April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize those who give themselves to help others. It’s also a time to inspire and encourage people to seek imaginative ways to contribute to strengthening their communities. Each week of National Volunteer Month, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management will profile a volunteer organization that we work with.
By Samantha Clements, Community Resilience Assistant-Coordinator VISTA, Office of Emergency Management | April 10, 2017
When I was a kid I never had a great answer for what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had plenty of answers: archaeologist, social worker, pastor… but none felt completely right. Currently I am the Community Resilience Assistant Coordinator and an AmeriCorps VISTA member. A Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science; a Master’s Degree in International Affairs, and almost a year of AmeriCorps VISTA service later I understand why I had so much trouble answering that question. I didn’t know this ‘job’ existed.
Initial Allure
I became interested in emergency management when Hurricane Sandy hit New York a month and a half after I moved into my apartment and started my graduate program at The New School. Emergency management is a growing field and everyone comes to it differently. For me, I wanted to be sure that the work I did would help people live safer and better lives.
When looking for jobs after graduation I heard about the VISTA position being open at the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management and I applied. Volunteering and service to others is something that comes quite naturally to me. I was raised in a house where you learned to pitch in whenever you could (and save yourself the lecture!) I grew up outside of Newark, Delaware and graduated from Padua Academy where we are taught to be leaders and to serve our community. Every year I participated in service activities such as packing boxes at the Delaware Food Bank with the girls in my service group, serving as a Big Sister in my senior year, and personal projects such as helping run the Sunday school program at my church and managing the church office in the summer.
Learning More
I went to Susquehanna University where service is part of the motto: Achieve, Lead, Serve. (Shout out to fellow Riverhawks contributing their hours to reach the goal of 125,000 hours of service in 2017 for SU SERVE: Susquehanna Engaging in Regional Volunteer Experiences). From getting up at the crack of dawn to help nervous freshmen and weary parents move their belongings into their new student dorm each year, to spending a whole day leading small and big groups in activities and games for Lutheran Youth Day in the spring, and serving as a Peer Educator for the Counseling Center and establishing the SU chapter of ActiveMinds on campus… volunteering was a huge part of my undergraduate experience and something I knew would remain a priority for life.
VISTA Explained
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members serve full-time for a year at nonprofit organizations and local government agencies to help alleviate poverty, empower communities, build capacity, and create sustainable solutions. AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Many VISTAs are sponsored by a volunteer or community organization. Here in Philadelphia, VISTAs that work in government agencies are sponsored by SERVE Philadelphia. We have a lot of different focuses such as food security, education, and in my case: helping to plan for those with disabilities and other access and functional needs before, during, and after an emergency. I volunteer because I want to use my skills, knowledge, and abilities to help others the best I can. Here at OEM I have the opportunity to help design accessible materials, work with our AFN advisory panel to identify steps we can take to better plan for those with disabilities and other needs, and educate others on incorporating the whole community along the way.
Interested?
Since 2010, 103 AmeriCorps VISTA members have served through the Serve Philadelphia in 21 different city departments. The next round of VISTAs will begin their service in July, if you’d like to join visit to learn more https://www.serve.phila.gov/vista and submit an application by April 19, 2017.
For more information contact Claire Healy, VISTA Program Coordinator by emailing Claire.Healy@phila.gov or calling 215-490-7210.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is currently seeking applications for the Community Resilience Assistant Coordinator position in our planning division. This position is an AmeriCorps VISTA service position starting July 17, 2017 until July 20, 2018. Visit our jobs‘ section for more information.
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