VHA is pleased to welcome another member of our 2025–2026 VISTA cohort, Colette Cannell, who is serving as the Housing Resource VISTA with Community Services Housing in Charlottesville, VA.

About Colette:

Colette was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, minoring in Environmental Studies. During her time at VCU, Colette was an active member of various environmental clubs and business-related student organizations, where she found her passion for sustainability and community resilience planning. In her career, Colette hopes to make a positive impact on the ways we interact with our planet.

In her free time, Colette stays active and outside; whether that’s biking, hiking, swimming, playing tennis, or walking her dog. She also enjoys exploring different mediums of art and trying new things, her newest hobby being learning the guitar. Through her VISTA term, Colette is excited to serve her local community and gain experience in non-profit management.

Project: 

Over the past several months, Colette has significantly expanded Community Services Housing’s community engagement through the creation of a quarterly resident newsletter. Grounded in a resident survey she conducted earlier in the year, the newsletter is designed to prevent issues, gather feedback, and connect residents to resources that support long-term stability and well-being. Colette also conducted resident interviews to further understand tenant experiences and ensure communications remain responsive and relevant.

In tandem with this work, Colette has strengthened the organization’s overall communications infrastructure. She led a comprehensive overhaul of the CSH website, improving accessibility and adding dedicated resources for current and prospective tenants. She has also developed a range of outreach materials including a brochure, flyer, and data-informed graphics, in addition to building a professional photo library of CSH properties. Together, these efforts have improved how CSH communicates with residents, partners, and funders while creating a more cohesive and transparent public presence.

By centering resident voice and prioritizing clear, proactive communication, Colette’s work is helping CSH become a more responsive and community-driven organization. She hopes to continue nonprofit communications work within the environmental sector post-VISTA term. To connect with Colette, you can reach her at ccannell.csh@gmail.com.