I think my inspiration for wanting to join VISTA came from two sources, 1) President John F. Kennedy, who encouraged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country" and 2) being rejected by the Peace Corps.

A Story From The Far Side

Like many people of my generation, I was concerned about the less fortunate of our country, and Pres. Kennedy's message struck a cord. After graduating from high school in 1965, I worked in several jobs, feeling unfulfilled. I decided I needed a skill and attended nursing school. Prior to graduation, I applied to VISTA and was accepted almost immediately.

Three months later I found myself leaving home (for the first time) and heading to Boston for training and assignment. A week later I was headed for Vermont (in February, brrr!). My original assignment was to work in the area of Drug Education (circa 1971). As the Gods of Government and the Goddess of Fate would have it, our agency was unable to receive the necessary funding. Fortunately anti-poverty work affords continued opportunities, and I found myself in a town (rural) of 1900 people working with the teens, attempting to establish a "hangout" for them. Once that project got rolling, yet another opportunity presented itself--the need for a Health Coordinator for Head Start. It was here I would work for the next 2 1/2 years.

Rude Awakenings

After my last morning of training, my VISTA trainer and I headed to Vermont. Since it was night when we arrived, I stayed at my trainer's home, which, much to my surprise, had no indoor heating--just a large pot-bellied stove in the living room! (Ah, February in Vermont!) The next day, I was told that as part of my training I would have to live with a low-income family.

I was invited to live with Lou, Doris, and their six children. "Where was my room?" you ask. It was in the hallway, between the bedrooms and "furnished" with a sway-back bed. (Fortunately) this was short lived. Several days later, I found myself living with an elderly couple, five miles from town. It was here my true mettle was tested. Because their home was old, it had no indoor plumbing or heating! It did, however, have a great outhouse, a large wood-burning stove in the kitchen, and a pot-bellied stove in the living room. In my bedroom, in lieu of modern heating, were stacks of quilts on my bed, and a chamber pot beside it. (Vermont in February!!) After my first night, I realized if I could get through this experience, then anything was possible.

The Vista Experience

Being a VISTA was, unequivocally, the best experience I've ever had and the best part of my life. As a young Catholic woman, compassion, caring, and empathy were strong desires I needed to fulfill, at the time. When I learned about the purposes, objectives and goals of VISTA and the Peace Corps, I intuitively knew that I had to be part of this new approach to making the world a better place. I also credit my desire to join VISTA with motivating me and helping me realize my dream of becoming a nurse, an L.P.N.

Working as the Health Coordinator of Head Start enabled me to utilize my nursing background in ways I would have never dreamed of and in an environment where only "the strong survive." Most importantly, people were helped and lives were changed for the better, in some small way.

By joining VISTA, I found myself coming into contact with people, places and situations, that were far-removed from my middle-class lifestyle, and who provided me with an education that cannot be found in school or books, and changed my life for the better.