Serve Philadelphia VISTAs Strengthen Access and Outreach at OIA

Inside City Hall, the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) crafts programs and policies to strengthen the well-being of all immigrant communities in the City. In August 2024, with plans to expand their capacity, OIA brought on two Serve Philadelphia VISTAs, Rob Brown and Haby Sow, both volunteering to assist the early phases of two strategic projects. One concentrated on improving the digital availability of their language access tools. The other coordinating the Welcoming Network launch.

Rob, the Language Access VISTA, set focus on developing a digital toolbox. The goal is to enhance how the Language Access team provides its in-demand services.

He partnered with his supervisor, Kahlil Thomas, Translation Quality Coordinator, to turn big ideas into clear, repeatable processes. Kahlil's strong vision and deep knowledge, paired with Rob's talent for creating concrete systems, were key.

The documentation Rob created on the tools and services used will make it easier for people to access the tools and services that make Philadelphia a leader in language access.

Rob approached his VISTA year with consideration. As the first VISTA of this three-year project, he knew his contributions would affect what followed.

"It wasn't about finding something to fix," Rob said. "It was about understanding how the tools and services work, who they are for, and how to make them last." He aimed to leave behind something practical and ready for others to build upon.

He asked thoughtful, practical questions: Who are these tools for? How will they be maintained? What happens after he leaves?

At the same time, Haby Sow stepped into the Welcoming Network VISTA role. Her focus was to assist in building reliable systems that foster strong partnerships.

The Welcoming Network is a cross-sector collaboration of public and private partners dedicated to supporting the success of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Philadelphia. It is supported by the City's Office of Immigrant Affairs. The purpose is to develop a mechanism for coordinating the efforts of many partners who are ready and willing to support immigrant communities as they arrive and resettle into our city.

"Haby brought a new point of view," said Zuhail Corro-Vazquez, Project Manager for the Welcoming Network. "She was never afraid to share her ideas or speak up." Haby empathetically balanced varying perspectives, shifting priorities, and evolving community needs.

She listened closely to members in the Network's working groups. Then, she built a community-centered resource guide and helped organize a video series. This series is still in development. Much like Rob, her efforts lay important groundwork for the project's remaining years.

The VISTAS often found opportunities to team up. Together, they reviewed outreach materials. Some of their joint efforts on flyers expanded the available language options from five to ten.

Rob and Haby illustrate how collaboration impacts change. They both define their service year not only by what they built but also by who they built alongside. The pair expressed how meaningful it was to be in a VISTA cohort. How much they learned from each other and were able to make a difference.

They showcase that being a VISTA is not about checking off tasks. It's about constructing long-lasting infrastructure for offices like OIA to support a more welcoming city. Their VISTA year may be ending, but their impact will continue to benefit the office and people around Philadelphia.

Thank you, Rob and Haby, for your energy, insight, and commitment!