Make a Difference!

Want to change the world (or at least Troy)? Starting your career and looking for great work experience? Bored with retirement and hoping for interesting activities? Need a change in life? 

Become a VISTA volunteer with TRIP!

TRIP has two full-time one-year VISTA positions available starting August 2013. The Americorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program provides compensation of approximately $10,000, health insurance and an end-of-term award for education ($4,725) or cash ($1,200). For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA, see http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista

TRIP’s VISTAs will help with several exciting initiatives involving addressing vacant properties, fostering community collaborations to create significant impact, and furthering TRIP’s green initiative. On-the-job training as well as national VISTA training will be provided. 

To apply, send email and resume to hilary@triponline.org. Applications accepted through May 21st.

Full-Time AmeriCorps*VISTA Positions Available, November 2012- November 2013

TRIP is seeking two motivated and energetic people to join our team for one year through AmeriCorpsVISTA. If you are interested in making a change in Troy and the world while sharing and/or gaining valuable experience and skills, this is a great opportunity for you!

Our VISTA volunteers will promote community involvement and healthy neighborhoods while furthering TRIP's commitment to bringing green and sustainable practices and resources to our customers and the community. We welcome your creativity, energy, and enthusiasm and promise you an opportunity to learn and make an impact in return.

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) offers a modest living stipend and end of year benefit. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. For more information about VISTA go to http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp.

Applications will be accepted until August 3, 2012. For more information or to submit a letter of interest and resume contact hilary@triponline.org or TRIP, 415 River Street, Troy, NY 12180.

Full-Time Americorps*VISTA Positions Available, November 2012 - November 2013

TRIP is seeking two motivated and energetic people to provide a year of service through Americorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in the following areas:

Resident Engagement Volunteer -- primary responsibilities include: establishing and overseeing a youth coalition promoting community involvement and healthy neighborhoods, developing sustainable systems to engage TRIP tenants and their children in community improvement, and aiding current and emerging neighborhood associations.

Green and Sustainability Volunteer -- primary responsibilities include: promoting TRIP as an environmentally conscious organization dedicated to providing resources and opportunities to clients and the community, participating as a member of TRIP's internal Green Team, establishing systems to ensure that our Green goals are achieved and maintained, and working with the Green Team to reach and sustain the Green NeighborWorks Organization designation requirements.

If you want to make a change in Troy and the world, this is a great opportunity! On-the-job training as well as national VISTA training will be provided. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

For more information about Americorps*VISTA and/or the positions available at TRIP, please contact Hilary Lamishaw at hilary@triponline.org or call (518)272-8289 x214. Applications will be accepted until August 3, 2012. Submit a letter of interest and resume to Hilary at hilary@triponline.org or TRIP at 415 River Street, Troy, NY 12180.

Goodbye and Thank You

Jeanette Nicholson

TRIP bids adieu - and thanks -- to Americorps*VISTA Volunteer Jeanette Nicholson.  We can hardly believe that Jeanette's one year position here ends this month; the year has definitely flown by!   Serving as TRIP's Outreach Worker, she has been so helpful in supporting various neighborhood groups, TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council), and the Vacant Properties Workgroup.  She worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the success of community events like North Central's National Night Out and Earth Day cleanups, Uptown's Harvest Festival, TRIP's Open House at 2232 5th Avenue and more. She was a frequent face in the neighborhoods as part of TRIP's commitment to community-building.

Hilary Lamishaw, TRIP's Director of Community Affairs, claims, "Jeanette has brought such value to TRIP with her passion for Troy's neighborhoods.  Yet what I'll miss most is her smile, enthusiasm and gentle nature.  She was really a pleasure to work with. We're lucky that Jeanette is a long-time homeowner in Troy. We know we'll be seeing her out and about in Troy!"

From all of us at TRIP:  "Thanks so much, Jeanette!  It's been great having you as part of our team."    

Two New Faces at TRIP

Joining the TRIP team this month are two new AmeriCorp VISTA Volunteers. Claire Pitts and Mary Rynasko will be spending the next year as an Outreach Support Worker and a Program Support Worker respectively.

But what is a VISTA Volunteer? AmeriCorps "Volunteers in Service to America" has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 45 years. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, volunteers create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

Mary

Mary Rynasko is a 2011 graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. At Skidmore, she studied studio art and sociology focusing particularly on her interests in textiles, drawing, and gender studies. Mary says, “I learned of the position at TRIP through a family friend and started the ball rolling from there. I’ve spent the last four years taking a lot of art classes but always with an eye on how my work speaks to larger social issues. Through my study of sociology, I have become acutely aware of my own privileges and hope that my past and future decisions will position me to use those privileges as a tool for advancing equality; those who can do—should.” If you are curious to see how Mary spent her time and what sort of art she made at Skidmore, feel free to visit marynasko.com!!

Claire

Claire Pitts is a recent graduate of Alfred University with an Interdisciplinary Art major and a Dance minor. Though she loved living in a small town for the last four years, she missed her home in Troy and found herself excited to return at the end of her senior year. Claire states, “There is a creative and innovative energy in Troy that refuses to fade. I became a VISTA to encourage that energy to grow! I grew up guided by parents who were always involved in local non-profits, and it rubbed off on me in a big way. This year, I am looking forward to acquiring a skill set that will be helpful to not-for-profits. Already, I am excited about seeing some of TRIP’s current plans come to fruition. Troy is a beautiful place and I’d love to help its residents feel good about living here!” Claire makes sound and performance art and specializes in site-specific, modern dance. She has no website, but can provide links to some pretty silly dances she’s taken part in.