2021-2022 AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni

Kailey Mullis

Administrative Assistant at the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs

Kailey served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the Office of Environmental Progr​ams on the Food Systems Team. During her year of service, Kailey served as the lead coordinator of annual Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest event at the community farm incubator, Spaces of Opportunity, and the Lassen Elementary School, in South Phoenix. With the help from over 10 community events partners, Food Day and Healthfest promoted over 40 local vendors supporting local food and health resources, had live performances from from local talent, a farmer's market with free produce, free baby shots and vaccines, live cooking demos, kid activities, and more. Aside from Food day, Kailey served as the lead coordinator of Phoenix: Let's Eat Local! which is the City's first ever campaign dedicated to connecting residents with our local food system. The campaign launched in February 2023. Additionally, she assisted the team in carrying out the Phoenix Backyard Garden program and Food System Transformation grants.  At the end of her service, Kailey joined the Food Systems team as an Administrative Assistant and will continue to work on the projects mentioned above. 

 Jonathan Simon

Senior Caseworker at the City of Phoenix​ Housing Department 

Jonathan served as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Housing Supportive Services stationed at the Aeroterra Community Center. He helped with community engagement and capacity building efforts to following the easement of COVID restrictions. Jonathan had the opportunity to help organize ​events in the Edison-Eastlake area, support community groups, build partner committees, secure donations, help develop the Aeroterra after-school summer program and monthly food pantries, and so much more. At the end of my service year, he took two positions: one at Aeroterra as a Senior Caseworker and Service Coordinator, and the other at Monroe Gardens working in Digital Navigation. 

​Emma Collins

Planner I at the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office

Emma served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the Office of Sustainability. Emma worked to facilitate and expand the Student Council Sustainability Officers program (SCSO). Through her service Emma was able to assist in expanding SCSO into the Tempe Union High School District and Mesa Public School District, oversee monthly SCSO meetings, coordinate the annual Sustainability Challenge engaging 2500 students in sustainable fashion education, and assist in the outreach campaign for the Electric Vehicle Roadmap community input survey. At the end of her year of service Emma joined the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office as a Planner 1 where she coordinated the demolition approval process and assists in design review approvals for historic properties. 

​​Ashley Kate Norman 

Kate served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the Workforce Development Division developing a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Plan. Through her service Kate was able to help better serve marginalized communities around the area of workforce and employment. She was also helpful in launching the Mobile Career Unit as part of the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge. At the completion of her year of service, Kate moved to Tucson to serve another year of Service as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader. 

Holley Fulgham