Vista Worker Wants Impact To Last

At the age of 24, Jeff Gombosky is hoping to leave a legacy to northeast Spokane.

Working out of an office at the Northeast Community Center, Gombosky is an Americorps/VISTA employee involved in various community projects funded by a federal grant.

His biggest effort so far has been to invigorate the Institute for Neighborhood Leadership, a program that offers residents the training they need to play a larger role in their community. Training in the free seven-week leadership course ranges from public speaking to conflict resolution.

The city’s North Side is not foreign territory for Gombosky.

He graduated from Mead High School in 1989 and formerly worked summers as a lifeguard at the Hillyard and Witter pools.

Gombosky’s work at the community center offers him an opportunity not just to provide a service now but to build a lasting neighborhood structure.

“It’s always a question,” Gombosky said. “Once the VISTAs are gone, does the program continue? The institute is one thing we hope is going to be lasting.”

The Leadership Institute has already received $10,000 in grants to sustain it for at least another year.

Though he would like to continue his work on the Leadership Institute as well as other projects, his tenure with Americorps expires next month. A proposal for an extension is on hold, pending the budget talks between the White House and Congress.

In addition to graduating from Mead High, where his wife now works as an English teacher, Gombosky was on the debate team at Spokane Falls Community College and earned a degree in government from Eastern Washington University.

His Americorps salary is $7,000 for the year. Gombosky also receives a $4,725 voucher for additional educational benefits or to settle past loans.

“Mine is going to debt,” he said. “So it’s spent as soon as I get it. It goes from VISTA to me to Sallie Mae.”

Trying to organize neighborhoods and people has reminded Gombosky of the enormous time and energy burdens on individuals. Between work and family, there just isn’t a lot of time left for community, he said.

“I have a different appreciation for the complexity of it,” he said.

For the most, however, people are eager to give of themselves, “if you just ask,” he said.

“They’re willing to participate, but you have to ask and you have to talk about an issue they care about.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo