Ryan Verstraete, VISTA Leader
As AmeriCorps VISTA Leader for the Rural Opportunity Program, Ryan coordinates with the Michigan Main Street Center and the Council of Michigan Foundations to ensure that the VISTA Members can serve in addressing poverty in Michigan’s rural communities. Through this program, 10 AmeriCorps VISTA members will build capacity within their organizations by expanding an existing program or creating a new program from the ground up. Ryan creates webinars, leads trainings, manages logistics and provides general support for the VISTA Members, some of which are new to service or the community.
Ryan has completed two terms of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) before beginning school at Lansing Community College. In their previous years of service, they connected with communities around the country and learned many insightful skills. They have received awards for outstanding leadership, innovation and service. Ryan will resume school after their year of service, focusing on geography and urban planning.
Ryan has extensive experience in direct service across many areas of community and environmental need. They have dedicated their career to improving the responsibility of food systems, both local and global.
Ryan uses neutral pronouns they/them/their.