Welcome, AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Program (VIP) members, Isabella Martinez and Simone Barnard! After a collaborative interview with Isabella and Simone, I gained an understanding of their goals concerning community partnerships and their hopes for the future of these relationships. Simone and Isabella are both Sonoma State alumni and are happy to be back to serve their fellow Seawolves and the community. With many organizations still ramping back up after the effects of the pandemic, these volunteer recruiters are ready to see what new opportunities will arise for the students, their families, and Sonoma County.
Isabella and Simone spend one day a week on campus and four days a week at our community partner site, Common Ground Society, serving as the points of contact for students or community members looking to participate with organizations like CGS. Common Ground Society is a nonprofit organization that was founded by "Just Two Moms" trying to make a difference in their community. CGS provides support to families who receive any life-changing diagnosis for their child varying diagnoses from common diagnoses like Down Syndrome, Autism, and birth complications to other rare conditions. These two VIPs will work together through the Center of Community Engagement on campus to ensure community partnerships between students and communities are cherished and long-lasting even after their time here is up. AmeriCorps VIPs volunteer at existing nonprofits, government agencies, and schools that serve children, youth, and families alike.
“I didn't see myself coming back on campus this soon,” said Simone. “The partnerships and the relationships we make here are the legacy.” Both the VIPs explained throughout the interview that they wished they had taken advantage of the unique opportunities that were offered by SSU when they were still enrolled. The VIPs say that some different organizations and events would be very helpful to students if they searched for them. “We've been trying to find our place as recruiters, whether it be through organizations or the students we've been engaging with,” says Isabella
Simone and Bella work as the bridge between many different organizations, including Common Ground Society. “We first focused on younger individuals but now we have different pillars of what we focus on like the caregivers, the loved ones, educating the public on these inclusive efforts, and so on,” says Isabella. Being that Isabella and Simone mostly partner with nonprofit organizations, they interact with much younger groups of students with a variety of needs. “We want to grow with them. As these individuals go on in their lives we want to continue to value those relationships and change with them. Sometimes there’s not enough support for people with unique needs and partnerships like Common Ground are constantly making efforts to be inclusive.” says Simone. The VIPs then emphasize the importance of maintaining these connections and the benefits for the students involved, such as communication, inclusivity, and worthwhile local-based events and activities.
Simone goes on to mention her lasting relationships with professors and other faculty here at SSU and how these relationships assist them in networking to establish new relationships along the way. “It isn't hard to get connected and most people want to get involved.” With these connections, it helps the VIPs stay in touch with their fellow Seawolves while contributing to the future of their community.
You can get in touch with these two awesome VIPs at isabella.americorps.commonground@gmail.com and sbarnard.vip@gmail.com
Be sure to also look at Common Ground's official website to see their services and contributions to the community.
Another big welcome to Isabella and Simone!