<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Has anyone either been a part of this program? or done something like this? do you think that helping people in this way is something that blind people do? If you believe so, then how?<div class=""> Look forward to your thoughtful responses!</div><div class=""><div class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">From: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">"Get Connected: Tumblr" <<a href="mailto:cncs@delivery.nationalservice.gov" class="">cncs@delivery.nationalservice.gov</a>><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Corporation for National & Community Service Tumblr Blog | <a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com" class="">NationalService.Tumblr.com</a> Update</b><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Date: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">May 24, 2016 at 10:02:33 AM PDT<br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:president@nfbcommunityservice.org" class="">president@nfbcommunityservice.org</a><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Reply-To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:cncs@delivery.nationalservice.gov" class="">cncs@delivery.nationalservice.gov</a><br class=""></span></div><br class=""><div class="">
<title class=""> Corporation for National & Community Service Tumblr Blog | <a href="<a href="<a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com" class="">http://nationalservice.tumblr.com</a>" class=""><a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com" class="">http://nationalservice.tumblr.com</a></a>" class=""><a href="<a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com" class="">http://nationalservice.tumblr.com</a>" class=""><a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com" class="">NationalService.Tumblr.com</a></a></a> Update
</title>
<div style="" class="">
<table width="700" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" class="">
<tbody class=""><tr class="">
<td class=""><p style="text-align: right;" class=""><img src="https://admin.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USCNCS/2014/06/311537/gd-tumblr-banner_original.jpg" alt="Tumblr Banner" width="700" height="100" style="float: left;" class="">Having trouble viewing this email? <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCNCS/bulletins/14b2ed4" class="">View it as a Web page</a>.<br class=""><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCNCS/bulletins/14b2ed4?reqfrom=share" target="_blank" class=""><img width="83" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="https://public.govdelivery.com/assets/share_this-795413ad3d604760a450815a10e46c8ea06b7315facb759ffdacbc7b7830f87b.gif" class=""></a></p><p class="">You are subscribed to Tumblr Blog | <a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com" class="">NationalService.Tumblr.com</a> for Corporation for National & Community Service. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.</p><div class=""><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div class="rss_item" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">
<div class="rss_title" style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 120%; margin: 0 0 0.3em; padding: 0;"><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&102&&&http://nationalservice.tumblr.com/post/144856628302" class="">A Senior Adventure: Joining the War on Poverty</a></div>
<div class="rss_pub_date" style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; color: #666666; margin: 0 0 0.3em; padding: 0;">05/24/2016 09:46 AM EDT</div>
<br class="">
<div class="rss_description" style="margin: 0 0 0.3em; padding: 0;"><p class=""><b class="">By Tom Ferraro</b></p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1424" data-orig-width="2144"><img data-orig-height="1424" data-orig-width="2144" alt="Tom Ferraro, an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving in Maryland" src="http://66.media.tumblr.com/fa6a88a04c16d5da298f0a528337b75e/tumblr_inline_o6wum0Wzs31spgs8j_540.jpg" class=""></figure><!-- more --><p class="">DAVIDSONVILLE, Md. – Starting to
feel old and bored, I needed a new adventure. So at
67, I enlisted in the “war on poverty” by joining <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&103&&&http://1.usa.gov/1ZSW9kz" target="_blank" class="">AmeriCorps VISTA</a> (Volunteers in Service to
America), whose ranks are dominated by recent
college graduates.</p><p class="">I graduated from college in the 1970s,
long before laptops, iPhones or the formalization of “a gap year” for young
adults to find themselves. After a 45-year career as a news
reporter, I suddenly found myself retired. I played tennis three times a week,
went to senior-discounted movies and took daily walks with my dog, Milo.</p><p class="">Wanting a more rewarding activity, and figuring it was time to give back, I remembered VISTA, the “domestic Peace Corps,” created a half century ago by President
Lyndon Johnson as part of his “War on Poverty.”</p><p class=""> I applied, was accepted, and went to a week of
training. On the final day, I stood with my young classmates, raised my right
hand and was sworn in.</p><p class="">I got assigned to do my year of service
at <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&104&&&https://buildingfamiliesforchildren.org/" target="_blank" class="">Building Families for Children</a>, a century-old nonprofit headquartered in
Columbia, Md., and dedicated to giving at risk-children and parents a fresh
start.</p><p class="">From the first week, I’ve been
asked, “How do you like your job?” It’s a
difficult question to answer.</p><p class="">My job, as
Johnson explained in the 1960s, is to be among the “front line volunteers in our
war against poverty.” And as I and other trainees were told, “Fighting poverty
isn’t rocket science. It’s tougher.” So much
tougher that I find it uncomfortable to say, “I enjoy my job.” </p><p class="">The work
is frustrating, often agonizing. More people are hurting than we are helping.
They include single moms, homeless children and foster kids who have been
abused, traumatized and discarded. Their sin is that they lost life’s biggest lottery by being born into poverty.</p><p class=""> Like the
newborn baby whose unemployed parents lived in a tent, the homeless girl found
digging through trash for food and the boy sold for drugs by his addicted
mother. Despite such suffering, I don’t dislike my job. How could I?</p><p class="">That’s because we do make progress. At least for some folks, on
some days. Like the teenage boy who bounced in and out of a dozen foster
homes and institutions before we placed him with a “tough-love” couple, one who
he could finally embrace as “Mom and Dad.” Still, he was suspended from high
school eight times before he buckled down and graduated with honors.</p><p class=""> Like
the homeless mom who planned to put her two children up for adoption. We came
to the rescue by having one of our volunteer “host families” temporarily care
for her kids. This gave mom time to find a job and a place to live. Now
reunited with her children, she says, “We’re happy.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="853" data-orig-width="1280"><img data-orig-height="853" data-orig-width="1280" alt="Tom Ferraro, an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving in Maryland" src="http://65.media.tumblr.com/2fea915acc683a2b49ca4987cfc703ce/tumblr_inline_o7oocwX0tS1spgs8j_540.jpg" class=""></figure><p class=""> These were victories worth celebrating. But
other times, it’s hard to tell whether what we do is helping.</p><p class="">On a Friday night, I got a call from a single mother evicted from her apartment
with her three children. “Please help,” she said. I made a few calls, and they
ended up spending the weekend at a motel free of charge. On
Monday, she was again looking for a place to live and refusing to let go of her
children - even for a day or so. </p><p class=""> “I can’t
give up my kids,” she said when I suggested that she let one of our trained volunteers
briefly house them. “No.”</p><p class=""> “Okay,” I
said. “But call me back if needed.”</p><p class="">I
never heard back from her, and still wonder what happened.</p><p class="">At
<a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&105&&&https://buildingfamiliesforchildren.org/" target="_blank" class="">Building Families</a>, I work to increase our profile and clout by writing stories
about those we help, collaborating with churches, businesses and community
leaders, raising money and recruiting volunteers. But
much more must be done.</p><p class="">In
the meantime, I have an answer when asked, “How do you like your job?” I
say, “It’s a challenge, a worthy one.”</p><p class="">I’m glad I’m
here. It beats playing tennis or going to the movies, which I now rarely do. But I still walk my dog each day. It’s nice to have something in life that’s easy.</p><p class="">Thomas Ferraro lives in Davidsonville, Md. <br class=""></p><p class="">
<i class="">For more information on AmeriCorps VISTA opportunities throughout the country, go to <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&106&&&http://1.usa.gov/1ZSW9kz" target="_blank" class="">www.nationalservice.gov/VISTA.</a></i>
<br class=""></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="mail_footer" class="">
<table style="width: 700px;" border="0" align="center" class="">
<tbody class="">
<tr class="">
<td style="text-align: center;" class=""><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: 'times new roman', times;" class="">Questions? <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&107&&&http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/contact-us" target="_blank" class="">Contact Us</a></span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class=""><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: 'times new roman', times;" class="">SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&108&&&https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCNCS/subscriber/new" target="_blank" class="">Manage Preferences</a></span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class=""><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: 'times new roman', times;" class=""> <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&109&&&https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCNCS/subscriber/one_click_unsubscribe?verification=5.388326d29262b4ca9c794d763bee4322&destination=president%40nfbcommunityservice.org" target="_blank" class="">Unsubscribe</a></span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class=""><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: 'times new roman', times;" class=""><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&110&&&https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/" class="">Help</a></span></td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td style="text-align: center;" colspan="4" class=""><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: 'times new roman', times;" class="">This service is provided to you at no charge by <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&111&&&http://www.nationalservice.gov/" class="">Corporation for National and Community Service</a>.</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="tagline" class="">
<hr class="">
<table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="">
<tbody class="">
<tr class="">
<td style="color: #757575; font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial;" width="89%" class="">This email was sent to <a href="mailto:president@nfbcommunityservice.org" class="">president@nfbcommunityservice.org</a> using GovDelivery, on behalf of: Corporation for National & Community Service · 250 E. Street SW · Washington, DC 20525 · (202) 606- 5000 · (800) 833-3722</td>
<td align="right" width="11%" class=""><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDU5ODg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1wcmVzaWRlbnRAbmZiY29tbXVuaXR5c2VydmljZS5vcmcmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&112&&&http://www.govdelivery.com/portals/powered-by" target="_blank" class=""><img src="https://service.govdelivery.com/banners/GOVDELIVERY/logo_gd_poweredby.gif" border="0" alt="Powered by GovDelivery" width="115" height="35" class=""></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<img src="http://cdn.mailscanner.info/1x1spacer.gif" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from http://links.govdelivery.com/track?enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNTI0LjU5NDExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDUyNC41OTQxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmdHlwZT1vcGVuJnNlcmlhbD0xNzA1OTg4OSZlbWFpbGlkPXByZXNpZGVudEBuZmJjb21tdW5pdHlzZXJ2aWNlLm9yZyZ1c2VyaWQ9cHJlc2lkZW50QG5mYmNvbW11bml0eXNlcnZpY2Uub3JnJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=" /></div>
</div></blockquote></div><br class=""></div></body></html>