In the second month of their year of service, the VISTAs finished up their organizing orientation, consisting of two months of intensive training. Topics covered this month included door knocking, conflict in movement spaces, facilitations, renters rights meetings, designing accessible events, and using art and storytelling in organizing. Check out the VISTA Members’ individual highlights to learn more.
October Highlights
- Austin: My October highlights was attending zAmya Theater Project’s performance of “A Prairie Homeless Companion.” The play, and zAmya itself, are incredible demonstrations of narrative power in action. It was truly inspiring to experience firsthand, as it reaffirmed my belief that this work is transformative and meaningful.
- Isa: The Undoing Racism Workshop I got the chance to be apart of really opened my eyes. I’m grateful to have more tools in my box now.
- Lucid: My highlight is making systems and templates for doorknocking because I know they will help so much in the long run!
- Hannah: My highlight of the month was Phillips West Neighborhood Organization’s Annual Board Election and Fall Festival!
- Colton: I really liked when we got to go into Ricardo Levins Morales shop and see all of the paintings and participate in activities like making a collage. It was a very relaxing and artistic experience!
- Ramia: In October, an especially memorable experience for me was participating in the Youth Anti-Racism Coalition workshop. This event provided an opportunity for both my children and myself to gain significant insights into many concepts such as privilege, race, class, racism, prejudice, and power. Ultimately, my family and I hope to cultivate effective measures in our communities by participating in, actively contributing to, and organizing additional workshops geared at building an understanding of leadership development. Session 12’s focus on visioning and exploring possibilities with Ricardo Levins, a gifted individual with profound talent in utilizing art platforms to develop novel approaches for supporting and raising awareness about causes, and thereby fostering impactful social movements, was highly beneficial and awakening experience for me. My aspiration is to collaborate with Ricardo and create a significant piece of artwork that powerfully conveys the fundamental principles of tenant organizing to the community.
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