AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Isela Walldez

Isela Walldez, from West Covina, Calif., is a member of Maple 2 in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start her 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 2 is made up of nine people from across the country, and they are serving together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region throughout their term.

“I felt like (NCCC) would give me a sense of direction as well as an opportunity to find hidden skills and talents within myself,” Isela said, when asked why she joined NCCC. “I think being challenged and put out of my comfort zone, I'll be able to see what I really have inside me.” She also felt like after college, she wasn’t ready to start a career and needed a way to do something different.

Isela brings several skills with her to NCCC, which help her be successful throughout her term with the program. She has experience with construction and manual labor through volunteering previously with Habitat for Humanity. She also has strong skills in English through her degree, and feels that she can help others improve in English as well.

Prior to joining NCCC, Isela graduated from California State University of Long Beach in May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English for creative writing and English literature. She also graduated from Bishop Amat Memorial High School in 2007. After finishing the program, Isela is considering getting certified to teach English overseas.

Isela’s commitment to service was something she learned from her parents. “My parents have always been actively involved with our local parish,” she said, “and because of this I grew up understanding the importance of service and duty to others. I learned that a community always takes care of each other in their good and bad times. Community and service have been ingrained in me.”

Maple 2 is currently serving from October 21 to November 2 with Camp Whitcomb Mason in Hartland, Wis. The team is assisting the camp, which is a part of the Boys and Girls Club, with cabin and property repairs such as timber stand improvement in the forest and waterfront clearing. By completing the property repairs, the team is enhancing the overall environmental landscape of the camp and ensuring that visitors are able to continue to use the area for environmental education and recreation.

Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Isela Walldez

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