ALUMNNI

APO Alumna Nicole Karlson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has found the way to extend and continue the humanitarian and leadership goals of Alpha Phi Omega. As a member of Omicron Upsilon at West Chester University, she served as Historian, Pledge Educator, and VP of Social Activities. While pursuing her academic goal of becoming a certified teacher, majoring in literature, she was also defining her desire to pursue professional work that would be a carryover of APO's commitment to Leadership, Friendship, and particularly to Service. "My life had to be directed toward service, " Nicole says. She was also up for some exciting adventures, having spent her junior year studying in Wales, and then back home, working for a time in Harlem and the boroughs in New York City. After graduation, she discovered that a national service organization called AmeriCorps*VISTA offered a program that was very exciting. It was an excellent opportunity to continue living the APO principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service.

While the one year commitment to becoming an AmeriCorps*VISTA member is not a "Paid" working position, it offers real benefits. No matter what your major is, there is a program in service to build your skills, networking connections, and above all, the sense that you are making a worthwhile contribution to individuals and community. AmeriCorps*VISTA members receive a modest living allowance and after a year's service, a $4,725 educational award to help pay off student loans. This award is renewable after another year's service.

APO activities prepared Nicole for the kinds of programs she initiated in her first year with AmeriCorps* VISTA. "It was the best year of my life," she enthuses. She went into school districts and created service programs that helped students serve as they learned. Everything from walking dogs for the Humane Society to selling daffodils for the American Cancer Society and preparing food baskets for the needy. "We have a saying in VISTA that you work yourself out of a job" Karlson says, by which she means that the programs put in place by members are designed to continue on their own. "This empowers the community members to help themselves, and the flow of energy keeps going into the community."

Nicole is presently working for the Corporation for National Service, Pennsylvania state office, located outside Philadelphia, with I responsibilities for the National Senior Service Corps and the VISTA programs in Pennsylvania. She recommends those interested in learning more about the rewarding programs available with AmeriCorps*VISTA to call 1-800-942-2677, or contact the state office for Vista in your area.

AS AN AmeriCorps MEMBER, YOU MIGHT HELP..

• Tutor teens or lead elementary school children in community service activities
• Assist crime victims or walk the beat with community police officers
• Recruit and train volunteers
• Renovate low-income housing
• Help homebound seniors and people with disabilities
• Restore national parks and coastlines
• Develop community health care programs