AMELIA GRAVES
My childhood in Vero Beach was the picture of small-town America. Cocooned here in our City by the sea, not much differentiated my existence from that of my friends. We studied hard, did what our parents told us (most of the time), and dreamed of the future. Small towns tend to breed a similar shared vision and definition of success in its offspring. So I left for college with a blueprint of what life was supposed to look like, albeit a singular version of success.
Looking back, I have a place in my heart for the young, naïve, girl that I was at 18 with my mental blueprint. I would create the house with the picket fence, 2.5 kids, a banker for a husband and I would work in public relations or some other line of lighthearted and enjoyable work. Life would be easy. Life would be carefree. I would be immune from the perils of the world. I had myself wrapped in the bubble, until it popped, taking with it my perspective of the world and changing the trajectory of my life forever. I lost my father when he succumbed to AIDS. At 19, I was placed in the position to settle his affairs in Atlanta, which required time away from school, and forced me to grow up quickly.
So there I was at 19, finding things that once mattered no longer seemed important or even seemed frivolous. My priorities irreversibly shifted and knowing the fragility of life, at the end of my days I wanted to look back on a life that was spent in service to others, not to myself. I decided to work towards a career path that could enable me to give of myself in a way that was not measured by material success.
After I graduated from the University of Florida, I came back to Vero and prepared myself to enter the world of humanitarian aid. From what I could gather, teaching English was one of the most valuable skills to offer. This opened new doors creating opportunities for people in developing nations. I took any job I could find in Vero, tutoring, babysitting, pouring lattes at a local coffee shop, to save money for a one way ticket and course fee. I even became a certified first responder so I would have the knowledge and skills in the event of an emergency; I think to ease the anxiety of my family more than myself.
Navigating the crisscross of streets in Thailand was nothing like Florida. In the beginning, I dared not go farther than I could travel by foot. I took the first apartment I could find for $200 a month that was close to where I taught. I wasn’t sure I could tell a taxi in Thai how to get me back home. Before long though I was in the swing of things and picking up Thai from my students and neighbors.
While there I learned of a woman who had given up everything she owned, sold all her possessions, and moved from Australia to Cambodia to open a community center in a slum on the outskirts of Siem Reap. In this place of despair and sickness she created a refuge – it housed a modest clinic, school, vocational and food programs. She had volunteers coming and going, but needed someone to help create an English curriculum, train the incoming volunteers, and assist with administrative tasks so she could focus on her work. She offered me the opportunity to intern at her center and the chance to learn from her. She worked day in and day out expecting nothing in return. Even more promising was seeing the fruition of her efforts- villagers who learned English got jobs in the hospitality industry in Siem Reap and begin to change their socio-economic status.
Wanting to be a little closer to home, due to the health of certain family members, I applied to Manna Project International in Nicaragua to be a Program Director for 13 months. I was chosen with nine other people from around the United States to live and work in Managua, Nicaragua and run programs on the ground. Nothing could prepare me for working in the Managua landfill . Trying to move kids out of a chronic state of malnourishment, when they constantly have parasites, diarrhea, or dengue was a very difficult undertaking.
There was nothing glamorous about being in a landfill – I even had scabies at one point, and pneumonia another. Fires would burn all day amongst the trash. Hard days came often there, sweating it out in a clinic without power. One of those days I enrolled a baby into our program as the mother silently wept upon learning she was HIV positive and could no longer safely breastfeed.
But there where good days as well. Hosting visiting medical teams from the United States for clinics or the success of graduating kids out of the program when they would make weight did not add zeros to my 401K, but built upon my experience in the public health sector, taught me how to critically evaluate where we succeeded and where we were failing, and brought life’s priorities into laser focus.
I supplemented these experiences by the online graduate course work I took in Public Health, through the University of Florida. After returning to the United States I enrolled at Florida Atlantic University to get the science courses I needed to further my education in the Public Health sector, and I am continuing that pursuit to this day.
Success is measured in many ways, and I believe I am succeeding in my ability to continually equip myself to serve others and learn from those around me. This has come with compromises, but also with the knowledge that I can work towards a purpose greater than myself. For that, I am grateful.
Today, I have stepped forward to serve the City of Vero Beach. I have no hidden agenda, wanting only to stand with my hometown to protect our heritage and quality of life. On November 5th I will either be called forward or wish great success to the Council elect, because at the end of the day, the only goal of my campaign, and I hope every candidate’s campaign, is to see a successful and positive future for the residents of the our City by the sea – the City of Vero Beach.
Indian River Guardian 
A beautiful person and a beautiful writer! She is a credit to her generation. and to Vero Beach.
She already has my vote. Please give her your vote.
The 32963 publication should be ashamed of trying to belittle Amelia Graves by judging what she has done in her life up until this point. She has worked tirelessly and selflessly to help others. Working for non-profits and aid organizations requires one to work within a usually very tight budget, while constantly thinking about how to creatively raise funds and diversify your organization’s revenue stream. It takes business sense. I shake my head at the notion that chasing the almighty dollar is the only respectable standard for human beings. It takes all kinds of people to make our world better and we would do well to celebrate and lift up those who think less about themselves and more about others, as does Amelia.
The 32963 publication should be ashamed of trying to belittle Amelia Graves by judging what she has done in her life up until this point. She has worked tirelessly and selflessly to help others. Working for non-profits and aid organizations requires one to work within a usually very tight budget, while constantly thinking about how to creatively raise funds and diversify your organization’s revenue stream. It takes business sense. I shake my head at the notion that chasing the almighty dollar is the only respectable standard for human beings. It takes all kinds of people to make our world better and we would do well to celebrate and lift up those who think less about themselves and more about others.
I hope the new generation of Vero arrives on November 5th. You have accomplished so much and done so much good in your life ;it is remarkable. I hope you bring the same selfless sacrifice to our city council. We need more people like you in government.
You got my vote!
Amelia, you have filled in a lot of holes that no one can dig up again. Thank you for your honesty. You are not alone in your generation. Many, given the greed and mis-management of our materialistic society, have gone elsewhere in the world to help. We are lucky to have you here in Vero. I hope that you and your global perspective will lead us to a better place. I voted for you with my absentee ballot.
Amelia will be a great asset to our city council.
Service indeed Amelia. Well done good and faithful servant. It would be an honor to have you as a councilperson for this lovely city by the sea.
Ths is clearly a mature woman who does not allow setbacks to stop her from continuing to grow and learn. Having overcome obstacles far more than her peers she obviously has the understanding of what it means to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Great job, Amelia. Hang tough and don’t be intimidated by the bullies out there. Maybe Ms. Zahner will give us a look into her background.
A fabulous outlook on this young ladies career up to the present. A great big ” one two” punch to the island rag and it’s ace reporter Lisa Zahner who does nothing but degrade her childs father on line. Quite a different view of life and it’s meaning from the eyes of most of our young people. This is such a great place to live as long as we have young minds that want to represent this city like Amelia Graves does. I hope more of her peers step forward and serve this community as she is willing to do. My vote and hundreds of others in Vero will be going your way Amelia. Thank you for opening up to the people of this city.
(Marc:…check her out as one of your reporters. She writes great and puts a meaningful perspective in her words.)
Thank you for your candidness Amelia. You are a breath of fresh air and are an inspiration for our community. I commend you on your commitment to helping others and your dedication to your studies in Public Health. It seems you fight for what you truly believe in and taking that road can often be a tougher choice, but it is one that builds much character and integrity.
No matter what side of the aisle people fall on politically, many Vero residents have a common interest when it comes to our City, and that is seeing to it that Vero Beach maintains a high standard and quality of life. Vero has never been mediocre, but we’ve definitely slipped a little over the past few years.
Amelia, I know that you will fight to make our City the best that it can be for all residents. Your leadership skills and past experience working in stressful situations with a variety of cultures and people will greatly benefit the City of Vero Beach. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do !
A complete and honest insight into Amelia Graves. A woman who has never sought to be just to be a woman of success but a woman of value.
Thank you for this insightful piece on Amelia Graves. We know that not all educational enhancements come from institutions of higher learning. Amelia’s priceless experience with people, and her willingness to work hard will make her a Councilman of which we can be proud.
I hope you win your elected positon, Amellia! I wish I was elegible to vote for you! I hope there are thousands of young adults just like you to serve across the country. We need leaders who are truly interested in the human condition, a healthy earth and a healthy society. I know a few who are like you. Proudly, they are related to me in one way or another. Your intellect and character shine through. Keep up the good work!!
Jane La Lone, if you live in the Vero area, you do not need any credentials to help Amelia win…..
Check out her website and contact her. Helping out and donating will both be greatly appreciated. Even if it’s only an hour and $10 – It will help! Your supportive comment helps us all keep going in Amelia’s campaign! Thanks! Here is her website: http://www.voteameliagraves.com/
My name is Sharon Kolor
I meant to say helping out OR donating …and….an hour OR $10. Thanks!