Well team, it's official! I've been approved for food stamps, financial assistance at the YMCA, and trading cleaning duties for free yoga at a local studio (never to conflict with my work schedule, of course). Pair this with my housing agreement of dog-sitting for free rent, along with cheap hair-cuts at the local salon institute and a couple happy hour specials here and there- and BAM! I'm suddenly working the system. ;)
Aside for becoming accustomed to this new lifestyle, my assignment is going well. The program, Youth United, that I am working with at the United Way is preparing for their annual Varsity Letter in Community Service Celebration that is quickly approaching! This year, we have over 300 high school students that volunteered more than 145 hours apiece in the past year to earn their Varsity Letter. Pretty cool stuff. To think that I could have possibly lettered in something and worn that stylish jacket... hmm. But, I digress...
My program consists of myself and my supervisor... SO it's a busy busy time right now! It has been exciting to be given so much responsiblity right off the bat though. We are holding the reception at the Tacoma Dome, expecting about a thousand attendees. I guess that the governor of WA spoke last year! We invited Obama, but he's tied up in Haiti at the moment. Bummer.
After the big reception, I'll begin diving into my VAD a bit more.. working on the alumni portion and a few grants. We have a former Youth United member that will be interning for the summer- so it will be great to work with her on the alumni relations piece.
Aside from learning to live the cheap life and navigating the United Way system, Tacoma has been extremely inviting. The transition from MN went much more smoothly than anticipated. Yes, I could use a few more friends... but I suppose with time... patience is a virtue, right?
Well, I'm off! Enjoy the final day of AmeriCorps week~
Vanessa Fraenkel, Youth United Assistant, United Way of Pierce County
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