Spotlights: Alum, Leaders & Partners

Our community has grown with each passing year, beginning in rural Pennsylvania and quickly extending across the globe. In this series, we glimpse into the lives of some of the people who make up the diverse VISIONS community and hear how VISIONS fits into their bigger picture.

Do you have a VISIONS story that you would like to share? Our international community would love to hear from you! Click here to share your story!

Spotlight: Aspen Nord (Participant Photographer)

Spotlight: Aspen Nord (Participant Photographer)

“I will often choose to set my camera down for special moments, but I love capturing real, raw images of people living their life.” VISIONS Peru participant Aspen Nord talks photography and hopes for the future.

Beyond the Vote | Preparing Next-Gen Citizens

Beyond the Vote | Preparing Next-Gen Citizens

Many VISIONS participants go on to embrace a life of awareness and engagement — with voting just one of countless ways they contribute to the communities where they live. We encourage you to get out and VOTE.

Full Circle | 30 Year Reunion

Full Circle | 30 Year Reunion

In August, 50 veteran leaders and directors gathered in Bozeman, MT, for our 30-year reunion weekend. They came from all parts of the country and represented summer programs across our entire history. It was a celebration of community and connections that transcended the years.

Helping Young People Soar

Helping Young People Soar

This summer, we were honored to be one of two organizations selected to host a Custom Program. Fourteen Summer Search students from Seattle (and three VISIONS leaders) spent 15 days in southeastern Montana with the Northern Cheyenne people.

VISIONS Director Alberto Ramos: Lion’s Club Member of the Year

VISIONS Director Alberto Ramos: Lion’s Club Member of the Year

In 1996, Alberto joined VISIONS officially as a member of the leader team, and he’s been the D.R. director for more than 15 years. He also moved from child of Lions Club members to being a member himself, serving as club president and treasurer for several years.

Spotlight: Madison Asher

Spotlight: Madison Asher

Twelve years since her experience in Peru, Madison fills us in on what her life looks like now. “My friends used to play the “find something Madison can’t turn positive” game. They almost always lost…”

Spotlight: Danielle Parga

Spotlight: Danielle Parga

Twelve years since her trip to Peru, Danielle fills us in on what her life looks like now. “I went on to study Latin American art history and archaeology in college, and I was able to pull from my VISIONS experience to fill in the gaps…”

Spotlight: Emma Solferino

Spotlight: Emma Solferino

Today we hear directly from British Virgin Islands participant Emma about her daily life and her takeaways from the Caribbean… “I strive to smile frequently and try to make people laugh through (not so great, admittedly) jokes, so day to day I’m pretty happy…”

Spotlight: Kristin O’Donoghue

Spotlight: Kristin O’Donoghue

Kristin shares her hopes for the future and explains how international community service fits in… “I would like to break down barriers of judgment that we have created for ourselves, that prohibit us from understanding one another and from making change…”

Spotlight: Marvin Mastin

Spotlight: Marvin Mastin

When Marvin enters the room, the world gets a little brighter… “In my life I would like to create dialogue between people/groups. Everything starts with an interaction between two parties. VISIONS taught me that I only skimmed the surface of what there is to learn, share and discover…”