Goodbye Raquel!

Raquel took my request to write up a reflection on her time of service seriously, she used her creativity to write us a poem, describing her year. I will personally miss having her sitting in front with us, always with a smile and able to make us laugh. I hope we all love our service as much as Raquel has! Thank you Raquel! Enjoy her poem.



Hasta la VISTA (A Farewell Poem)
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As my VISTA service winds down to its end
I prepare to part with benevolent friends.
I shed unseen tears for sweet moments and revel
in the memory of living at poverty level.

I never felt jipped or deprived or neglected
My rewards were sufficient and more than expected.
Living stipend, bus pass and housing support
Unbeatable insurance and educational award.

Not to mention San Diego—how I loved PSO,
And many more trainings that helped me to grow.
So many bonuses to spice up my year
Bees Game, Living Legends, Saliva Sisters—Oh dear.

Conferences, workshops, materials—all free!
Like the flights, hotel stays, fancy meals, and ask me
About “Crucial Conversations” and what your “True Colors” are
I learned all that too, I’ve experienced it all.
And if I’m ever in an pretty dangerous situation
I’ll recall my recent training on emergency preparation.

My leaders were supportive and always took the time
To answer all my questions and offer good advice.
At monthly VISTA potlucks I would learn what others do
Connections Council and TCN helped me build up networks too.

My VAD described the tasks I should complete within the year
My primary assignment: Urge the youth to volunteer!
With co-workers I’d visit schools to build up good relations
We’d set up booths to promote events or deliver presentations.

Global Youth Service Day—what a perfect way to start
Recruiting several youth groups to plan and serve with heart.
Next came Summer of Service; 13 projects in 3 months
From Courage Reins to nursing homes—adults and teens and runts.

And because I felt desirous to reward my volunteers
I learned the art of seeking out donations without fear.
As 30 sponsors feely gave, you bet my heart was soaring
Our End-of-Summer Celebration resembled Christmas morning!

And Family Volunteer Day was a project to remember
Hotcakes first, to warm us in the chill of mid-November.
Then the 220 volunteers went out to various sites
Stuffing stockings, building homes, hanging décor & Christmas lights.
All the families seemed delighted—giving 2 hours was no trouble
To serve the many folks in our community who struggle.

What fun it was to get involved in additional events
Day of Caring—what a blast! But talk about intense.
We raced paper planes for Campaign Week; all colors shapes and sizes
And had profile spotlight guessing games and penny wars and prizes!
AmeriCorps Week hygiene drive and VISTA Make a Difference Day,
Martin Luther reader’s theater and Dia de los Reyes.
And Yay!—my Spanish came in handy almost every day
For translating and taking calls and keeping forms updated.

I was blessed to serve United Way, thanks to AmeriCorps
Taking 2-1-1 calls: Swine Flu, VITA, and there’s more…
Sub for Santa, Disney Day and court-appointed service
Calls that made me smile or laugh and some that made me nervous.
So many people with urgent needs I may have never noticed
Now my eyes and heart know more; they’ve developed an outward focus.

Thank you to the people who have made my year so special.
I’ve seen such goodness in your hearts, you’ve been so influential.
My VISTA term seemed short and sweet, but now I’m on a roll.
“Enter to learn, go forth to serve,” may this be our common goal.


Raquel Lopez Quintana
AmeriCorps VISTA
United Way of Utah County
2009-2010

We will miss you guys!