My name is Jefflyne Fitts and I am the new CHPT VISTA! As everyone starts to return back to school or work, I just wanted to take the time to properly introduce myself.
I am a native to the Golden State. Specifically, I was born and raised in the city of Bakersfield. Afterwards, I attended the University of California, Merced. While I was there, I was able to get involved in several organizations that made my college experience even more fulfilling. I joined a sorority that was not only dedicated to providing books to children who had none but also supported victims of violence and abuse. For three years, I mentored local high school students. I provided them with resources to pursue their dreams as well as inform them more about the social problems that society faces. I even had the opportunity to be a Resident Assistant for two and a half years where connected with both on campus freshman and upperclassmen alike.
As the end of summer and my last semester at my alma mater quickly approached, I began to seriously think on where I wanted to go. I knew the opportunities in my hometown were limited and even more so in the topics I was interested in. Then I remembered what one of my professors recommended to me: look into being an AmeriCORPS VISTA. After doing a little research on the organization and the benefits to being a VISTA, I decided that it would be the perfect stepping stone for me. Furthermore, the goal of the organization: the eradication of poverty through community empowerment and capacity building resonated with me because I am too aware of the disparities between and within communities. Thus, I applied to a multitude of programs throughout California that focused on building healthy communities.
What attracted me to CHPT and why I ultimately chose to spend my term here in Sacramento was the Resource Desk. I had never heard of such a project before! I thought it was really cool how volunteers actively worked with community members to help them solve their problems that could have an impact on their health or the health of their family. I felt this model is very empowering as well because every person that is helped by the Resource Desk can use the knowledge gained to help someone else along the line. I was also drawn to CHPT because I felt that community it serves is very diverse. Lastly, I wanted to work with volunteers again because I had enjoyed it during college. The nonprofit landscape of the capital and the coffee scene were also great perks I didn’t want to pass up.
I’m excited to see the progress of the Resource Desk and the other CHPT projects this year and I’m so ecstatic that I get to be a part of the process! Please, keep your eyes peeled for news about all the work we do as well as opportunities to get involved.
- Jefflyne
I am a native to the Golden State. Specifically, I was born and raised in the city of Bakersfield. Afterwards, I attended the University of California, Merced. While I was there, I was able to get involved in several organizations that made my college experience even more fulfilling. I joined a sorority that was not only dedicated to providing books to children who had none but also supported victims of violence and abuse. For three years, I mentored local high school students. I provided them with resources to pursue their dreams as well as inform them more about the social problems that society faces. I even had the opportunity to be a Resident Assistant for two and a half years where connected with both on campus freshman and upperclassmen alike.
As the end of summer and my last semester at my alma mater quickly approached, I began to seriously think on where I wanted to go. I knew the opportunities in my hometown were limited and even more so in the topics I was interested in. Then I remembered what one of my professors recommended to me: look into being an AmeriCORPS VISTA. After doing a little research on the organization and the benefits to being a VISTA, I decided that it would be the perfect stepping stone for me. Furthermore, the goal of the organization: the eradication of poverty through community empowerment and capacity building resonated with me because I am too aware of the disparities between and within communities. Thus, I applied to a multitude of programs throughout California that focused on building healthy communities.
What attracted me to CHPT and why I ultimately chose to spend my term here in Sacramento was the Resource Desk. I had never heard of such a project before! I thought it was really cool how volunteers actively worked with community members to help them solve their problems that could have an impact on their health or the health of their family. I felt this model is very empowering as well because every person that is helped by the Resource Desk can use the knowledge gained to help someone else along the line. I was also drawn to CHPT because I felt that community it serves is very diverse. Lastly, I wanted to work with volunteers again because I had enjoyed it during college. The nonprofit landscape of the capital and the coffee scene were also great perks I didn’t want to pass up.
I’m excited to see the progress of the Resource Desk and the other CHPT projects this year and I’m so ecstatic that I get to be a part of the process! Please, keep your eyes peeled for news about all the work we do as well as opportunities to get involved.
- Jefflyne
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