AmeriCorps - So Much to Appreciate!

 This month, CRIS is celebrating our wonderful AmeriCorps members (Halima Askar, Hannah Hartshorn, and Beth Watkins - people we appreciate daily) and announcing our current recruitment efforts for an AmeriCorps VISTA Job Developer. Applications are due by Friday, May 4th, and more information and application instructions can be found on CRIS's website or by clicking this link to the AmeriCorps VISTA Job Developer position.  To give you, our blog-readers, a taste of the exciting flavors of CRIS work, here are some reflections from Hannah and Beth:What do you do at CRIS? Beth: I work alongside CRIS’s Employer Representative as a Job Developer.  I seek out job opportunities that are appropriate for our clients and work with CRIS employment counselors to identify clients whose skills would be well-suited for those openings.  I also work with employers to facilitate the hiring of limited English speakers and to provide post-hire support to ensure a smooth employment relationship.Hannah: I'm CRIS's VISTA Resource Developer - I work to bring people and resources to CRIS that will help us better serve our clients. That can mean speaking at a local community event on Monday, working with a team to film the arrival of refugees on Tuesday, and recruiting and training volunteers on Wednesday. Each week is different and I feel so fortunate to have a job that keeps me interested and challenges me everyday.How has the AmeriCorps experience enhanced your skills?Beth: My training and early career are grounded in business and corporate law.  An extended period as a full-time parent, helped me discover that I really enjoy assisting people in developing to their full potential. AmeriCorps has given me the opportunity to transfer my skills and passion to the non-profit arena. I have learned the importance of building long-term relationships with employers in order to create sustainable job opportunities for CRIS clients. Hannah: Thanks to AmeriCorps, I am able to work at CRIS! I get great work experience, have a variety of training opportunities, and meet fellow service-providers everyday. AmeriCorps has given me the chance to do work that interests me in the non-profit sector and get paid for it - something difficult to accomplish as a recent college graduate in the current economy.How has working at CRIS and as an AmeriCorps VISTA opened your eyes or expanded you intellectually and emotionally?Beth: It is impossible to work at CRIS and not have your eyes opened to the role that culture plays in our lives.  I have grown intellectually in my global perspective and understanding of various cultural traditions.  I have also grown in my understanding of human nature and how fundamental human characteristics cut across ethnic and cultural distinctions. I continue to marvel at the courage our clients exhibit when they leave their homes and start over in the United States. Hearing clients’ personal stories in their own words helps me to empathize with the enormity of the cultural transition they are making. Their stories also inspire me to continue growing and to welcome new challenges in my own life.Hannah: Working at CRIS is eye-opening, particularly when it comes to how I see my city. I've learned so much about the refugee community here in Columbus and have been exposed to the amazing services available in our city. I've lived here my whole life but, in only a few months, have gained a new, much broader perspective of the people who live in the central Ohio area. I am constantly amazed and inspired by the people I work with, both clients and colleagues. The dedication, passion and strength of our clients is the driving force behind the work that we do at CRIS. The dedication, passion and strength of my colleagues makes me happy to be at our office every day.