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Recent News from VISTA Corridor Recovery
Building Integrity through Neighborhood Preservation
– Recognizing Mound View as a Historical District –
It goes unbeknownst to some that where we live eventually becomes a representation of us. On a continuum of no influence at all to the state of positively or adversely affecting us, the environment and its attributes gradually factors into the dynamics of our involvement and interaction with those within and outside the area we live in, and with our behaviors towards the world around us. Known as the ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ philosophy, it is a wonder where we lie on the continuum and what we as individuals do about it.
Fortunately, however, many choose to represent the environment in which they live instead of being represented. By stepping off the continuum, they choose to refuse to accept the conditions of the neighborhood they live in; and by idealizing and dreaming of what state of livelihood would benefit them and others, they proceed forward with the knowledge that we must nurture nature so that nature can nurture us.
Such is the action being taken by the locals who live within Mound View. A neighborhood since the early 20th century, many of the homes in this area have historical prominence and are in fact key features in setting the tone for the neighborhood. Being the place where the American icon Grant Wood grew up and ran around as a child, preserving this neighborhood has become a great endeavor for the residents of Mound view as they understand that maintaining this neighborhood will protect all that is good – a neighborhood that has great potential for peaceful and tranquil living. With many buildings being destroyed, however, their dream for neighborhood integrity is being threatened.
To keep the atmosphere of the neighborhood, back in 1994 a state and nationally recognized historian, Marlys Svendsen, was asked to conduct an intensive survey on Mound View. Three hundred pages long with property descriptions and photos of houses, this report laid out the historical background of the neighborhood. Now, with a budget that allows for the hiring of a grant writer and the hiring of yet another historian to update the report from ‘94, Mound View is once again making the efforts in getting the neighborhood that they live in to be recognized as a historical district. In achieving such a monumental achievement, the neighborhood of Mound View, by being recognized by the State Historical Society, would make it very difficult for surrounding developments to encroach upon Mound View. In essence, Mound View and its history would survive, allowing for the nurturing of the neighborhood to continue and for the environment to make its inhabitants proud.
In part of this endeavor, other steps being taken are the hiring of a graphic designer to create an outstanding brochure that depicts the details of Mound View, and the redefining of the website by a web programmer. With the writing done by the grant writer seeking additional funds, the distribution of this brochure and other means for informing the public and tourists about Mound View is the crucial objective. Looking to accomplish everything by this winter’s end, Mound View has many mounds to overcome. But with the perseverance this neighborhood has shown, there are reasons to believe they will actualize their dream and someday soon step back onto the continuum….and pick ‘Being Nurtured’.
By Daniel Young
BEAUTIFICATION DAY
The CCIA AmeriCorps*VISTA program is hosting Wellington Heights Beautification Day on Friday, June 18th, from 8 am to 5 pm. Through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, First Lutheran Church, and St. Paul's United Methodist Church, community members will work to improve the appearance of the Wellington Heights neighborhood area in southeast Cedar Rapids by painting homes, removing litter, and repairing minor damage to home exteriors.
The goal, according to Beautification Day Coordinator Rhonda Farmer, is to raise the "curb appeal" of the area, creating a more visually pleasing atmosphere. "We want to make the entire Wellington Heights neighborhood litter-free for a week," Farmer said. VISTA is expecting between 50 and 100 volunteers, depending on weather, to complete projects for nine families in the neighborhood.
After the work is done, Beautification Day will wrap up with live music in Redmond Park by local acts Rhythmxity, Rachel Stickley, and Tony T, starting at 5:30 pm. There is no charge for admission and everyone is welcome!
If you would like to volunteer, or would like any additional information about Beautification Day, please call Rhonda Farmer at 319-540-4810. We hope to see you there!
By: Ryan Gentzler
Welcoming New Faces
I found them in the Wellington Heights neighborhood. They were three young adults looking for a good time, alternating between driving around and poking about houses and properties that didn’t belong to them. Does their family know where they are—what they are doing? I asked them.
“They’re chill about it. They’re whatever,” said one. “A little iffy. My Dad was definitely against it, but when he found out what I was doing he was all for it,” said another.
They are no menace to society; rather, quite the opposite. They are self-proclaimed outgoing over-achievers with a drive for volunteer service and good times. At VISTA Corridor Recovery, we recognize them as summer VISTAs.
The VISTA Summer Associates, Megan Wolette, Jay Giefer, and Myra Hangartner, are in Cedar Rapids for 8-10 weeks and will be mostly working under the supervision of Ann Davidson with the BRIGHTEN project. “We’ll be painting, scraping, whatever needs to be done. If they need their yard mowed, we’ll go and do that. Maybe even do some gardening,” remarked Megan.
The new “summers” are well-acquainted with service work and are ambitiously pursuing higher education. Jay volunteered as a summer VISTA in 2009, working primarily in the field. After his term was complete, he returned to California State University, Monterey Bay to continue schooling for business; his passion for business only overshadowed by his love for cars and racing. Upon completion of this summer term, he plans to return to Monterey for school in the fall.
Myra is a graduate student studying mental health counseling at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Despite her love for outdoor recreation, particularly swimming and biking, Myra decided not to make it a full-time summer career choice and took advantage of her summer vacation to volunteer in the summer VISTA position.
When the flood crested in June of 2008, Myra saw and felt the effects of the risen waters, living in Cedar Falls at the time. “I had to miss work three days in a row because we were flooded… I was staying at a friends’ house in Finchford, an unincorporated town, and they weren't affected only because they lived at the top of a hill, but everyone below was flooded. The neighbors were staying at our place and it was like a big party. But it got really boring. As soon as the water went down, I was happy to go to work. I was so stir-crazy.”
Megan is an upcoming senior studying biochemistry at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. She volunteered with her cross country team immediately after the flood in 2008 and helped to renovate a Cedar Rapids’ church. “I saw all the damage that happened and I was awe-struck by it; I never saw something that bad before. I wanted to come back and see how it changed and I then got this opportunity… Just seeing the difference from then and now is amazing—the progress made.”
The VISTA Corridor Flood Recovery Summer Associate Program is designed to assist in disaster relief areas in Eastern Iowa, aiding low-income individuals and communities in recovering from the severe flooding that struck Linn and Johnson counties. The Summer Associates will be allotted a living stipend for the duration of their 8-10 week term plus a choice of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college or pay back student loans, or an end of service monetary stipend.
Megan, Jay, and Myra: Welcome aboard and thank you for agreeing to spend the next two and a half months with the VISTA Corridor Recovery program!
By: Renae Hyronimus
Volunteers Still Enthusiastic Two Years After The Flood
To witness the selfless act of an individual who is willing to provide a service without compensation, and probably little recognition, is a wonderful thing. The city of Cedar Rapids has been fortunate to be witness to thousands of these individuals in the months following the Flood of 2008, and continuing.
The national buzz the flood created was reason enough for hundreds of volunteers to choose to donate their time and efforts in restoring the lives of many Cedar Rapids residents. However two years later, there are no Cedar Rapids headlines on national outlets pages, and there is no “call” for volunteers to flock to Cedar Rapids even though the rebuilding efforts continues.
Yet, a great number of amazing individuals continue to come from near and far, donating their time to this great cause. “I was here for a few days last year; I have more time in the summers so I like to help as much as I can. It’s always an enjoyable time” describes one group leader. Another volunteer, who travels independently from area to area to volunteer, seconded that sentiment, “I’ve been to Tennessee and Mississippi to volunteer before I came here. The best part about volunteering is that I can make a positive impact on other people’s lives. For me, it’s all about labor and love.”
By: Kody Thompson
Celebrating The Two Year Anniversary With A Run
On Saturday June 12, 2010 Cedar Rapids will be holding its second annual Run the Flood race. Almost two years to the day of the anniversary of the devastating flood of 2008, the downtown area will be packed with runners and spectators on Saturday morning to raise awareness and money for the flood recovery effort. The Run the Flood race offers runners a choice of two courses a 7 mile and a 2.5 run/walk course. The 7-mile course allows runners to see the route of the flood and the 2.5 mile course will have educational displays with photos to describe the flood.
The money raised from the event will be donated to various flood relief organizations in the city of Cedar Rapids including Block by Block and Habitat for Humanity. Last year over 2,000 people ran the courses, which raised $47,000 for the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Flood 2008. Hopefully this year’s event will raise more money for the flood recovery effort.
A only a few VISTAs chose to run the Run the Flood race last year, but this year about 10 VISTAs are signed up to run both the 7-mile and 2.5-mile course. They view the rigorous course through downtown as a physical challenge, but also a great way to support the flood recovery cause they have dedicated their last year serving. Casey Westlake, a VISTA working with Block by Block, spent her early childhood in Cedar Rapids. “I spent the first 8 years of my life in Cedar Rapids, and coming back as a VISTA has been both challenging and rewarding. Tomorrow is an opportunity to reflect on the city's past; celebrate the volunteers, community members and organizations that are giving the city a brighter future; and most importantly, to show my love and support of my fellow Cedar Rapidians,” Weslake said.
MaryAlice O’Connor, an East Coast native, first arrived in Iowa just a few days before the epic flood. She was living in Vinton working for AmeriCorps NCCC. Her experience in that program inspired her to become a VISTA one year later. O’Connor said, “I arrived in Iowa exactly two years ago this week and have been working in some aspect of flood recovery since then... this event is not only out undertaking a personal and physical challenge for myself, but also about remembering how much has been done- and how much is still left to be accomplished.”
For the VISTAs and the community tomorrow will serve as a reminder of that awful day two years ago, but it will also be a chance to celebrate the accomplishments the city has made in the last two years.
By: Lauren Yergeau