AmeriCorps Alums You Should Know: Isabel Thottam
Student, Volunteer, Writer, Entrepreneur, Runner
-AmeriCorps VISTA at Hard Hatted Women in Cleveland, OH June 2010 - August 2010
-Currently serving as a Student Leader in Service at Emerson College
I started getting involved with AmeriCorps after having such a wonderful experience working with members in the field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I was in Iowa on an alternative spring break trip through Emerson College. I was unaware of AmeriCorps, but learned about the mission and work they do when in Iowa. I was so moved by the people we worked with and how committed they were to helping others - it really inspired me to want to work with AmeriCorps and become more active in my communities back home in OH, and in my new home in Boston!
I served with Hard Hatted Women (HHW) in Cleveland, OH because I was interested in learning about women in the workforce. Though I didn't have much experience, I knew a bit about grant writing and writing press releases, which HHW needed help with. I also was interested in working with the Rosie's Girl's camp, but there wasn't an opening. However, since I am a film student, I was able to help the camp out by recording a short promotional video for them. This was my most memorable moment - I went to a few of their camp activities and filmed the girls working together - I watched a young girl change the tire on a car, it was incredible and so inspiring!
Currently, I'm a second semester senior at Emerson, so I'll be graduating in December 2012. I run my own for-profit business, Hold On Another Day, which works with non-profit organizations to translate their cause into a positive, compilation CD. The music on our CDs is composed and donated by independent artists, so we also offer rising musicians the chance to use their music for good while simultaneously gaining exposure. My company follows a one for one business model, so for every CD sold, we donate one to someone in a stressful situation in need of a pick me up. In this case, hope comes in the form of a mixtape.
I am also applying for a Fulbright Grant to travel to Bangalore, India in August 2013 where I would work to educate underprivileged children about the power of music and help raise awareness for an orphanage by producing a mix CD with these children.
I am working on a documentary crew called The Strong People, which tells the story of a native American tribe, the Kllalm, and their connection to the Elwha Damn Removal project in Port Angeles, WA.
I also oversee Emerson's Alternative Spring Break Program and help students plan and organize a week-long trip of service in various communities.
Learn more and connect with Isabel here:
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