who am I and where am I going?

[marathoner452]

Judy just told me that I won't be here next year, not through my VISTA program anyway. They didn't give my chapter enough warning to build the cost-sharing into their budget. I might be able to work things out with Volunteer Maryland, as they sometimes place AmeriCorps people at Red Cross chapters, so that's a possibility. So is finding another local AmeriCorps program to work for. I'm not ready to go out into the "real world" just yet, and I don't have enough money for grad school. If I work another year in AmeriCorps I'll have $9500 to go to school, plus whatever I can save.

The possibility that really intrigues me is another AmeriCorps term...down on the Gulf Coast. Talk about doing AmeriCorps the way it was intended. Talk about a challenge. Talk about continuing the most incredible experience of my life (my 3 week New Orleans deployment) forward and really getting my hands dirty. Talk about needing to be flexible and turn on a dime (and give a nickel back, as Emily says). I thought I had my life planned out for the next year and a half. Now it turns out in 3 months everything's up in the air.

I do know that AmeriCorps has spoiled me for life for anything but community service.

*researches AmeriCorps positions in Mississippi and Louisiana*

~Bethany

Comments

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

My mom worries too much too, but somehow I've managed to convince her that I'm going to do what I want to do anyway, so long as it's good stuff that I feel drawn to. Like service stuff in NOLA. It will change you for the better, I know it will.

Two things though-get a tetanus shot and bring allergy meds (Alavert is my favorite; Benadryl does nothing for me). All that 9 month old mold is going to make you sick. At least we'll be able to wear masks and we won't be living in the "Black Mold Motel."

~Bethany

[ratkrycek.livejournal.com]

I'll call my doctor's office right now. Thanks! :)

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I'm applying for AmeriCorps positions down there, as well as inquiring further about the NPRC in Baltimore.

In the meantime I'll keep hassling whoever I can about possibilities for me to stay here, and I'll work on tying up loose ends just in case. On the plus side, one of my dedicated CDE volunteers called this morning, and when I told her the news she offered to keep giving presentations to at least the two YMCA programs she's worked with since January. All I need to do is make her her own notebook full of presentation notes and worksheets and such. Hopefully I can get my other CDE volunteers to commit to doing that too.

~Bethany