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New Americans VISTA Program

Meet the Team

Anjelica Rivas Site: Houston, TX Title: Development Assistant 1. I am a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Austin where I studied Geography and learned to be VERY interested in the intersection of people and place. 2. I am a hopeful future urban planner, specifically I am interested in looking at both public spaces and social equity through that career path 3. I am a very loyal Grey’s Anatomy fan!	Ziania Narvaez-Garcia Site: Philadelphia, PA Title: Coordinator of Hope & Help New Americans in Philadelphia Service Date: 3/21/2016-3/20/2017 1. My name is Zapotec, it is suppose to be spelled zyanya and it means "forever, always". 2. I completed my BA at Allegheny College with a double major in International Studies and Studio Art. 3. I was born and raised in South Texas but spent a lot of summers in Mexico with family.	Grace Gaskill Site: Boston, MA Title: New Americans Volunteer and Community Resource Associate 1. I am interested in pursuing a career in International Development after my VISTA service, initially by furthering my education with a graduate degree. 2. My interests include social justice work, specifically racial and gender equality, and reproductive health. 3. I know every word to every Kanye West song.
Zack Balomenos Site: Portland, ME Title: Employment Support Specialist 1. I spent half of last year working and studying in Amman, Jordan. 2. I speak Arabic. 3. I obtained Eagle Scout rank after organizing a project to restore a cemetery.	Annie Kibrick Site: Lower Hudson Valley, NY Title: Volunteer and Resource Development Coordinator 1. I am a huge NY Knicks fan. 2. My favorite hobbies are writing songs and playing soccer. 3. If I could eat avocados with every meal, I would!	Natassia Oliver Site: Cincinnati, OH Title: New American Volunteer Coordinator 1. I am a former United States Marine Corps Member. 2. In 2012, I organized the largest blood drive in Camp Kinser history. 3. I studied communications.
Alexandra Roche Site: Springfield, MA Title: Western Mass New Americans Welcome Home Project Assistant 1. I play 4 instruments and love to play music. 2. I majored in Criminal Justice and Psychology in college. 3. I'm a huge Harry Potter nerd.	Luis Mata Site: McAllen, TX Title: Volunteer and Data Coordinator 1. I love volunteering & helping my community. 2. I am a Second degree white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 3. I love watching documentaries about World War Two.	Nadia Khodadai Site: Chicago, IL Title: Chicago Refugee Program Welcomes New Americans Assistant 1. I go to Northwestern University and I am getting my Master of Science in Global Health. 2. I once spent a night in jail for trying to break up a fight. 3. I love French fries!
Mauricio Huertas Site: Chicago, IL Title: Legal Immigration Resource Development Specialist 1. I'm fluent in Spanish. 2. I appreciate a good mediation session.	Nadia Huffer Site: New York, NY Title: Volunteer Coordinator Service Date: 1. I am an only child. 2. I lived in Jordan and Moldova. 3. In my free time, I love visiting art museums and galleries.	Katie Hannah Site: Cincinnati, OH Title: Volunteer Coordinator 1. I loooove yoga and am a certified instructor. 2. I have a degree in international studies. 3. I'm interested in earning a masters in Social Work.
Samantha Astley Site: Camden, NJ Title: NJ Welcomes New Americans Volunteer and Donation Coordinator 1. I have my bachelors of science in criminal justice and psychology and am currently pursuing my masters in criminal justice. 2. I volunteer coach Special Olympics soccer, softball and bowling. 3. I teach hebrew to children and once rode a camel in Israel.	Clare Peckenpaugh Site: Salt Lake City, Utah Title: Maternal & Child Health Coordinator 1. I'm passionate about providing healthcare access to undeserved populations. 2. I have a degree in Public Policy. 3. In the past I've helped people enroll in medicaid.	Brittany Libby Site: Philadelphia, PA Title: Coordinator of Hope & Help New Americans 1. I love making pottery and was the head instructor of a children's ceramics camp. 2. I have a bachelors degree in intercultural studies. 3. I studied abroad in Rwanda and specifically studied the extensive history of the Rwandan genocide and tools utilized for continual reconciliation.
Shonda Site: Portland, ME Title: Resource Development Specialist 1. I have a Master's in Public Administration. 2. I am also working on a Master's in reconciliation. 3. I am fluent in French and can communicate in more than 3 languages.	Paulina Rodriquez Site: Las Cruces, NM Title: Resource Development Coordinator 1. I double majored in sociology and Latin American Studies. 2. I have a hitchhikers thumb. 3. I studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador my junior year of college and worked with a non-profit organization helping Colombian Refugees.	Marquis Davis Site: Perth Amboy Title: Volunteer and Development Coordinator 1. I enjoy going to the gym. 2. I hold 2 undergraduate degrees: Labor Studies and Psychology
Emily Sellers Site: Nashville, TN Title: Volunteer Coordinator 1. I used to have a pet donkey named “Peanut.” 2. I’m hugely into crossword puzzles. 3. I love oil painting, mostly because I enjoy squishing the little paint mounds.	Brian Grace Site: Salt Lake City, UT Title: Refugee Youth Coordinator 1. After graduating college, I traveled to Greece and worked in a refugee camp where I managed the clothing distribution center. 2. As a kid, I played baseball, basketball, soccer, and was a boy scout. 3. Eventually, I hope to attend law school.	Jenna Shouldice Site: Alexandria, VA Title: New Americans VISTA Leader 1. I shared a hotel room with 4 service members calling 100 square feet my personal space, walked 7 miles a day in traverse weather conditions, and battled abnormally large mosquitoes to assist SC disaster survivors; and yet I still LOVE national service. 2. I believe everyone has a story and has something to teach if you just listen. 3. I am a coffee fan and french press my own coffee to simply appreciate the art of coffee production.

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