Jazelle Thomas, a senior marketing major at Wichita State, is gaining marketing experience by connecting the community to resources that promote children's wellbeing.

“I want to make sure what I needed as a child, they get it,” says Jazelle.

Jazelle is a paid volunteer stationed at the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center as the VISTA Youth Advocacy Coalition Coordinator for the City of Wichita.

AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to eliminate poverty. Jazelle's job consists of coordinating meetings with organizations that have initiatives to make the community safer for children.

“We make sure that we can get the word out on any organization that has something to do with keeping children off the streets and out of trouble,” says Jazelle.

Her job is to make sure that they are a resource for all different types of children with different types of issues. That could be mental health, food, clothes, drug prevention, etc.

Early in her college career, Jazelle knew that gaining experience would make her a good candidate for future jobs. She has also worked for Kansas Council for Economic Education, Network Kansas and Campus Credit Union.

Jazelle also spends her time working on her own online company called JBYS CREATIONS, which stands for “just be yourself.” There she will release her T-shirt line along with other special creations and hopes to be ready in time for Black Friday.

Jazelle hopes to use her experiences to land a job in the marketing field after she graduates.