Let the real world begin...

I am officially a Butler University Alumn! How weird is that? The last few years have flown by and so many amazing things have happened in my life! Just a few days ago, my niece was born :) I now have a 4 1/2 year old nephew-Carson, and a 3 day old niece, Brooke. I am a very proud aunt! So now that I have graduated, what's next? Life as an Americorps VISTA! This will be my attempt to keep you all updated with the amazing things I will have an opportunity to be a part of as a VISTA.

VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) offers 1-year positions to individuals with a focus on eliminating poverty. I will be working for Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) at IUPUI in Indianapolis. It is kind of tricky to explain-Americorps is who I am employed by, but my supervisor works for ICC and I will be in that office 3 days a week, but I will also be working in the Student Center at IUPUI 2 days a week. Maybe before the year is over I will come up with a better way to describe who I actually work for...

I don't actually begin working until January 7, but I had my Pre-Service Orientation in Chicago a few weeks ago. It was a great opportunity to learn so much about Americorps, the VISTA program, and poverty in general. It was great to get to meet so many other people with similar views and I made some really good friends during my time there. I am really looking forward to beginning work and learning about all that I will be able to do. ICC works with the 45 colleges around the state of Indiana to promote service learning and civic engagement. I will be specifically working with Student Programs by conducting focus groups to learn what professional needs the students want as well as developing and expanding on many other programs. I am not 100% sure what all I will be doing at this point in time, but I am excited about being involved with the "other side" of student life. It will be great being able to help students have the experiences that I enjoyed so much during my time at Butler.

As a VISTA, I will get a government stipend. I am a little bit anxious about the fact that it is set at poverty level but I think that it will be a good learning experience. Thankfully, my family is very supportive of my decision to join Americorps and will be there for me throughout the whole experience. I am sure that I will learn a lot about budgeting my money and what is actually important in life!

So, now that I have a few weeks to enjoy my freedom before the "real world" actually begins, I plan to catch up on all of my relaxing, reading, sleeping, and spending time with family and friends. I probably will not have much to update here until I start working but be sure to check back in every once in awhile- and be sure to send me updates on your life! Happy Holidays to you all!

Carson and Brooke 12/18/2008