Author Archives: michellegunn21

My interests were initially in looking at how non-profit organizations, particularly international NGOS, worked to engage with the community and solve issues within. By working with PeaceJam, an international NGO, I was definitely exposed to how these organizations try to make sustainable and lasting change within these communities. I think the biggest takeaway from workingContinue reading “My Interests After my Experience”

After completing my experience, I went to my grandparent’s house to spend time with family. While I was there, my dad had mentioned wanting to go this museum in Mobile, Alabama. This museum was showcasing the history of the Clotilda, or the last known slave ship in the U.S., and the town, AfricaTown, that theseContinue reading “The Clotilda: An Unknown Story”

My experience this summer has been truly great! I did not know what to expect when I started my AmeriCorps service with PeaceJam but it has given me a new perspective on what it takes to and what it means to truly serve a community. The Center for Leadership and Service does incredible work andContinue reading “Farewell to my AmeriCorps Summer Experience”

For my map, we start at the Center for Leadership and Service. PeaceJam Southeast operates out of this department at Florida State so I spent a lot of my time here. When not working on PeaceJam, I would assist and participate in different events and activities that the Center would put on. I also spentContinue reading “The Map of my Spaces”

Since I ended up staying in Tallahassee for my experience, I didn’t think I would end up entering a different environment or community for my experience. Unexpectedly, I have had new experiences with the Tallahassee community through some of the outreach and engagements I have done with PeaceJam. For example, I have entered new neighborhoodsContinue reading “Rediscovering My Cultural Community”

Solidarity in the Tallahassee community was very evident at the Inaugural Community Digital Equity Forum I attended as a part of PeaceJam Southeast at Fairview Middle School on June 27th. At this forum, community organizations, government officials, school systems, and private corporations like Comcast came together to discuss the issue of the digital equity andContinue reading “Solidarity in the Tallahassee Community”

As a PeaceJam Summer VISTA Associate, my daily routine can change based on the day. Some days, I volunteer with programs like Pop-Up Preschool or food-sorting with the Second Harvest of the Big Bend. Other days, I go out into the community through summer camps/programs and do coaching. Coaching is when we do lessons basedContinue reading “A Day in the Life with PeaceJam”

The structural inequality that I have become more attuned to in the local Tallahassee is the access to quality education. Through PeaceJam, I have been able to work with Leon County Schools’ Pop-Up Preschool. Pop-Up Preschool brings free preschool programs to children 3-6 in the local Tallahassee community. These children have the opportunity to willContinue reading “My 2nd Week with PeaceJam”

This past week, I started my service as an AmeriCorps Summer Vista with PeaceJam Southeast in the Center for Leadership and Service here at Florida State University. For my first couple of days, I became acclimated with the philosophies of PeaceJam and participated in my onboarding orientation for AmeriCorps. As I started to review theContinue reading “My First Week with PeaceJam as a Summer Vista!”