavez Day of Service

·         When: Saturday, March 26th

·         Where: La Tierra Community School: 10am-3pm

·         Where: Goodwill/National Honor Society Clothing Drive: Prescott High School 1050 N. Ruth St., 8am-4pm

Meet VISTA Davey Parziale

Davey is currently serving with Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters in Cottonwood, Arizona.  This is Davey’s second year serving with AmeriCorps.  Last year, Davey got his hands dirty as a corps member serving at the AmeriCorps NCCC North Central Region campus located in Vinton, Iowa.

Davey grew up in New Jersey and received his Bachelor Degree from The College of New Jersey in Women and Gender Studies.  After spending a summer and a semester volunteering and studying abroad in Ghana, West Africa, a travel bug was ignited that has led to Davey getting involved with AmeriCorps and has brought him across the country on these journeys.  New places, new experiences and meeting new people have become an addicting way of life and a fantastic opportunity to continue learning.

Davey has spent this time serving with AmeriCorps because he believes in the benefits and importance of national service.  He has elected to serve this current year with VISTA to have the opportunity to contribute a sustainable impact on a community and an organization through one full year of service.

VISTA Member Hillary Goldstein Discusses her Background and Work with First Things First

I think that the best way someone can introduce themselves is by sharing quotes that have touched their hearts and motivated their spirits. Here are some quotes that are relevant to me at this point in my life.

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible” Francis of Assisi

“Clear your mind of can’t” Samuel Johnson

“Life is a journey not a destination” Adaptation of Prescott College’s motto

Here is a bit more background information.

In 2006 I moved to Prescott, Arizona to attend Prescott College (PC). To put it simply, “Prescott College rocked my world but in a good way”. I graduated with a teaching degree in Elementary Education with a Teacher Certificate.

I am a proud educator, working to make a difference in the lives of children. After graduating PC I worked at as an AmeriCorps member at Coyote Springs Elementary School in Prescott Valley. I chose to pursue VISTA this year because I wanted to learn more about organizational management and community development.

At my 6 month marker, I can say I’ve experienced far more that I expected, the learning curve has been steep, but the outcome is worthwhile. On April 10, 2011, Yavapai First Things First will launch the second annual region wide Diaper Drive. Last year over 20,000 diapers and wipes where collected for
children in need! This is a fantastic number. It shows that the people of the Yavapai region care and are willing to make a difference. This year I believe for more community partnerships to be built and lives to be improved.

Did you know that 26% of Yavapai families with children under age 5 are living in poverty, with income less than $22,000 for a family of four? To keep a baby healthy, it takes 90 diapers per week, which amounts to $40 per week or $2,080 per year! Join the Yavapai Regional First Things First team in the second annual diaper drive from April 10, 2011 to May 8, 2011. Help us raise awareness, and diapers to children in need.

Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters

Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters has the mission of enhancing the lives of children through quality mentoring relationships.  With 743 “Littles” involved, this branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters is the leading Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the United States for the number of children matched to a mentor per capita.  While this is a feat for Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, it also shows just how many children of Yavapai County and Sedona are in need of a positive adult friend and role model in their lives.

To give you a feel for the kind of situations these children are in, 76% are in low income families, 83% do not live in two parent homes (which may mean they live with one parent, with a grandparent, with another relative, or in foster care), and an incredible 27% of the children in our program have an incarcerated parent.  And we are constantly getting more referrals from parents, teachers, shelters, and churches that have recognized a child in need.

The positive part of all this is that mentors can truly make a significant difference in the lives of children.  Here are some quotes I have gathered from the Littles in our program about their “Bigs” that prove what an impact mentors have on children.

“My Big took me to the Grand Canyon.  I didn’t know the world was that big.”

 “My Big Sister is like a sister to me.”

“My Big taught me to tie my shoes.  Whenever I tie my shoes, I think of him.”

 “So this is how a family acts.”

“My Big is the only one that listens to me.  I can tell her anything and I know she will understand.”

“For my birthday, I got a card in the mail from my Big.  I never used to get anything in the mail.”

“The first day I met my Big, she gave me a bracelet with my name on it.  I have worn it for two years and it is starting to smell like cheese, but I still like it.”

“My Big is my best friend.”

“I value the feedback I get from him.  He’s gone through a lot and he helps me deal with things.”

“I had not eaten dinner at a table all together as a family before.”

Katie Forsberg
VISTA Member with Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters