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Community Corner

Vista Members Changing the World "One Book at a Time"

Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”  Rachel Goodman and Anna Kaplowitz have been changing the world one book and one magazine at a time.  These two active and committed Vista Outreach Members have been volunteering at Middlesex Hospital every Tuesday morning for 2 1/2 years.  They are among the over 500 volunteers at the Hospital and its various facilities.  Vista Job Developer Ellen Platteborze developed this unique volunteer opportunity for Anna and Rachel and it has been a wonderful partnership.  Anna is in charge of taking the book cart to patient rooms and Rachel handles the magazines and other reading materials in the waiting rooms. 

Anna and Rachel both love their volunteer jobs at the Hospital.  They like being independent and working without a job coach.   Anna says, “I like going to rooms to give out books and magazines because I get to see other people and help them.” Rachel says, “I am proud to be a volunteer because I help people out.”  Both Outreach Members have learned a lot from this valuable volunteer experience. Anna and Rachel value the skills they have learned through working at the hospital and they like feeling as though they have made a difference in the world. The story of these two active and committed Vista members is a great inspiration for us all to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” 

Based in Madison and Westbrook, CT, Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center is a 501©3 nonprofit organization.  Vista’s mission is to provide services and resources on an individualized basis to assist adults with disabilities to live independent and successful lives. 

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For more information regarding Vista, please visit www.vistavocational.org

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