VISTA of the Month/Nov. 2009

November 2009:  Sara Perry/Newberry County Literacy Council (NCLC)  

1. Where are you from?  I am from Newberry, SC. 

2. What were you doing before becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA?  I was going to Columbia College, but I decided to take a break.

3. Why did you join AmeriCorps VISTA?  After hearing all of the great opportunities that are offered from this program by Mrs. Barbara Chapman I thought that it would look great on a resume and that becoming a VISTA would make me a more well- rounded individual. 

4. What are your duties as a VISTA?  My job title is program developer. My duties include connecting with the Hispanic community, plan service events, maintain website, and to recruit volunteers.

5. What are your goals from your year of service?   The main goal I have is that I have brought the Council to another level so they will better help the Newberry community.

6. What are your plans after your year of service?  After this year of service I will be serving another year of service at the Newberry County Literacy Council.

7. Any special accomplishments?  This year I started a health literacy component that will allow our community to grow not only mentally but physically. I have developed new brochures, postcards, pens, and key chains as great marketing/promotion tools.

Sara is currently working on sustaining sites at Mt. Hebron AME (Prosperity,SC) and a new site at the Whitmire Town Hall (Whitmire,SC).  Both sites have great learner participation.  They are faithful in coming week after week to gain more knowledge on their selected course.  Sara is also working with NCLC partners at the Living Hope Foundation to further develop an after school program.