Raven Luciano-DeSmith moved to Coeur d’Alene in March 2022 after graduating from high school and was looking for an opportunity to serve her community. She was looking for a sense of purpose when a relative came across the Housing and Talent Associate AmeriCorps VISTA position with the Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corporation (CDA EDC) and recommended Raven apply.
Raven began her AmeriCorps service November 2022. After her VISTA orientation and CDA EDC onboarding, she was immediately invited to engage in learning and development opportunities. Loren Whitten-Kaboth, site supervisor for CDA EDC, took Raven to a meeting with Connect Kootenai, which happened to be her first-ever professional meeting.
This was a challenging experience. She was the youngest person in the room, new to her position and worried she would say the wrong thing or not know the answer to a question. However, because she would be working with Kootenai Connect staff about the housing crisis, she was able to meet with them and share information about her position. She was encouraged and supported throughout the meeting and was excited to be invited to Connect Kootenai’s board meeting with the executive director. This gave her the opportunity to expand her understanding of the work and partnership.
Raven’s AmeriCorps service focuses on updating the Affordable and Available Housing Study, researching housing initiatives and helping coordinate the Talent Management Pipeline program. She is currently collaborating with University of Idaho professor Steven Peterson and the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance to update the housing study to analyze the region's housing challenges in the face of a limited supply along with sharply increasing demand.
Though the study examines housing needs at all levels of income, its primary focus is on middle-income Kootenai County households. The study is intended to provide an understanding of the needs so stakeholders in the region can develop solutions and change the trajectory of Kootenai County’s housing crisis. Through this work, Raven has an opportunity to work with experts in the field and glean best practices around research, data analysis and reporting.
Through her service, she gained confidence in her communication skills, especially in a professional environment. She feels there is still room for improvement in different areas and can rely on mentorship from her site supervisor and other professionals. This work has provided her with a variety of experiences and opportunities that have, ultimately, connected her to the community and has given her the sense of purpose she was seeking.
Raven begins community college this fall and is planning on serving a second year as the housing and talent associate. Her long-term plan is to attend medical school and study dermatology or cosmetic chemistry.
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