UMKC’s Social Justice AmeriCorps VISTA members work each day with nonprofits that address our city’s most pressing needs. The VISTA members work with the CAFE team and faculty to translate community needs into student experiential learning projects.
Since 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members have been fighting against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. Nationwide, VISTA members fundraise, write grants, research and manage volunteers. Serving as a VISTA provides members with experience and leadership skill development and prepares them for service in the public, private or nonprofit sector.
“I’m Jess, and I believe in actionable change, jumping in and getting to work.
My favorite book is 
Meridian by Alice Walker, and it follows the journey of a young activist as she finds her power and place in activist movements shortly after the Civil Rights Movement began to lose momentum. My key takeaway from the story is that change starts at home. The place you can do the most good is right where you are. I love the opportunity the VISTA Program has given me to be a part of my community and a part of this organization’s growth. Beyond that, it is exciting to know that there are thousands of VISTA’s all over the country serving their communities and contributing to the betterment of our society”.
The organization where Jess is serving is KC Mothers in Charge, an organization dedicated to reducing violent crime in Kansas City through prevention, education and intervention, while also guiding and supporting the families of victims. Jess says, “This organization is small but mighty, run by three amazing women whom I love working with and getting to know. I’m in awe of how much they balance. I am quickly learning the key to the success of any organization is community support and an engaged volunteer base.”
More about KC Mothers in Charge Founded in 2014, the organization has always had a small staff with a big mission. While the organization has been fortunate to have a lot of support for their work, they understand the importance of community buy-in and participation in working to provide solutions for the community-wide problem of violent crime and homicide. KC Mothers in Charge touches the community through canvassing, providing trauma-informed crisis intervention in the aftermath of homicide, and tending to clients in need at support group sessions. The organization is staffed by capable people who carry out the mission every day—but there is only so much ground that they can cover as a staff of three.
How UMKC can help: Currently, engaging a robust and sustainable volunteer base is a top priority for the organization. KC Mothers in Charge also needs assistance leading workshops on trauma informed care and on networking and communication skills.
Skye is currently a graduate student and a recent alum at UMKC, where she
earned her BA in English and 
Gender Studies. While an undergraduate student she says, “I took a liking to women's issues and the social movements, and that's what led me into the policy side of things. I {also} took an international law class my senior year and that {class} launched me into human rights. I did not even really consider how {all of these experiences} played a part into what my future career would be or what my future goals in my career would be. I definitely credit most of my education towards where I’m at now. Through these experiences, I hope someday that I can write compelling arguments for advocacy and issues that need to be better amplified. I feel like my opportunity as a VISTA will definitely contribute to that goal.”
About Newhouse: Newhouse is Kansas City's first domestic violence shelter, founded in 1971. They meet the unique needs of survivors and reverse the impacts of trauma. Their ecosystem of services shatters the barriers that feed the cycle of abuse and empower survivors to achieve safety, self-sufficiency, and whole person healing. Skye also highlighted that Newhouse is unique, that they have a whole area for childcare and children's education. Currently, they’re incorporating a sensory gym for kids to build sensory skills, a nursery area, a classroom for small children, as well as a learning section for high-school-aged youth.
Info about the AmeriCorps VISTA role: Skye has committed to yearlong service at Newhouse as their Community Engaged Social Justice VISTA. Skye’s role at Newhouse will be to help ensure their interns are having a great experience, build partnerships and relationships with UMKC faculty, staff, and students, as well as community organizations in Kansas City.
How you can help: During the Holidays, Newhouse has a donation program called Holiday Boutique. This helps residents' shop for gifts and other needs for their families free of charge. Currently, Newhouse is accepting new, unwrapped items for kids: toys, books, clothing, pj's, and art supplies. OR new, unwrapped items for adults: self-care items, gift cards under $20, money to purchase gifts, pjs, robes, slippers, socks, blankets, purses, or other gifts. Donations are needed by December 15. To coordinate pickup/drop off: contact Karena Jensen at Karena@newhousekc.org.