Thank you VISTAs!

The IRC in San Francisco would like to extend a special thank-you to our four AmeriCorps VISTAs who worked diligently on behalf of the IRC, Oakland, Turlock, and San Francisco for the past year. Jen Smith, John Hollis, Mykael Ornbaun, and Nicole Germanov have coordinated volunteers, organized special events, helped newly arrived refugees find work, and promoted awareness for refugee issues throughout the Bay Area, among a variety of tasks required for the day-to-day operation of the agency.

The IRC appreciates these VISTAs for their tireless work throughout the year. We asked them how they plan to build on their experience at the IRC after their VISTA year has concluded:

Jen hopes to utilize the skills she developed as a VISTA to pursue full-time employment in the non-profit sector in Stanislaus County, working to improve the lives of the disadvantaged.

John is looking for work in the non-profit sector while applying to law school for the fall of ’11.

Nicole is going to continue her work as a VISTA, taking over the position of volunteer coordinator in the Oakland office. She jumped at the opportunity to continue working with the IRC, and looks forward to another year working with the refugee community.

Mykael plans on studying immigration law in order to continue her work with internationally displaced peoples.
 
The IRC is confident that each of our graduating VISTAs will be successful in whatever endeavors they pursue. We look forward to having them as allies down the road in our work to bring refugees from harm to home.