Our staff spotlight this week is Marlena Baker. Marlena is the Youth Resources Coordinating VISTA at the Ginsberg Center.
What is your professional background in?
I have served as an AmeriCorps VISTA for almost my second year now. The AmeriCorps VISTA program fueled my interest in working in a community based setting. AmeriCorps VISTA is a national program where individuals are placed in different organizations to help build capacity to alleviate poverty. I served at the Learning and Development office for the AmeriCorps program , and then began working at Mott Children’s Hospital as the Community Relations Associate. I was cross functionally handling special events and coordinating donations from community donors. I have been working with the Ginsberg Center for less than a year focusing on developing community based work study program infrastructure including student recruitment, hiring, training, supervision strategies, and evaluate for sustainable future programming.
What is your job function at the Ginsberg Center?
My job title at the Ginsberg Center Youth Resources Coordinating VISTA. My placement with the Ginsberg Center from AmeriCorps is for a year. I am currently working on coordinating piloting a new work study program that is community based called Digital Connecting Corps. The partnership is between Eastern Michigan University and three Washtenaw County senior centers. The program works to strengthen the intergenerational aspect as well as the barrier that is often between senior citizens and technology.
What is one of your favorite projects you have worked on at the Ginsberg Center?
With my role being very much geared towards the Digital Connecting Corps project most of my work has been focused around the coordination and development of the project. I was in charge of leading a community assessment where we had a handful of students reaching out directly to senior citizens in Washtenaw County to get a better understanding of what the technological needs are. It was exciting playing a hand in coordinating and developing the material and structure of the community assessment itself.
What are your social change interests in your personal life?
On a broad scale I am very interested in closing the opportunity gap, specifically around workforce development and education. Making opportunities more accessible so that individuals are able to develop special skills and have access to education, allowing them to secure a sustainable job or financial income.
What has helped you get through the pandemic (object, cooking, food, TV, etc.)
I have a dog who loves going on walks, giving me the opportunity to get outside multiple times a day which has been extremely helpful for my mental health. I have also picked up a couple different hobbies throughout the pandemic such as crocheting, reading a lot of books, and watching a lot of Survivor!