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Jordan Medalia
jordan@hub25.org
I graduated from Medfield High School in Medfield, Massachusetts in 2004. In 2008 I graduated from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. I 
began my second year as a VISTA here in Cedar Rapids in November, 2009.
My greatest strength as a VISTA is: the flexibility to solve a wide spectrum of problems.
My greatest accomplishment as a VISTA: As a Site Supervisor for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program last year, I filed over 100 federal returns for local taxpayers, most of whom received a refund.
I work with the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub on the Southwest side of Cedar Rapids. Last year I prepared tax returns for eligible taxpayers in the community through the VITA program. Then in the spring I helped organize the Cultivate Hope program, in which Matthew 25 placed nearly 100 flowerpots throughout the flooded neighborhoods in an effort to revitalize the area. I spent the summer watering those flowerpots and doing many different jobs for Matthew 25. I ran the Matthew 25 Tool Library for a while until a permanent manager was hired. I will be preparing taxes once again this coming tax season and will serve as the site lead at the Wellington location. I am currently working on starting up a coffee and ice cream shop on the West Side that would ideally serve as a safe hangout spot for local youths as well as train young adults in job skills.
How I build capacity: The Café I am working on establishing will provide a stable revenue source for Matthew 25 while training local youths in necessary job skills and giving them a safe and fun (and delicious) environment to hang out with their peers.
Fun fact about me: I attended a taping of the Jerry Springer Show. I managed to escape unharmed.