Our VISTA’s

Meli Fonseca graduated from Wake Forest University in 2018 with a B.A. in Religious Studies and minors in both Health & Human Services and Politics & International Affairs. She first served as a VISTA with the Winston-Salem Urban League where she focused much of her time building the organization’s social media presence and building capacity across several programs. Meli is returning for her second year to serve as the VISTA Leader for the Winston-Salem Community Action Coalition.

Casey Capstick grew up near Buffalo, NY where she attended SUNY Oswego. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology, and History, concentrating in World History. After completing her B.A. in 2016 she relocated to Greensboro NC. Recently, Casey took a backpacking trek around Europe for four weeks, visiting six countries. Through Casey’s travels she has learned that she enjoys working with all types of people. She is excited to start her first year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA at the Winston Salem Community Action Coalition and ABC of NC.

Michelle Howard grew up in Clemmons, North Carolina and graduated from Furman University in 2019 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Poverty Studies. Michelle previously worked with YouthBASE and Great Outdoor Adventure Trips: both organizations in Greenville, SC, which allowed her to contribute to the personal and academic development of at-risk and underprivileged youth. She also spent a summer internship at Doulos Discovery School and Pico Escondido in the Dominican Republic. Following this year as a VISTA member, Michelle will pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work.

Hollis Adams received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Political Science from The University of the South: Sewanee in 2019. She was initially interested in becoming a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA because she served as a VISTA Summer Associatie in 2017. The following summer, she interned at The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. She is interested in public policy and non-profit management, and she excited to complete her year of service at Crosby Scholars.

Kiesha Speech graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College), with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While attending college, she was a member of the student Senate, Judiciary Committee, and President of the Circle K Club. She has had the privilege of traveling and working across the globe. Her most recent career work was in state government and local policy, and her community work was in capacity building through assisting a non-profit. Prior to returning to her hometown of Winston-Salem, NC she lived, worked and served in the Metro Detroit, Michigan area. Kiesha has also worked in corporate, non-profit, public administration, public policy fields, as well as a speaker and a consultant. She has been elected to serve her community in two separate public offices and believes that “to lead is to serve.” She holds dearly to all that AmeriCorps VISTA subscribes to.

Originally from Winston Salem, Alyvia Williams graduated from Wake Forest in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and minor in Latin American Studies. Alyvia was a Magnolia Scholar while at Wake and served as a Resident Adviser, a Wake Alternative Break Leader, and as an International Program Assistant at the Worrell House in London.  Following her service, Alyvia plans to pursue a career in medicine as a physician.

Originally from the Bronx, NY, Latricia graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Divinity in 2019 with a Master of Divinity. During her time at Wake Forest, Latricia was a Graduate Hall Director, served as a Campus Minster with the Episcopal Student Fellowship, and provided care to the students of both Winston-Salem State University and The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Latricia is also a proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Sociology. Latricia is extremely excited to serve as a VISTA member with Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County.

Julia Ough is a 2018 graduate of Wake Forest University where she earned a B.A. in English with honors. Since graduation, she has pursued her passion for education and communication by teaching at Summit School’s Afterschool Program and archiving at UNC School of the Arts’ Moving Image Archive, Wake Forest’s Digital Initiatives and Scholarly Communications, as well as Wake Forest’s Special Collections. Winston-Salem has become her home over the last five years, and she is looking forward to serving her community as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with HandsOn NWNC.

Amelia Bass graduated in 2019 from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Social Work. During her undergraduate career, Amelia served as both an international and domestic flying peer leader for Alternative Service Experiences (ASE’s). Working alongside multiple non-profit organizations, Amelia co-led service programs to promote educational advancement, community development, and to de-stigmatize addiction and homelessness. While participating in ASE’s, Amelia served as Education Chair for all ASE programs as well as interned with the Ashe Community Paramedic Program. Amelia also interned with the North Carolina Community Health Center Association and became a scholar with the Summer Policy Institute held at William Peace University in the Summer of 2018. She now also holds Corps Membership with Lead for America. Her history and passion for service, community engagement, and health access has led her to Winston Salem, her hometown, to pursue a year of service with the Kids Cooking Coalition through Campus Kitchen.

Ieisha Carter graduated from East Carolina University in 2014 with a Master’s in Accounting. As an undergraduate she was an active volunteer with ECU’s Pirate Tutoring Center and a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Coed Business Fraternity. She has five years of experience in public, government, and private firms and continues to give to her community as a volunteer Career Readiness Instructor with Pivot Ministries. She considers it a blessing to be able to take off a full year to give back to her community with Lead Girls of NC.

Rance just finished his third year at Wake Forest University where he’s majoring in Politics & International Affairs and minoring in Religious Studies. During his first year Rance founded the Wake Forest chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, and has served as Vice President each year since. He’s currently taking a year off from school to focus on community organizing work, and is looking forward to his year of service with Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods.

Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jasmine graduated from Elon University in 2019 with a B.A. in Public Health and a concentration in Sociocultural Studies. As a student at Elon, she assisted in the coordination and programming of New Student Orientation and the South Dakota Alternative Breaks program. She previously interned at Burlington Housing Authority, where she collaborated with the Service Coordinator to develop health and wellness sessions for residents at Burlington Homes.

Kindra R. Speech is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Women’s Studies. After college, Kindra taught English in the public schools of Japan and America, and has worked both in the private and public sectors. A life-long Girl Scout who has always felt the need and obligation to serve every community in which she lives; Kindra has a true passion to advocate for issues concerning women, children, the indigent, and those with disabilities. She believes strongly in the power of education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing.

Most recently, Kindra served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Tucson, Arizona in 2018 – 2019. Looking forward to the coming year, Kindra is returning to her hometown of Winston Salem, where she will serve for another VISTA year with the Parenting PATH, an organization that is focused on providing support and education to families across the city.

Originally from Oak Ridge, North Carolina, Annie graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2019, where she majored in English and Film & Media Studies. As a student, she explored the intersection of arts and education with a focus in international film and and literature. Annie is excited to serve with Americorps and the Piedmont Environmental Alliance.

Maggie Powell is a VISTA with Senior Services, Inc., specifically working in Development and Community Engagement. She recently graduated from Wake Forest University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts involving majors in Economics and Religion, a minor in Environmental Science, and a concentration in Religion and Public Engagement. Maggie has previously worked with Senior Services as an intern during both the Summer of 2018 and the Spring of 2019. Her previous work at Senior Services has involved development work, kicking off a storytelling project titled “Seniors of Forsyth County,” and working to engage younger volunteers. She has loved working with Senior Services in the past and is excited to continue her work there.

Maggie Walker is a returning VISTA member for The Shalom Project of Winston Salem. Originally from Elkin, North Carolina, Maggie graduated from Pfeiffer University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Religion & Human Services, and concentration in Child Development. While at Pfeiffer University, she was a member of the women’s soccer team, a sports chaplain, and a Bonner Scholar. She previously worked with the Veterans’ Restoration Quarters in Asheville, NC to assist veterans in securing housing and employment.

After growing up in Georgia and attending Fort Valley State University (Bachelor of Science, Agriculture Economics), Tania Rowland moved moved to North Carolina to pursue a Master of Science in Agriculture Economics from North Carolina A&T State University. With previous non-profit experience providing food for families throughout Guilford County with Out of the Garden Project, she is is looking forward to continuing her work in food equity and providing service assistance to local communities through her year of service with the SHARE Co-op in Winston-Salem.

Emily Walton graduated in 2019 from Wake Forest University with a B.A. in Psychology, and minors in Chemistry and Biology. Through the Pro Humanitate Institute, Emily served as the Management Coordinator for SPARC and as a Dash Corps leader. Additionally, Emily championed sexual violence awareness on campus through her involvement with Wake Forest’s chapter of Culture of Respect and by serving as the editor of End the Silence WFU. Emily also served on the steering committee for Dining Dilemmas, an organization that convenes biannually to discuss current public health issues. It was at a Dining Dilemma event on the opioid crisis that Emily became motivated to pursue a year of service with Twin City Harm Reduction