Nurturing Growth & Support

Michel Coconis serves as the VISTA Community Programs Coordinator at Gahanna Community Congregational Church (GCCC). In this role, she coordinates volunteers, expands available services, and secures additional program funding. For a good portion of her time, Michel also coordinates operations of GCCC’s Daily Bread Produce Garden, a giving garden that grows unique vegetables and herbs for a local food pantry. Michel also plays a significant role with the Goodwill Social Engagement Program, preparing fun weekly activities for persons with physical and intellectual challenges and encouraging the development of social skills. Finally, Michel develops programming for Friends of ARCH, an initiative serving individuals reentering society after incarceration.

Through service, Michel has treasured the knowledge she has gained about gardening and designing programs for persons with differing abilities. Working on programming for Friends of ARCH, she also learned how to adapt and be creative as the initiative evolved. Michel has been grateful for connections made with organizations, staff, and volunteers in the community. She has also found it immensely rewarding to share these experiences more widely by developing a social media campaign.

Following service, Michel plans to move into semi-retirement, teaching social work classes online and working part-time while providing caregiving to her partner. As a result of her experience as a VISTA member, Michel has even started her own garden! In future harvests, she plans to donate a portion of what is produced through mutual aid networks. Beyond service, she looks forward to continuing in the role of a supporter for the populations she has served during AmeriCorps.

“I will continue my work in reentry and other fairness-involved activities and engagement,” she says. “I will be more aware and responsive to the sociolegal needs of persons with differing abilities, and I will include more related content in my social work courses.”

Michel feels that her time as a VISTA member has deepened her understanding of those living in poverty, as well as the importance of programs that ensure people are fed and have a high quality of life. As a result, she believes her ability to teach her social work students will be improved.

“I already was a social worker for 37 years when I applied, so I had the ‘service bug,’” says Michel, “but getting to work intergenerationally to produce something and to serve others is a great honor and I’m so very glad to close out my career – somewhat – with these great opportunities. Thanks to AmeriCorps, to ShareCorps, to GCCC, program participants and volunteers, supportive colleagues, and friends who helped make this happen.”

Thanks for your service, Michel!