Sociology Alum Goes West with AmeriCorps After Graduation

By Christina Escamilla ’14
Ohio University Alum

Since graduation I committed to a year of service as an AmeriCorps Vista with YWCA Billings. If you are not familiar with AmeriCorps Vista, our mission is to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

This was my recent volunteer experience, Oct. 18, called “Refresh the Rims,” with a gorgeous view, so I had no problem picking up trash to preserve its beauty.

I relocated to Billings, MT, and having lived in Ohio my entire life it has been a significant change. YWCA’s mission is to save and change lives, by improving the lives of women and children through programs that positively impact the community.

I recently launched a campaign “Step Up to End Violence,” for domestic violence awareness month. It is also my responsibility to create and launch sustainable volunteer recruitment and retention, financial, and a community collaborations plan. In my free time I enjoy volunteering with different organizations in the community. I am also a member of the Billings Citizens Police Academy.

I had no definite plan after graduation. All I knew is that I wanted to experience what the rest of the United States had to offer, specifically the West. I am enjoying my journey.

Escamilla earned a B.A. in Sociology-Criminology from the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio University.