I started my VISTA journey in August 2019. Fresh from graduating college, I wasn’t sure which direction my career would take but knew I needed more experience if I was ever going to get my dream job. I also felt a strong pull to serve people. Fortunate enough to have two caring parents with the means to put me through college, it was time to mobilize my privilege to put back into the community. I joined the Greater South Sound VISTA Team, and began serving with Child Care Action Council (CCAC) in Olympia, WA, supporting families and child care providers across six counties. I have been...
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Despite many aspects of the future looking quite unpredictable due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities to serve our community’s most vulnerable abound. For over 50 years, AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) has mobilized members to where the need is greatest: to communities facing poverty, inequity, and unemployment. In a time when the COVID-19 has caused new or exacerbated existing poverty, inequity, and unemployment, AmeriCorps VISTA and our local Greater South Sound VISTA team is responding to this nationwide call for action.
Our VISTA members have played key...
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members go where the need is greatest: to communities facing poverty, inequity, and unemployment. VISTA members serve in a professional setting building partnerships, writing grants, and organizing volunteers. Above all, VISTA members are catalysts for change, working to advance local solutions
...Our Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund continues to act as a vital fundraising hub for both individuals and local community organizations. From churches to fitness clubs, community organizations are using previously planned events to rally their members to raise money for the Response Fund.
The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) had their annual dinner and auction scheduled for Saturday, May 2. The governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy mandate prevented the congregation from gathering as they usually would, so church leaders pivoted to plan a virtual event.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3525 7th Ave SW Suite 201
Olympia, WA 98502
Telephone: (360) 943-2773 ext. 122
Contact: Lindsay Fujimoto, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
lfujimoto@unitedway-thurston.org
United Way of Thurston County Encourages Organizations to Utilize AmeriCorps VISTA Opportunities
Olympia, Wash. — Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many organizations need to build robust emergency response plans, develop creative virtual community engagement opportunities and identify and implement program needs and changes,...
TOGETHER!’s shopping list for families in need included grocery items such as ramen, cereal, granola bars, pasta sauce, instant macaroni and cheese, canned fruits, vegetables, and chicken, as well as hygiene items such as powdered laundry detergent, diapers, baby wipes and formula. In normal times, these items would be easy to acquire, but these are not normal times.
In mid-April, TOGETHER! received assistance from the Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund created by United Way of Thurston County (UWTC) and Community Foundation of South Puget Sound. The fund continues to support...
As our community continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, two organizations have come together to create the Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund in support of vital nonprofits, individuals and vulnerable families. United Way of Thurston County (UWTC) and Community Foundation of South Puget Sound (CFSPS) launched the fund on March 16. They immediately received an influx of donations made by generous community members and businesses.
Meals on Wheels Deliveries DoubledSenior Services of South Sound (SSS) helps seniors in Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties stay active...