Josh Gimenez is a Cooking Matters Coordinator VISTA for the Indy Hunger Network. Josh is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While in school, Josh interned at the Grand Avenue Club, a clubhouse focused on building vocational skills and social support systems for adults living with mental illness. He also worked as a Community Integration Specialist, assisting young adults with autism in achieving independent living.

As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Josh is looking forward to new challenges and hopes to learn more about the Indianapolis area to better serve its communities and create sustainable, long-term change in food security. In the future, he hopes to complete a second VISTA term, followed by Peace Corps service, and eventually return to school to get his Master of Social Work.

Caleb Kulinski is a Cooking Matters Coordinator VISTA for the Indy Hunger Network. Originally from Wisconsin, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies from Coe College in 2018. During college, Caleb became interested in non-governmental organizations and nonprofit work. In 2017, he studied abroad in India, where he worked with three local nonprofits providing supplementary educational services to the surrounding community.

As graduation approached, Caleb looked for a position with either AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps that would allow him to further pursue his interest in nonprofit work. When he saw the VISTA position, he was immediately interested in IHN’s vital work. After his year as a VISTA, Caleb hopes to pursue a Master of Public Affairs or related degree, with the intention of continuing to work on critical issues facing society.

Joel Landis is the Indy Food Council VISTA with the City of Indianapolis. He grew up in Harrisburg, PA, and his interest in food access began at his local Habitat for Humanity, where he created a project to obtain cooking appliances for families who did not have access to them. He then moved to Tri County Community Action, where he co-created a network of community gardeners, stakeholders, and activists to support gardening in low to moderate income neighborhoods.

While Joel is serving his VISTA term with the City’s Office of Public Health and Safety, he’s excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the Indy Hunger Network VISTAs to help make Indianapolis a healthier, greener, and more food secure place to live.

Kristen Osborne is the Outreach Program Coordinator VISTA at Connect2Help211. She is originally from Wise, Virginia, and spent most of her life in the small rural town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in music therapy in 2017, after which she spent six months in Bar Harbor, Maine, working with older adults as a music therapy intern. She passed her certification exam in February 2018, making her a Board-Certified Music Therapist.

When Kristen felt moved to join AmeriCorps as a VISTA, she found the Connect2Help211 outreach position, and it instantly moved to the top of her preference list. Kristen plans to stay in AmeriCorps for two years. During her current service year, she is hoping to gain networking, communication and project management skills.

Pam Sadlo is the Health and Wellness Coordinator VISTA for CICOA through the Indy Hunger Network. She graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in economics and spent more than a decade in the pharmaceutical industry, working on process and information technology systems. Pam’s six years volunteering with the Shepherd Community Center’s Food Pantry gave her insight into many of the challenges faced by those who need assistance as well as the providers. She decided to change directions and pursue an AmeriCorps assignment.

In this role with CICOA, Pam will help address hunger and wellness barriers facing older adults, including non-English speakers of the community.

Edward Sanders is the Grant Writer and Data Analyst VISTA for CICOA through the Indy Hunger Network, working to secure more funding and manage data in order to better serve older adults who have limited access to nutritious food. Edward earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Georgia. After working at Rainbow Omega, a nonprofit for adults with developmental disabilities in Anniston, Alabama, Edward realized that true fulfillment comes from helping others and believes that the AmeriCorps program is an excellent gateway into a career of service. After his term with AmeriCorps, Edward would like to continue a career of service and return to school for a master’s degree in data analytics.

Alex Sindorf is Indy Hunger Network’s Food Systems Coordinator VISTA. While studying for a Bachelor of Science in urban community development in Portland, Oregon, Alex took a class on food ethics and has been involved with food-related work ever since. During college, she volunteered for three years with a nonprofit building and maintaining community farms in food deserts. She also studied in East Africa, where she apprenticed on a livestock farm and worked alongside local growers.

After graduating, Alex completed a 14-month internship with a nonprofit research and demonstration farm in Florida, where she managed a portion of the farm and led a program offering support and networking to local community gardens. She has also worked on an organic dairy farm in New York. Alex loves growing food, but her interest in food and farming stems from her concern for communities lacking access to good food. She wants to work toward a food system that is sustainable and equitable, and this motivation is what led Alex to work with the Indy Hunger Network, where she can creatively and collaboratively respond to food insecurity.

Madeline Steck is the Nutrition Programs Coordinator VISTA for the Indy Hunger Network. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and psychology from Texas A&M University. Throughout college, her studies focused on how race and gender influence people’s lives, and these courses led her to begin volunteering with the Brazos Valley Food Bank. As part of a national service organization, Madeline coordinated activities with many local organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club, city government and Girl Scouts. As part of her capstone experience, Madeline also spent two semesters in Moscow, Russia, taking courses at Moscow State University. 

After working as a VISTA, Madeline hopes to attend graduate school for a Master of Public Policy with a focus on women’s studies and civil rights.