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Help Me Rhonda
The advent of the Internet has allowed people to reach others in ways that previously seemed impossible. With just a keyboard and a reliable connection, you can access the world, and in turn, the world can access you.
Through this Web site plus a Facebook page and Twitter account, VISTA Corridor Recovery has taken its message to reach the widest audience possible. But not everyone has gotten the message yet, according to VISTA Lead Rhonda Farmer, who said a couple of community leaders she’s talked to weren’t familiar with the program.
“If they’re not familiar with them, then the people that work with them are also not informed,” she said. “I just want to make sure that everyone who could possibly be involved and that everyone who needs help knows that there’s help available.”
So on Valentine’s Day, Farmer took to the airwaves to discuss the VISTA program and other Community Corrections Improvement Association-run initiatives in a half-hour program that aired on Cedar Rapids-based Internet station Urban Cool Radio.
“It was a really good segment,” she said. “We talked a lot about ways that people can help, and ways that we can help others.”
Farmer is now in talks with the organizers of Urban Cool Radio about hosting a show on a weekly basis focusing on community activities for the station, which in addition to public affairs plays a wide array of music such as R&B, funk, jazz, gospel and blues.
“I’ve listened to the radio station, it’s a pretty cool radio station,” said Farmer, adding she got the idea after speaking to Dr. Damian Epps, senior pastor at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids. “He suggested that most of his parishioners listen to Urban Cool Radio, they don’t listen to a lot of the regular stations on the radio.”
While Farmer is looking to target the African-American community, she also hopes to get people interested in helping AmeriCorps and its message.
“I’d really like to see some volunteers in here from the community. I know people have skills and that kind of thing,” said Farmer. “I think the statistic is that 80 percent of people volunteer if asked. And if we’re not asking them, because they’re not listening and we don’t know how to get in touch with them, you can’t ask them.”
As for those in need of help, Farmer wants to reach them too.
“Some people are just very determined to do things on their own, and they struggle and struggle, but we’re here to help them,” she said.
By: Brian Siguenza