By Zak Mitchell, FNSB Library '19-20Beginning in January 2020, two recipients will receive a Library Foundation scholarship that completely pays for GED education at the Literacy Council of Alaska. The award will be offered biannually. If you or someone you know are interested, please contact Zakeya Mitchell at zakeya.mitchell@fnsb.us. By Zak Mitchell, FNSB Library '19-20
I am currently an AmeriCorps VISTA serving in the Interior here in Fairbanks, Alaska. Myself and the other 5 VISTAs were invited to Los Angeles, California for an all-expenses paid In-Service Training for 3 ½ days, food included.
Wahoo! I’ll admit that invitation didn’t catch my attention until they mentioned food. Now I’m dedicated to the cause because they have showed me they are dedicated to my appetite. Day 1 : Salutations I arrived at LAX around 4ish, I don’t believe in checking luggage for trips that last less than 2 weeks so I carried all of my belongings. I got to the hotel roughly 15 minutes away from the airport and checked in. I went to my room with the intention to relax, but was startled by my roommate taking a shower so I just put my things down and went wandering about looking for my cohort friends. I couldn’t find them, so I sat at a table full of strangers. All of us were from someplace different but found much common ground when we gathered the courage to talk to one another. Day 2: Making the Most of Your VISTA Service Training began promptly at 8:30 am, the only bummer was, we weren’t allowed to take breakfast out of the dining hall. My newly acquainted roommate and I obviously overslept and rushed downstairs to munch on a warm meal as quickly as possible. They separated us into groups based on colors predesignated on our name tags; I was in the red group. Of course I was: I’m bold, daring, radiant, primary - pun intended. [Insert laughter here.] Pardon me while I gas myself up. Our first class of the day was ‘Making the Most of Your VISTA Service’.
Day 3 : Serve and Thrive: Resilience as a VISTA
We were asked to write three words to describe ourselves on the first day. My first word was sensitive. When people meet me, they develop a synopsis based on the way I dress, my nonverbal communication and word choice in conversation, if they can catch me speaking. These things help them postulate who they think I am. It is rare that someone is 100% accurate, and most people never gather how empathetic I am until a koala is burned in an Austrailian forest fire and they see me crying at my desk. Nevertheless, as an empath I’ve had to learn the hard lesson of exercising emotional boundaries. This class, lead by a wonderful woman named Shoshanna, taught us techniques to prevent what many experience at the DMV called compassion fatigue. It’s when someone is in a position to assist another, but does not appear to have any empathy in an environment where empathy should be abundant. I am certain we have all experienced a person who has been anything but compassionate about a situation we thought was dire. It doesn’t feel good, and without properly separating yourself from your clients or your taxing daily tasks, anyone can be lead down a road of being unapologetically indifferent. So, how is that prevented? Take a walk, practice deep breathing exercises, punch a gnome, anything positive that relieves the stress. 
Day 4 : Last Day of Training
I am always sad when something is over. Each moment feels like water rising until I’m completely engulfed and there is no more air to gasp. I guess I’m a little anxious when change is lurking. And our last day was everything I expected, sappy, in a good way. Acknowledgements and final remarks about the days prior, moments where we shared our thoughts in conjunction with our expectations on the first day. Goodbyes. My philosophy is when good people with common denominators get together, it somehow feels familiar and that should be embraced. I embraced it; and I have yet to regret that choice. By Kelsey Snyder, Thrivalaska VISTA '19-20
Serving as the Development Coordinator at Thrivalaska involves a lot of outreach to the community including creating relationships with donors and companies. I recently submitted a grant to Wells Fargo to help my host site complete a re-flooring project at our thread Resource and Referral building. One of the main goals for my year of service is to help my site see visible growth in their ability to reach out to companies and individuals in the community for project and program support.
While the flooring project may not be seen as a dire need project, many families come to our organization looking for resources and we want to ensure they feel welcomed and comfortable while getting the help they need. We have used grants as an opportunity to gain funds for projects in the past such as new internet servers or other building updates in the classrooms. If approved for grant funds, you must use the funds given specifically for the project you had listed in your application.
My time writing the grant involved a lot of collaboration with my administration offices. I had to learn about the demographics our non-profit serves, and generate specific numbers to show the application board why our target population was in need. Writing this grant was a very useful way for me to practice painting a full picture of what my site does and the true difference it makes in our community. The process began with creating an organization profile, simple information based on location and contact addresses. The large portion of the grant itself is the project proposal. You begin with funding purpose and describe what project you need funding provided. Many grant applications ask if there is a benefit to the company such as mention in a newsletter, daily paper, or on your website. This specific grant asked for information on how many low to moderate income group individuals you serve throughout the organization. Finally, you talk specifically about your organizations goals and accomplishments. This is where you get the opportunity to show the company why your program matters in your community! After collaborating with my Executive Director and get approval to submit my proposal, we were told to expect our application to be reviewed within 45 days. Around a month and half after submitting our initial proposal to Wells Fargo, we were fortunate to receive an email letting us know that our grant has been approved! The email explained how we could expect a check in the mail within the next 8 weeks. As a non-profit, these application approvals are big victories! 
In July, Ken Miller of Denali FSP Fundraising Consultants presented a fundraising seminar to the Fairbanks VISTA program.
What it's like being on the other side?
By Vicki Slobodyanik, Love INC. VISTA '19-20 
The Fairbanks Reentry Coalition held a Reentry Simulation that I was able to be a part of. It was a very good opportunity to experience the life of someone who was incarcerated and is reentering society.
Hydroponics in Anchorage and Racing to Build a Grow Tower
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We headed out to Alaska Seeds of Change where we were met by Sara Renard, the AKSoC staff coordinator. We stopped to discuss the successes and challenges of both AKSoC and the project I am working on, the Fairbanks Urban Hydroponic Farm (FUHF), and offered each other advice on methods of best practice.
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After our mini problem-solving brainstorm, Sara took us on a tour of the facility. We saw the youth services room featuring a take-what-you-need closet, full access kitchen, and mental health counseling room. Then we moved into the greenhouse where we walked through rows of hydroponic towers and tasted lettuce and herbs. After exchanging business cards, we said our goodbyes. Mel and I were off to prepare for our workshop!
The next day started early as Mel and I headed over to the Z. J. Loussac Public Library to set up for the workshop. Our students for the day, all teachers by trade, arrived at nine and we got right into the hydroponics education. Mel took them through a PowerPoint to teach them all about gardening in the classroom, from soil fertilization to which types of seeds will grow best. Just before lunch we got up on our feet and explored different interactive stations, each with an easy classroom activity the teachers could do with their own students. Then after lunch, it was all hands on deck to build a seven foot tall hydroponic grow tower.
The next day started early as Mel and I headed over to the Z. J. Loussac Public Library to set up for the workshop. Our students for the day, all teachers by trade, arrived at nine and we got right into the hydroponics education. Mel took them through a PowerPoint to teach them all about gardening in the classroom, from soil fertilization to which types of seeds will grow best. Just before lunch we got up on our feet and explored different interactive stations, each with an easy classroom activity the teachers could do with their own students. Then after lunch, it was all hands on deck to build a seven foot tall hydroponic grow tower.
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With power drills out and at the ready, instruction packets in hand, and disassembled buckets, pipes, and screws scattered around the floor we were given a challenge: build the tower in 1.5 hours, beat the previous workshop’s record and someone will get to take the grow tower home. With our deadline looming in the near future, we rushed into action, naturally splitting into groups to tackle different aspects of the tower. I got to work helping with the sump basin, which is the foundation of the tower and holds all the water.
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While working I was able to chat with some of the teachers about the challenges they face in their schools, most of which had to do with funding. We also talked about how much their students love having green plants in the room. Teachers commented that it calms their students, helps them focus, teaches them how to be kind and caring and keeps them interested in coming to class because they want to see their plants. After an hour and a half, almost to the minute, we shouted success! With the grow tower standing tall and complete, we took off our protective eye wear and called it a (great) day.
By Ashton Varner, VISTA Team Leader '19-20
The 2019 Community Needs Drive was even bigger than 2018! We owe our success to our team and so many other community members.
Thank you to Love In the Name of Christ of the Tanana Valley for hosting our event, even though you had only recently moved into your location. Thank you to The Salvation Army - Fairbanks Corps for providing hot drinks, bottled water and snacks for our volunteers and donors.
Thank you to Love In the Name of Christ of the Tanana Valley for hosting our event, even though you had only recently moved into your location. Thank you to The Salvation Army - Fairbanks Corps for providing hot drinks, bottled water and snacks for our volunteers and donors.
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Thank you to our 6 VISTAs who took ownership of this project, both pre-event and day-of. Thank you to our 3 volunteers from HOPE worldwide who came in and immediately started sorting before I could even host volunteer orientation.
Thank you to four personal friends who donated what time they had: Ellen Hughes for your encouragement, calming nature & my favorite coffee order, Sarah Seifert for bringing experience and setting an example for our new folks, Melissa Prince for tackling and wrapping up several smaller projects & Christine Charron for spur-of-the-moment deliveries. |
Thank you to everyone who helped me promote this event: Julie Doll who passed out flyers in parts of the community that are hard for me to reach such as military bases and Salcha, Rob Prince of KFBX 970 for having us on morning radio, Cheryl Upshaw for the fantastic piece in the Daily News-Miner and Andrew Hawkins at News 11 for helping us make the 7 o’clock news.
Thank you to the donors who brought bags, boxes and totes full of items.
95% of our requests were filled and some donations came all the way from Nenana!
Thank you to the 10 local non-profit agencies who participated and allowed us to serve them through this event. We appreciate the work you do in our community all year round.
95% of our requests were filled and some donations came all the way from Nenana!
Thank you to the 10 local non-profit agencies who participated and allowed us to serve them through this event. We appreciate the work you do in our community all year round.
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Boys & Girls ClubThe BGC requested games, sports equipment and toys for their after-school programs.
We received bags, boxes and totes full of sports balls, rackets, board games and puzzles! |
Fairbanks Native Association
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Bread Line Inc. Bread Line needed clothes, coats, socks,
gloves and winter hats in all adult sizes to serve over 100 people who stop in daily for breakfast. At the end of the day, we had more for them than they could handle - a problem we don't mind having! |
Fairbanks Rescue MissionThe Rescue Mission requested clothing,
shoes & socks in all sizes but were most excited about toiletries - travel size toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners & lotions, deodorants, razors & toothbrushes. We ended up making at least 4 separate runs to FRM with donated goods. When they reopen their clothing closet, it will be stacked to the ceiling! |
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Interior Alaska Center
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ThrivalaskaThrivalaska requested a ton of children's items for their Headstart Birth to 5 program, varying from clothing & toys to strollers & high chairs.
Once again, the community met this need with toys, children's clothing & baby gates galore! |
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Fairbanks Reentry CoalitionThe Reentry Coalition asked for
professional clothing as well as homegoods for their clients reentering the community post-incarceration. We delivered at least four times to them as well! With all those clothes, it will be much easier for their employment specialists to outfit their clients for job interviews. |
Love INC of the Tanana ValleyLike last year, Love INC asked for furniture, in particular dressers & box springs. They also requested twin sheets, household cleaning supplies and reusable shopping bags.
We received a bit of furniture, sets of pots & pans & a bunch of reusable shopping bags, which Love INC families will use when picking up their items. |
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LION's Den
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If you are still interested in donating, please see our list of requested items, contact the agencies directly and ask if they still need specific items.
See you next year!
Zak will serve Fairbanks from September 3, 2019-September 1, 2020. Year-long VISTAs perform indirect service focusing on capacity building. Stay tuned for updates as their year progresses!
Zakeya Mitchell,
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AGENCY: ACCESS ALASKA
AGENCY: ALASKA COALITION ON HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
AGENCY: BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
AGENCY: BREAD LINE INC.
AGENCY: FBX CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
AGENCY: FBX HOUSING & HOMELESS COALITION
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AGENCY: FBX SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
AGENCY: FBX WELLNESS COALITION
AGENCY: FBX YOUTH ADVOCATES
AGENCY: INTERIOR ALASKA CENTER FOR NON-VIOLENT LIVING
AGENCY: JP JONES CENTER
AGENCY: LION'S DEN
AGENCY: LOVE INC
AGENCY: NORTHERN HOPE CENTER
AGENCY: NORTH STAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
AGENCY: RESTORE INC
AGENCY: SALVATION ARMY
AGENCY: TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE
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AGENCY: UNITED WAY
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AUTHOR: SHEA BRENNEMAN
AUTHOR: TARYN WILLIAMS
AUTHOR: TESSA HOLMES
AUTHOR: VICKI SLOBODYANIK
AUTHOR: ZAK MITCHELL
EVENT: COMMUNITY NEEDS DRIVE
EVENT: IN-SERVICE TRAINING
EVENT: PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT
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