2020 - 2021 AmeriCorps VISTAs

​Jessica Foreman​

Project Management Assistant at the City of Phoenix Housing Department

Jessica served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department, where she supported community outreach and engagement activities for the Choice Neighborhoods Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Jessica headed the community garden programs and former GR:D Bike programs, assisted in the management, reporting, and application of grants, provided support to new and existing community groups, and leveraged resources that promote community leadership within the Choice Neighborhoods focus area. At the end of her Year of Service, Jessica joined the City of Phoenix Housing Department as a Project Management Assistant, where she supports the housing opportunities for the Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs and manages the Open Doors Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program.

Lauren Slim

Engineering Technician​ at the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department

Lauren served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Mayor's Office. Lauren worked with Arizona at Work in preparing the hybrid summer employment program and proposed a program that recognized small businesses in the City of Phoenix for their efforts and opportunities. As part of the Mayor's Birthday Book Club, Lauren sent out books to participants monthly, along with working in partnership with other departments to create a map to see where they​ received the most participation with the intent to serve more in the future. At the end of her service, Lauren joined the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department as an Engineering Tech, where she serves as staff support to development teams by tracking projects status and serving as a liaison between the customer and plans review and inspection staff. 

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​​Karen Ibarra

Karen served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs. During her year of service, Karen assisted in the coordination of two Phoenix Food Day drive-thru events. They successfully served more than 4,000 individuals and families with food boxes, goody bags, seed starting kits, and healthy recipes. Additionally, she assisted with the development of the Phoenix Backyard Garden Program. A program that is to provide free gardening systems and training to 90 Phoenix residents in specific planning villages in South and West Phoenix.

Brianna Williams

Volunteer Facilitator at the City of Phoenix Volunteer PHX Office 

Brianna served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps Vista with the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability. Brianna was instrumental in working on the Citizen Forester Program, We're Cool Heat Relief Outreach, and Cool Roof Policy Development. Through her service, Brianna was able to assist in the planning process for a Regional Citizen Forester Program, distribute and educate community members on heat relief resources throughout Phoenix and compile information to further develop Cool Roofs in Phoenix. Brianna worked to create advocates within the Phoenix communities. At the end of her Year of Service, Brianna joined the City of Phoenix Volunteer PHX Office as a Volunteer Facilitator, where she assists in coordinating and overseeing the volunteer projects and programs.

Nash Allen

Community Worker at the City of Phoenix Housing Department

Nash served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department's ConnectHome Program. During his year of service, Nash worked with the ConnectHome program to distribute 800 tablets to seniors living in the City's public housing properties. He also created digital literacy training materials for senior residents who received a tablet through ConnectHome, such as a senior tablet user guide, a training presentation on cyber security, and tutorial videos on how to use Zoom. In addition, he helped the Housing Department apply for grant funding to develop a digital literacy training program for senior public housing residents. After his Year of Service Nash joined the City of Phoenix Housing Department as a Community Worker, where he helps organize and supervise the afterschool program for youth living at Aeroterra.

​​Nancy Preston

Nancy served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Nancy helped develop the Resilient Phoenix workshop to include access and functional needs, to ensure emergency preparedness with the Phoenix Community. She assisted with the City of Phoenix emergency operations plans and assisting with the city's COVID-19 efforts, such as live-virus testing site logistics and the supply and distribution of personal protective equipment to school districts. 

​​Florence Luna

Florence served as a Serve NYC AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department's ConnectHome Program. During her year of service, she assisted with bringing devices ​to residents in the affordable housing communities and getting them connected to the internet. Florence worked to bring resources into vulnerable communities, to help enhance quality of life.