City of Phoenix AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA

Ben O'Brien

Innovation Coordinator

Ben - AmeriCorps Bio Photo Dimensions - 1 — Ben O'Brien served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA for the Office of Innovation as the Innovation Coordinator. During his service year, Ben worked on a Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge project by building the data strategy for the Mobile Career Unit to connect jobseekers to employment opportunities. Ben also served on a team to provide access to chilled drinking water throughout Phoenix. At the end of his service year, Ben stayed on with the Office of Innovation.

Kent Strano

Equity Outreach Program Specialist

Kent - AmeriCorps Bio Photo Dimensions - 4 — Kent Strano served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability, where he forged connections between city services, community resources, and residents to identify needs and equitable solutions related to climate change, including micro-mobility options and heat mitigation. During his year of service, he organized and led 16 outreach and education events across eight underserved neighborhoods, resulting in implementation plans for two communities. Currently, Kent continues to support many of these communities as the Active Living Program Coordinator and Community Outreach Professional at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County, working with the AZ HealthZone SNAP-Ed program.

Ruby Maderafont

Volunteer Program Assistant

Ben - AmeriCorps Bio Photo Dimensions - 3 — Ruby Maderafont served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix S’edav Va’aki Museum (SVM). During their year of service, Ruby served as the volunteer program assistant, supporting SVM’s mission of honoring the site of S’edav Va’aki as a unique community resource by connecting students from local Title I schools with the museum’s educational programs and volunteers. Ruby created valuable resources for expanding the museum’s existing programs and establishing new programs at SVM, including a new youth volunteer program. With the research Ruby conducted on the museum’s current volunteer program, the schools in the community, and teen volunteer programs at similar institutions, they laid the foundation for SVM’s new teen volunteer program. After their service year, they have taken positions: Museum Specialist at Heritage Square, Arts Educator at Scottsdale Arts and an Organizational Assistant at Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona.

Zachary Van Tol

Heat Resilience Intern

Ben - AmeriCorps Bio Photo Dimensions - 2 — Zachary served as an intern with the City of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation (OHRM), where he focused on strengthening the Heat Relief Network (HRN) and enhancing partnerships with community organizations. He worked to increase access to critical resources, such as water bottles and cooling stations, by collaborating with local groups and businesses. Additionally, Zachary conducted an evaluation of the city’s Incident Management Team (IMT) for heat response, providing recommendations to improve coordination and effectiveness during extreme heat events. His efforts emphasized improving network operations and fostering strong community relationships to better support Phoenix residents.

Kailey Mullis

Administrative Assistant at the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs

Kailey served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the Office of Environmental Programs on the Food Systems Team. During her year of service, Kailey served as the lead coordinator of annual Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest event at the community farm incubator, Spaces of Opportunity, and the Lassen Elementary School, in South Phoenix. With the help from over 10 community events partners, Food Day and Healthfest promoted over 40 local vendors supporting local food and health resources, had live performances from from local talent, a farmer's market with free produce, free baby shots and vaccines, live cooking demos, kid activities, and more. Aside from Food day, Kailey served as the lead coordinator of Phoenix: Let's Eat Local! which is the City's first ever campaign dedicated to connecting residents with our local food system. The campaign launched in February 2023. Additionally, she assisted the team in carrying out the Phoenix Backyard Garden program and Food System Transformation grants. At the end of her service, Kailey joined the Food Systems team as an Administrative Assistant and will continue to work on the projects mentioned above.

Jonathan Simon

Senior Caseworker at the City of Phoenix Housing Department

Jonathan served as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Housing Supportive Services stationed at the Aeroterra Community Center. He helped with community engagement and capacity building efforts to following the easement of COVID restrictions. Jonathan had the opportunity to help organize events in the Edison-Eastlake area, support community groups, build partner committees, secure donations, help develop the Aeroterra after-school summer program and monthly food pantries, and so much more. At the end of my service year, he took two positions: one at Aeroterra as a Senior Caseworker and Service Coordinator, and the other at Monroe Gardens working in Digital Navigation.

Emma Collins

Planner I at the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office

Emma served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the Office of Sustainability. Emma worked to facilitate and expand the Student Council Sustainability Officers program (SCSO). Through her service Emma was able to assist in expanding SCSO into the Tempe Union High School District and Mesa Public School District, oversee monthly SCSO meetings, coordinate the annual Sustainability Challenge engaging 2500 students in sustainable fashion education, and assist in the outreach campaign for the Electric Vehicle Roadmap community input survey. At the end of her year of service Emma joined the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office as a Planner 1 where she coordinated the demolition approval process and assists in design review approvals for historic properties.

Ashley Kate Norman

Kate served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the Workforce Development Division developing a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Plan. Through her service Kate was able to help better serve marginalized communities around the area of workforce and employment. She was also helpful in launching the Mobile Career Unit as part of the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge. At the completion of her year of service, Kate moved to Tucson to serve another year of Service as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader.

Holley Fulgham

Holley served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Housing department. Holley worked with the ConnectHome program, narrowing the digital divide, through digital literacy trainings for the community, specifically for the Senior population. Through her efforts, Seniors became proficient in using computers, tablets, and different software programs. This was essential during the Covid pandemic for Seniors to remain connected. At the completion of her service, Holley returned home to Tennessee.

Jessica Foreman

Project Management Assistant at the City of Phoenix Housing Department

Jessica served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department, where she supported community outreach and engagement activities for the Choice Neighborhoods Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Jessica headed the community garden programs and former GR:D Bike programs, assisted in the management, reporting, and application of grants, provided support to new and existing community groups, and leveraged resources that promote community leadership within the Choice Neighborhoods focus area. At the end of her Year of Service, Jessica joined the City of Phoenix Housing Department as a Project Management Assistant, where she supports the housing opportunities for the Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs and manages the Open Doors Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program.

Lauren Slim

Engineering Technician at the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department

Lauren served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Mayor's Office. Lauren worked with Arizona at Work in preparing the hybrid summer employment program and proposed a program that recognized small businesses in the City of Phoenix for their efforts and opportunities. As part of the Mayor's Birthday Book Club, Lauren sent out books to participants monthly, along with working in partnership with other departments to create a map to see where they received the most participation with the intent to serve more in the future. At the end of her service, Lauren joined the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department as an Engineering Tech, where she serves as staff support to development teams by tracking projects status and serving as a liaison between the customer and plans review and inspection staff.

Karen Ibarra

Karen served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs. During her year of service, Karen assisted in the coordination of two Phoenix Food Day drive-thru events. They successfully served more than 4,000 individuals and families with food boxes, goody bags, seed starting kits, and healthy recipes. Additionally, she assisted with the development of the Phoenix Backyard Garden Program. A program that is to provide free gardening systems and training to 90 Phoenix residents in specific planning villages in South and West Phoenix.

Brianna Williams

Brianna served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps Vista with the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability. Brianna was instrumental in working on the Citizen Forester Program, We're Cool Heat Relief Outreach, and Cool Roof Policy Development. Through her service, Brianna was able to assist in the planning process for a Regional Citizen Forester Program, distribute and educate community members on heat relief resources throughout Phoenix and compile information to further develop Cool Roofs in Phoenix. Brianna worked to create advocates within the Phoenix communities. At the end of her Year of Service, Brianna joined the City of Phoenix Volunteer PHX Office as a Volunteer Facilitator, where she assists in coordinating and overseeing the volunteer projects and programs.

Nash Allen

Community Worker at the City of Phoenix Housing Department

Nash served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department's ConnectHome Program. During his year of service, Nash worked with the ConnectHome program to distribute 800 tablets to seniors living in the City's public housing properties. He also created digital literacy training materials for senior residents who received a tablet through ConnectHome, such as a senior tablet user guide, a training presentation on cyber security, and tutorial videos on how to use Zoom. In addition, he helped the Housing Department apply for grant funding to develop a digital literacy training program for senior public housing residents. After his Year of Service Nash joined the City of Phoenix Housing Department as a Community Worker, where he helps organize and supervise the afterschool program for youth living at Aeroterra.

Nancy Preston

Nancy served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Nancy helped develop the Resilient Phoenix workshop to include access and functional needs, to ensure emergency preparedness with the Phoenix Community. She assisted with the City of Phoenix emergency operations plans and assisting with the city's COVID-19 efforts, such as live-virus testing site logistics and the supply and distribution of personal protective equipment to school districts.

Florence Luna

Florence served as a Serve NYC AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department's ConnectHome Program. During her year of service, she assisted with bringing devices to residents in the affordable housing communities and getting them connected to the internet. Florence worked to bring resources into vulnerable communities, to help enhance quality of life.

Teresa Hauer

Database Manager and Executive Assistant at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona (RMHCCNAZ)

Teresa served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member for one year in the Neighborhood Services Department. She worked on the Phoenix Community Action Response Engagement Services (CARES) program, which functions as a way for residents to report blight created by homeless encampments. Additionally, the CARES program connects individuals experiencing homelessness to services through a case management system that communicates with Community Bridges. She worked directly in the case management system, took calls from residents and individuals experiencing homelessness, and created resources that organized all of the available services. Outside of her day-to-day tasks, Teresa also helped organize the Healthy Giving Council, which unites service providers and community members to strategize and pull resources together so that our neighbors experiencing homelessness are cared for. She bolstered their social media and strategic action plan, and helped run meetings, as well as creating a resource map that could be handed out to individuals experiencing homelessness. Her favorite aspect of her year was that she took every opportunity to go on ride-alongs and attend key community meetings. Teresa experienced a shift as a CBI navigator, observed the Police response to individuals experiencing homelessness, rode along with the Tempe HOPE team, and got involved in the Phoenix Community Alliance. She also attended the Arizona Drug Summit, the Meaningful Access Symposium, and events organized by the AZ Housing Coalition. Teresa saw a wide-lens perspective of homelessness in Phoenix during my year, which offered a wealth of understanding and ideas for how we can advocate for better services and municipal response to the issue. Currently, Teresa work as the Database Manager and Executive Assistant at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona (RMHCCNAZ). Her time in the PHXCares database offered lots of training in an area she wasn't very familiar with, which she is able to now use in her current full-time job. She also works directly with the Board of Directors and community leaders while providing support to her team in many other ways, so that they can ultimately provide a "home away from home" for families who may not be able to afford lodging while their child is receiving medical attention. They've seen families avoid homelessness by being able to stay with us in some cases - but more than that, they see a community of care and compassion thrive every day.

Dakota Leonard

Dakota served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA for one year with the City of Phoenix Housing Department, supporting the Edison-Eastlake Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. She managed Aetna's $100,000 Cultivating Healthy Communities grant that provided subsidized GR:D Bike memberships for Edison-Eastlake residents. Through this grant, she worked to create more bikeable and connected neighborhoods by expanding the subsidized membership eligibility area, planning strategic placements for new bike share stations, recruiting new members, distributing bike safety equipment, and planning community events including bike rides, bike safety workshops, and a children's bike rodeo. She also facilitated the creation of a community garden project at one of the City public housing sites, in partnership with the Maricopa County Department Public Health. Dakota learned a great deal about how local governments and community partners can collaborate to create more green and sustainable communities.

Tarnisha Tilson

Tarnisha has a passion to serve marginalized communities through advancing economic and education opportunities. In addition, she is a dedicated public servant with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and a career goal of creating Second Chance Programs specifically for those previously incarcerated. She served in the Office of Mayor Kate Gallego, focusing on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. MBK is aimed to help young people of color to reach their full potential by providing them with education and employment resources. However, since COVID-19, Tarnisha worked with Business Workforce Development (BWD) to help with workforce recovery for young adults. VISTA was a wonderful opportunity because she got to give back to the community and learn about the operations of government. Tarnisha’s next endeavors include her continuing her work in community service.

Brandi Hall

Brandi is an Arizona native with degrees in Environmental Science and Law. She joined the AmeriCorps VISTA program through HandsOn Greater Phoenix last September, in order to work as the City of Phoenix Food System Coordinator in the Office of Environmental Programs. Over the course of her year of service, Brandi helped organize and run the 2019 Phoenix Food Day & Healthfest, created a series of guides intended to assist Food System Entrepreneurs to navigate permitting and licensing requirements, and investigated where city food policies could be more streamlined. Brandi is hoping to continue working in Environmental Policy.

Micah Maani

Bahá’í World Centre, Office of Financial Affairs

Micah served as a HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA with the City of Phoenix Housing Department from April 2018 through April 2019, supporting the Edison-Eastlake Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. In July 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the City of Phoenix Housing Department a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant. As a VISTA member, Micah served with the Housing Department in various capacities related to the implementation of this grant. In addition, he managed the department’s Aetna Healthy Communities grant which promoted a subsidized GR:D Bike membership for Edison-Eastlake residents. Micah currently works in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio at an IT training and consulting firm, Babbage Simmel. In November 2019 he will be moving to Haifa, Israel to begin working at the Bahá’í World Centre. The Bahá’í World Centre is the spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith, to which he belongs. The Bahá’í World Centre functions similar to a nongovernmental organization, representing the affairs of the worldwide Bahá’í community, with representative offices within the United Nations in New York and Geneva. Micah will work in the office of financial affairs.

Ashley Henderson

Volunteer Phoenix Program Facilitator, City Manager's Office

Ashley served as an Engagement Coordinator for the Neighborhood Services Department, administering Love Your Block (LYB), Neighborhood College, and the Tomorrow’s Involved Leaders Today (T.I.L.T.) programs. During her year of service, she supported in completing 14 Love Your Block projects, getting 8 neighborhood groups through their workshops and ready to begin their projects, as well as coordinating the T.I.L.T. youth leadership program for 24 students. Ashley is a fourth-generation Arizonan and enjoyed giving back to her community by working hands-on with Phoenix residents.

Ted Hentschke

Editor in Chief, Film Production Company

Ted Hentschke served the City of Phoenix and Hands On Greater Phoenix for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA. During the first part of his service, he worked on the M.A.N. C.A.V.E. (Men All Need to be Caring, Actively engaged, Vested, and Encouraged) program for Head Start. This program aimed to increase male involvement in the lives of low-income families. Hosting monthly events in nine different school districts, the M.A.N. C.A.V.E. worked with hundreds of fathers to become more involved in their children's lives while combating harmful gender stereotypes. For his final five months of service, Ted worked on the We’re Cool program in the City Manager’s Office in collaboration with the Human Services Department. Part of the Arizona Heat Relief Network, We’re Cool provides heat illness information, maps of cooling center locations, and water to Phoenix residents in need. His primary tasks were improving the existing informational infrastructure and coordinating distribution events. He also coordinated with the Nazarene Youth Conference on a major distribution event involving over 400 teen volunteers.

Talia Ramella

AmeriCorps VISTA Leader, Cities of Service

Talia served as a Love Your Block VISTA, administering the grant program and working closely with neighborhood groups to build capacity and revitalize community spaces. During her year of service she worked in neighborhoods citywide, facilitated community partnerships, and supported 15 grassroots projects. Talia is a native Phoenician and enjoyed building new relationships and engaging her city through the impactful program. Talia has accepted an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader position with Cities of Service in New York City and hopes to use her experience as a VISTA to lead and impact future generations of AmeriCorps VISTAs.

Leonard Gross

AIPAC Fellow

Lenny hails from Detroit and traveled to Phoenix with the mission of making a positive impact in Phoenix neighborhoods. He graduated from Michigan State University with a dual degree in International Relations and Spanish, spending a year living and studying in Valencia, Spain. In his spare time Lenny cooks all types of food, eats a lot of food, and runs endurance races. After nearly a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA, he's proud of the work he's accomplished. His and Talia's legacy are 15 grassroots projects, several informative videos, and a significantly increased program engagement capacity. After his year of service Lenny will continue his career as a Fellow for AIPAC in NYC.

Willa Altman-Kaough

Office of Mayor Kate Gallego

Willa served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member from 2016-2017 in the City Manager's Office as a part of The Cities of Service Resilient PHX initiative. Willa transitioned into a position as Council Aide in Councilwoman Kate Gallego's office. Willa serves as liaison to community groups, helping community stakeholders navigate city services. Willa brought her experiences as a Resilient PHX VISTA and connections with the community to her new potion and enjoys seeing how community input is incorporated in creating policy. She also appreciates the comprehensive view of the city and how various departments and community stakeholders work together to accomplish common goals.

Nicholas Roosevelt

Government Relations Representative in the Office of Government Relations in the City Manager's Office

Nick served two terms as an AmeriCorps VISTA member from 2016-2018 in the City Manager's Office as a part of The Cities of Service Resilient PHX initiative. Nick transitioned into a position with the Office of Government Relations in the City Manager's Office working as a Government Relations Representative. Nick's recent work includes executing duties as the Budget and Research Department and procurement liaison, supporting the State and Federal lobbying teams, and various administrative responsibilities. Nick enjoys the fast-paced environment and finds it fascinating to experience where city government, policy and local and regional politics intersect.

Katie Gentry

Impact and Data Coordinator for the Arizona Housing Coalition

Katie served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2016-2017 in the Office of Mayor Greg Stanton. Her primary focus was homeless services, human trafficking, and veteran support. Katie believes being a VISTA allowed her to discover what she wanted to do and a chance to network with support the of other city staff, which ultimately landed her a job that she loves. After her year of service, Katie transitioned to full-time employment at the City of Phoenix, focusing on homelessness. Currently she is the Impact and Data Coordinator for the Arizona Housing Coalition. The Arizona Housing Coalition is a collaborative association that leads in the efforts to end homelessness and advocate for safe, affordable homes for all Arizonians. As a statewide membership trade organization, the coalition focuses on advocacy, collaboration, and education for its members and throughout Arizona. Katie is working on coordinating and assisting with the Arizona Veteran StandDown Alliance as well as the creation of the statewide Veteran By Name List.

Natalya Brown

Former Council Aide- District 8

Natalya accepted the position of Council Aide in Councilwoman Felicita Mendoza's office shortly after she completed her service as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She believes working for the City of Phoenix offers professional exposure, great benefits, and the ability to help people in a tangible way.

Sara Mattio

Lead GIS Analyst, City of Philadelphia

Sara Mattio served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member from 2015-2016 in the Public Works Department. The department was looking to educate the community about their '40 by 20' goal of reaching a level of 40% solid waste diversion by 2020. Sara was brought in to build a volunteer program that engaged the community with Public Works' efforts. As a recent college graduate looking to begin a career in government, the VISTA position was a great opportunity to gain exposure to various aspects of city government. She shadowed many roles in the department and managed over 200 volunteers, represented the department at community events, and worked with a team to organize the annual Compost Week. After completing her year as a VISTA, she went on to receive her Master's Degree in Urban Planning from Oxford Brookes University and was hired by the City of Philadelphia's Office of Innovation and Technology, where she works today as a Lead GIS Analyst. She coordinates the work done by GIS analysts in various departments and is working on transitioning the current 911 system into the new, update Next Generation 911 system. She attributes her current position and success to the experiences she had due to her AmeriCorps VISTA year of service with the City of Phoenix.

Cole Libera

City and County Government Relations Associate, Dorn Policy Group, Inc.

Cole Libera served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Mayor Kate Gallego during her tenure as the District 8 Councilwoman. Cole focused his service on sustainability, economic development and constituent services. “I learned a tremendous amount about the innerworkings of a city," says Libera, “developing close relationships that have propelled me into the career of my dreams." Cole currently works as the City and County Government Relations Associate at Dorn Policy Group.

Godfrey Riddle, MPA

City Manager's Volunteer Phoenix Office & Neighborhood Services Director's Office

Godfrey Riddle served one term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member from 2011 to 2012 in the City Manager's Volunteer Office and Neighborhood Services Director's Office. He advanced projects and initiatives to bolster volunteerism within City departments, enhance community engagement, and improve community well-being. He led research, partnership development, and program creation for the City's 2012 Cities of Service Grant that awarded $100,000 to establish a community gardening and "cool roof" energy efficiency initiatives. His time with the City of Phoenix deepened his passion for public service and illuminated his path to build a life and career of service. Godfrey earned his Master's in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. Godfrey and began his fundraising career in 2014 at ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council where he founded the Arts Leadership Series to inspire and equip people from underrepresented communities to pursue nonprofit arts board leadership. He was Development Director for KC Friends of Alvin Ailey and is a founding team member for Rightfully Sewn, a social enterprise that creates jobs and opportunities through the business of fashion. His is Vice President External Affairs for Rightfully Sewn and has raised more than $6 million since launching his career. Godfrey is thankful for his VISTA experience because the mentorship and career exposure it afforded are the bedrock of his career and current aspirations to build a legacy of public service.

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