[Community-Service] Every Story Matters!

[Bacon Fish]

Hi Veronica love your piece.  This is Rasheta please hit me up: rasheta at blindvizion.org <mailto:rasheta at blindvizion.org> or call me at: (347) 337-4606.

> On Nov 15, 2022, at 3:39 PM, Maggie Stringer via Community-Service <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> We are keeping on, and keeping on with recognizing National Novel Writing month!
> 
>  
> Without further ado, the second piece written by
> 
> Veronica Alston,
> 
>  
> Removed To Make Moves
> 
> It was a Wednesday morning, September 6th 2017 to be exactly what started off as a typical day. As soon as I arrived at my former place of employment where I worked for 13 years. I was told by my supervisor that the Program Director wanted to see me about some required in-services I needed to take. I thought it was a bit strange because usually the supervisor is the one who is responsible for notifying staff about maintaining proper procedures and guidelines for the agency.
> 
> My visit to the Program Director’s office was not at all what I expected. I was given a pink slip and was told that my position would no longer be available due to budget cuts. “If things change at the start of the new fiscal year, we’ll be glad to call you back”. It sounded like a bunch of malarkey… on top of that, I didn’t even think to have that put in writing. So, there I was, no job, not much knowledge of using a computer and no clue how to search for a job. I became overwhelmed with creating accounts with LinkedIn, Indeed and ZipRecruiter. I eventually signed up with an agency that helped individuals who are blind and visually impaired find employment.
> 
> I was unsuccessful in obtaining employment between the time I was laid off until Covid 19 came and disrupted the normalcy of our lives. I received a call from the agency during the shutdown letting me know not only were things being put on hold but they would no longer be providing services for finding employment. Since remote jobs became more plentiful during the pandemic, I was able to find a summer employment position as a Community relations Specialist working with homeless youth. While in this position I was able to enhance my computer skills as well as learn to collaborate with local businesses and youth serving agencies. The Director wanted to hire me beyond the summer but did not have the additional funding. Around that same time, I started volunteering with the New Lifestyles Transitional Housing for Women. I became the Assistant Platform Manager for the New Lifestyles Empowerment Virtual Lounge which still exists today even though Covid restrictions have been lifted.
> 
> In February of 2021 I took an eight-month virtual training through the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven that teaches how to start a nonprofit organization. I did some soul searching and decided that my passion is working with women and children who are in need of community resources instrumental in fostering maturity, growth and stability. the name of my nonprofit organization (Opportunity for Growth).   My first pilot project was in August of 2021 hosting a community event for teen moms and their babies. I then did a Teen Parent Expo in April of 2022 to help teen parents become aware of resources that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being.
> 
> I’m currently hosting community events for women and children.
> 
> So… what have I learned over the last five years? Well… now I look at change as being a necessary ingredient for building strength, perseverance and creativity. I can now look at my former job of 13 years as a hindrance. Yes, I was comfortable at the time doing what I had to do but not what I needed to do. I had to be removed in order to make moves.
> 
> I’m unemployed right now but trust and believe I do have a job! I’m going to continue to strengthen my nonprofit organization to help make a difference in the lives of others and keep serving with a smile.         
> 
>  
> Thank you, Veronica!
> 
> Who’s next?
> 
> You already know the topic, COMMUNITY SERVICE!
> 
> Write a short or long piece, it can be fictional or non. Just make it your own!
> 
> You write it, and we’ll share it!
> 
> 
> #COMMUNITYSERVICE
> #NOVELWRITINGMONTH
> 
> Maggie Stringer 
> Phone: (443) 750-0070
> Email: ravensfan784 at gmail.com <mailto:ravensfan784 at gmail.com>
> Community Service Facebook Page <https://www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision/>
> “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Community-Service mailing list
> Community-Service at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-Service:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/rashetabunting%40gmail.com

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/community-service_nfbnet.org/attachments/20221116/0fd1fbc9/attachment.html>