My last VISTA day

Santa Monica's air is crisp and clear today. Happily, that's how my head feels. Looking back on my accomplishments (and struggles) of the past year, I'm pleased with the work I've done and the knowledge I've gained. My VISTA year has given me so many opportunities and experiences for which I am grateful.

Helping to build a Web site from the ground up, engaging with an activist community using Web tools and learning about policy and advocacy work from a firsthand perspective were valuable experiences and helped me shape my vision for the future and decide what I want my place in the world to be.

I had challenges too, both technical ones (CivicSpace is tricky) and real life ones (Food Stamps can be hard to get), but perhaps what matters more than what I've done is where I'm going to go with the insight I've gained.

I've recently accepted a full-time staff position here at The Children's Partnership as the technology program associate and will continue to work on children's access to technology. My position will end in late August when I leave for New York to pursue a master's in urban policy analysis and management. I cannot overstate how pricipal my service year was as an enabliing step toward achieving larger goals. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me and shared their expertise. It's been real.

Comment from Julia Smith on March 5, 2007 - 8:11pm

I wish you much success in the future.