Yesterday was my last day as an Americorps VISTA serving here at PR Food Center. My emotions are so jumbled up right now, I don't know where to begin. Last week I shared with you what I love about the programs here and my time serving as a VISTA. But that was only part of the story.
I am so grateful to Brianna, Ryan, Scott, Steve and the team at Goodwill Americorps Serves who mentored me and shared with me the vision that is VISTA and always reminded me that I was doing way more than I ever gave myself credit for.
Amy, the Project Assistant when I first started here taught me so much about PR Food Center, the programs we run, and most importantly, the friendship we created that will last beyond our time as the PR Food Center team.
To Merrilee, Bree, and Evie, who make the best work companions anyone could ever ask for; through program development, volunteer recruitment, and keeping each other sane, they are the best work family you could ever ask for. We have survived computer crashes, fender benders, the giant heron that tried to take out the car while making deliveries, and many more stories for another day. But most importantly, these ladies have such incredible hearts and work so hard, and are so passionate about the work PR Food Center is doing and the people we serve.
Erin....to you Erin, for taking a chance on this crazy Squirrel with her 20 tabs running in her head and randomly changing topics. Your patience in learning to work with my personality, listening to all the crazy ideas I come up with, and mentoring me through the last year has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. The vision that you and Steve have for this program, our community, and beyond has left me breathless at moments. Your desire to make change, to help others, and make our community so much brighter, happier, healthier, and nourished has shown me that I can dream a little bigger, help a little more, and make a difference in my community.
So, while I am no longer serving as an Americorps VISTA, I am very proud to announce that I have accepted the nomination to become the new Board member here at PR Food Center. I may not be here every day, and I may not be working on blogs and marketing, but I will still be coming up with innovative ideas to Get Food Moving, serve my community, and get to see the vision that Erin, Steve, and the rest of the Board of Directors have for PR Food Center and our community come to fruition.
~With Friendship,
TMak