TWO LIVES ENRICHED BY SERVING

AmeriCorps VISTA members “fighting poverty with passion”

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA (November 30, 2009)—One year ago, Inland Empire United Way added two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members to their team to assist with increasing volunteers and volunteer opportunities in the community, and to raise awareness of the WE Connect campaign in the Inland Empire. Inland Empire United Way acknowledges Ms. Rhea Stumm and Ms. Kristen Bennett for their term of service and celebrates their accomplishments, and welcomes a new AmeriCorps VISTA member, Ms. Denise School, for the 2009-2010 year.

Rhea Stumm received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from University of California, Riverside in 2007, and attained a certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership in 2009 from Louisiana State University, Shreveport. In 2008, Ms. Stumm served as an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) member and served as an International Student Volunteer in New Zealand during the summer of 2006. From 2004 to 2007, Ms. Stumm was an active member in the Omega Zeta Chi Community Service Sorority at the University of California, Riverside. Rhea successfully increased volunteers and volunteer opportunities in the community and shares her story.

Rhea’s most memorable experience was leading a group of middle and high school students in a community service project at the Boys and Girls Club. Their project was to plant an herb garden and make wooden garden signs. “This day was so much fun and seeing the kids’ excitement when they planted the garden was so great to witness,” said Ms. Stumm. “I have always been interested in helping people, leading me to serve through AmeriCorps. Through my experience as an AmeriCorps VISTA and as a community volunteer, I have learned that it genuinely brings happiness to my life and to others, which I find to be rewarding. I have always had the intention to help others, but in the long run I always find that I gain from it as well!”

Ms. Stumm accepted a volunteer coordinator position with Inland Empire United Way’s Education and Health initiative, and will continue to increase and coordinate volunteers and volunteer opportunities in the community.

Kristen Bennett received a Bachelor of Science degree in Planning, Public Policy, and Management with a minor in Business Administration from University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon in 2008. Ms. Bennett successfully raised awareness of WE Connect, an initiative from the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, to help working families access programs and resources to become more financially stable and connecting people to “money, opportunity, and dreams” and shares her story.

Ms. Bennett emphasizes that in the current economy, people are relying more and more on the public libraries for their internet access and for information on resources. For this reason, Kristen focused on building partnerships between public libraries and the WE Connect campaign. In certain libraries, WE Connect materials are available, weekly WE Connect Resource Workshops are offered, and direct access to the WE Connect website are available on library computers.

“I am so thankful my year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA allowed me to participate in the WE Connect campaign. This position has given me the opportunity to give back to my community, meet amazing people, and gain valuable professional experience,” said Ms. Bennett. “I am pleased with the progress I made in introducing WE Connect to the Inland Empire region and I believe the initiative will continue to be successfully implemented, widely effective, and life-changing for many people due to the enthusiasm and dedication of my community partners. I am extremely proud to have participated in events like RAM-LA and the Grand Opening of the WE Connect Neighborhood Center, which impressed me as perfect representations of collaboration.”

Ms. Bennett is seeking a position in Sacramento that will allow her to continue to advocate for programs and partnerships that benefit the community.

Denise School recently received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology from the University of Redlands, and was an active member of the Community Service Learning Office’s Volunteer Center connecting students to nonprofits and their volunteer opportunities. Ms. School joins Inland Empire United Way and their volunteer initiative, HandsOn Inland Empire, as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the 2009-2010 year to continue in the effort to increase the number of active volunteers and volunteer opportunities in the community.

“AmeriCorps has provided me an opportunity to give back to my community while gaining work experience at the same time. I am really excited that I get a chance to make a difference in my community with the Inland Empire United Way and HandsOn Inland Empire,” said Ms. School. “I want to stay in the non-profit sector and being with HandsOn Inland Empire will give me the opportunity to become more familiar with non-profit agencies throughout the Inland Empire.”

“Rhea and Kristen have accomplished an immense amount in a short period of time,” said Shalini Lall-Mulholland, Volunteer Initiative Operations Manager. “They have enabled us to provide high quality resources to local communities, which has truly enabled us to build our organizations capacity. We are extremely thankful for their deep commitment and passion for serving local communities!"

Two lives are enriched by serving as AmeriCorps VISTA members “fighting poverty with passion.” Their passion for serving and fighting poverty will continue, and their stories will inspire the passion for service in others.

About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 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, AmeriCorps VISTAs create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

About Inland Empire United Way
Inland Empire United Way (IEUW) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with local community leaders, businesses, government agencies, other nonprofits, and individuals to build a stronger, healthier community. By focusing on Education, Health, Financial Stability, and Volunteerism, as well as 2-1-1 San Bernardino County, long-lasting and positive changes are made in the lives of children, families, and individuals. The IEUW service area covers portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. For more information about your local United Way, please visit their website at www.ieuw.org.

- # # # -

back