Over LaTasha’s four years of AmeriCorps service, her experience has been aided by her ability to connect deeply with individuals from different backgrounds, ages, and beliefs. 

LaTasha’s service began at the Westerville Food Pantry in Columbus, Ohio, where she tackled food insecurity among high school and elementary students. 

“Westerville Food Pantry created a haven for high school and elementary students to get chef's table food provided to them at discretionary use,” she recalls. The pantry maintained the students' dignity by providing unlabeled food bags, fostering an inclusive environment where children from different backgrounds could access nutritious food without stigma. LaTasha played a crucial role in building these pantries inside the schools and setting up an online ordering system to ensure accessibility. 

Her support extended to the pantry’s expansion efforts, including clothing stores funded by donations from local businesses like Walmart. “I helped write grants and connected with the community to plan for future expansions, including a clothing drive to meet additional needs.”

LaTasha’s next assignment brought her to Central Community House in Columbus, where she addressed the challenges of gentrification and supported small businesses. 

“I assisted residents in navigating the pressures of gentrification and worked to ensure they could remain in their homes.” 

Currently, LaTasha is serving with Us Together in Toledo, Ohio, where she is dedicated to addressing the needs of low-income immigrant communities. One of her standout projects connects immigrants with an innovative urban farm operated by youth aged five to eighteen. 

“The urban farm is absolutely amazing. It is run by the youth, and they get hands-on experience. After completing the program, the youth have the opportunity to apply for grants to build their mini urban farms, either on their land or through partnerships with the land bank.” 

This initiative not only provides immigrants with access to fresh produce but also empowers young people by giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility. 

In addition to this project, LaTasha is committed to securing essential funding and resources to support immigrant families. Her efforts include obtaining a permanent English teacher for the program to aid in language acquisition and integration. For LaTasha, it’s all about fostering an environment where immigrants can thrive and feel a part of their new community. 

“I am so honored to be a part of this program.”

LaTasha service reflects AmeriCorps' core values: bridging divides, building relationships, and fostering a spirit of collaboration. Through her wide range of experiences, she has demonstrated the power of empathy and collective action in creating meaningful change and promoting unity. 

Her collaborative spirit has not only brought people together but also engaged them in the process of creating a better community.