Jun 25th, 2009
Congresswoman Gwen Moore joined Safe & Sound staff on the office rooftop on June 22nd to introduce and welcome AmeriCorps VISTA, and new permanent staff. The day was also a special thanks for Safe & Sound’s AmeriCorps Public Allies, who completed their 10 month service. Other attendees included board members Gail Burnside and Lynn Greb, Eva Hernandez of Public Allies and Linda Sunde and Shannon Rolf of the AmeriCorps state office.
Congresswoman Gwen Moore began her lifetime of service after joining VISTA to help her neighborhood in Milwaukee. Moore emphasized that VISTA teaches you to work with the resources you have. She developed a personal mantra which she has stuck with ever since her service in the 1970’s; “We will either find a way, or make one.” It was only fitting to have Rep. Moore as the guest of honor.
Safe & Sound recruited four dynamic individuals to serve as VISTA members for one year. VISTAs Jessica Watson and Caroline Thomas will develop collaborative youth-led Crime Strategy Initiatives with youth leadership groups, law enforcement, and other community stakeholders. Cacy Williams will work to further develop block clubs, landlord and business compact resources and networks. One additional VISTA, Joel Brenord, will work on more fully integrating restorative justice practices that include collaboration with the District Attorney’s Community Conferencing Program and Impact Community Offense Alerts for drug and gun crimes in Milwaukee County.
VISTAs will work with grantee agencies, community organizers and collaborating agencies to identify the key elements of localized projects which have brought success. They will then further develop models which can be sustainably replicated across our 21 targeted neighborhoods. VISTAs will conceptualize, develop, adapt, and refine approaches, then implement, test and measure outcomes. Models that prove successful meeting the crime and violence reduction goals of Safe & Sound will be promoted through a variety of media.
Everyone left the luncheon with a sense of purpose after the inspiring words of Rep. Moore. Moreover, the energetic smiles of new staff just beginning their service and those going off to new challenges instilled a renewed enthusiasm for all of the staff at Safe & Sound. It is an historic and exciting time for national service in our country and we are very pleased Safe & Sound can contribute and be a part.
