This fall, Vermont Adult Learning participated in the Community Roots Apprentice Fellowship (CRAF), an initiative of the New Perennials Project that pairs students with local organizations to build meaningful community connections. This was the third semester of the fellowship and included five student–practitioner pairings. Alongside VAL, participating organizations included Otter Creek Yoga, Caleb Kenna Photography, The Townhall Theater, and Middlebury Area Land Trust.
Middlebury College student Elia Meyer-Arrivillaga chose to work with Vermont Adult Learning, drawn by a desire to feel more rooted in the Middlebury community. In her application, Elia reflected on the importance of community in her life and her hope to build connections beyond campus while in Vermont, writing:
“I have recently been reflecting on how, although I feel at home on the Middlebury campus, I am not yet involved with the surrounding town, which makes it difficult to feel rooted in Vermont. I have lived in Durham, North Carolina, my whole life and am strongly connected to the place. I went to a Quaker school that had a strong emphasis on community, and all my activities, like dance, club volleyball, and Quaker meeting, were in Durham. I am drawn to CRAF because I already know the importance of community, and I miss feeling deeply rooted in a place. I hope to build community and connection for myself and others in this area.”
During the semester, Elia collaborated with Addison County Regional Director Natalie Reigle on a science-focused project aligned with her academic interests as a science major. She learned about VAL’s Adult Diploma Program and scientific proficiencies, met weekly with Natalie to explore opportunities at Middlebury College, and helped assess which experiences would be a good fit for adult learners. Elia also supported outreach by sharing information about VAL and gauging student interest in science-related projects.
In addition to her project work, Elia joined an English Language Learning class, attended a STEM Collaborative Team meeting, and participated in Addison County’s Fall Kick-Off Meeting. Her connection to VAL’s mission was personal as well as academic. Her mother immigrated to the United States from Guatemala and learned English as an adult through a program like Vermont Adult Learning.
As Elia wraps up her fellowship, she will be studying abroad in Ecuador next semester. We are grateful for her thoughtful contributions and the perspective she brought to our work, and we wish her all the best in her continued studies!