05 Sep, 2024
Spartanburg, S.C. (September 5, 2024) – On Friday, August 9, UWP celebrated the graduation of 13 AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members. The 2023-2024 VISTA cohort had an economic impact of $2,070,622.81 and served a total of 34,156 individuals. AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program dedicated to fighting poverty in local communities and organizations. VISTA members commit to a year of service with local non-profits, collaborating closely with these agencies to mobilize resources, enhance their capabilities, and promote long-term sustainability. United Way is honored to sponsor and support two AmeriCorps programs in our community: AmeriCorps direct service and AmeriCorps VISTA. During the August 9th program, graduating VISTAs shared about their impact, and program leadership awarded VISTA Supervisor of the Year to Jerry Rice at Benjamin E. Mays Family Resource Center. This year’s VISTA of the Year Sam Reinhardt was recognized at United Way’s Annual Awards Luncheon in June. Becca Waldorf, a former VISTA and the new AmeriCorps Program Coordinator for United Way of the Piedmont, shared, “This cohort made a tremendous impact in our service footprint with many of them moving on to pursue further educational opportunities or permanent employment. They have all shown a huge level of commitment to service and to their own personal and professional growth.” United Way is also excited to announce the following VISTAs for the 2024-2025 cohort and their respective service sites: Chelsea Cash, Corporate Volunteerism VISTA, United Way of the Piedmont Dora Rice**, Community Impact VISTA, United Way of the Piedmont Jaylin Madison, Marketing & Events VISTA, United Way of the Piedmont Sarah Blakely, Resource Development VISTA, United Way of the Piedmont Demecia Martin**, Community Development Associate VISTA, Benjamin E. Mays Family Resource Center Desirae Chitishvili, Community Engagement VISTA, PAL Horace McCollin, Community Engagement VISTA, University of South Carolina Upstate Jordan Fortune, Internal Strategy & Program Developer VISTA, The Bethlehem Center Julia Anhalt, Marketing Coordinator VISTA, ReGenesis Health Care Marlen Ramirez-Alvarado, Development Associate VISTA, St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic Matt Hagen, Community Impact Data Coordinator VISTA, University of South Carolina Upstate Nicole Collins, Community Development Associate VISTA, The Bridge At Green Street Rachel Davidson, Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator VISTA, The BridgeWay Village Rebecca Nelson, Resource Development & Engagement VISTA, Greer Relief Sam Prescott**, Community Engagement VISTA, Converse College Samm White, Community Engagement VISTA, Converse University Tenille Black, Community Impact Coordinator VISTA, Strategic Spartanburg Tiraney Powe, Community Engagement VISTA, Spartanburg Academic Movement Tra Mills, Mission Advancement VISTA, KNOW(2) **Returning VISTA Check out more information about both United Way’s AmeriCorps programs at www.uwpiedmont.org/yearofservice .