Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council - Posting #15

“Our Deepest Fear”
—Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

My name is Rosemarie Villarreal, and I am an AmeriCorps member with the Faith in Youth Partnership. “Our Deepest Fear” is a poem I keep close to my heart; it was first shared with me by a powerful and successful woman. This woman took time out of her life to invest in mine. She is my mentor, inspiration, and friend. She gave me the confidence in myself not only to be successful in life, but also to be a leader. I share this with you so that you may have a glimpse of what being a mentor really means.

At Faith in Youth we work with at-risk middle school youth by attending school lunches, and providing after school programming for them to learn and grow in a safe and nurturing environment. At my specific site, Rose Park Reformed Church (RPRC), I run two programs: The Outlet and The Connection.

The Outlet is a one-on-one mentoring program, where I set up mentors with kids to have the attention some kids need. What I really love about The Outlet is that it is completely individual - no cookie cutter programs for me! The matches are personality specific and needs are addressed individually by meeting as a group (parents, children, mentors, and myself) to discuss our goal for the year.

The Connection is an after school program on Mondays and Tuesdays that allow the kids to come to the RPRC to do homework, play games, and unwind after a long day at school. The Connection also takes monthly outings to various places.
Oscar, who is a regular at The Connection, always has something sarcastic to say. When I announced we would be going to Crazy Bounce on the 24th of February, Oscar was one of the first to complain. "That's for babies!" he exclaimed, further stating how boring it would be, and how he would never go there.

The Monday prior to our trip Oscar came in with his money. I was very surprised he was going to come. Thrilled that he decided to join us, I asked him why he changed his mind, but he didn’t reply. Instead he rolled his eyes and went to join his peers.

Tuesday came and it was now time to pack up and go to Crazy Bounce. There was a distinct excitement in the air, though everyone was acting too cool to admit it. The moment we arrived in the building, the kids dispersed. I had a great time watching the kids run back and forth, up and down all the inflated objects. A couple hours into the evening, Oscar came up to me and said, with a big smile, "This is great!" That was the first positive statement he had ever said to me. He is now asking, "When can we go back to Crazy bounce?" I laughed and told him soon.

Being a mentor to kids, even if it’s just one hour a week, can drastically change their outlook on life. Who have you mentored lately?

Become an AmeriCorps Member!

Do you want to become a part of a national corps of citizens who get things done? Joining an AmeriCorps program is very easy - just follow three simple steps:

Step One - Ensure you are eligible.

AmeriCorps members must be at least 17 years of age, must be a U.S. citizen, must have a high school diploma (or be willing to work toward one), and be able to commit to up to one year of service. If you are accepted, you will need to provide a birth certificate or other information documenting your age and citizenship. AmeriCorps members serving vulnerable populations such as youth or seniors must be able to pass local, state, and national background checks.

Step Two - Find a program and make contact.

To join AmeriCorps, you must apply directly to your program of interest. AmeriCorps members serve in full-time, half-time, reduced half-time (450 hours), or minimum time (300 hours) capacity. The kind of slot available will vary from program to program. You can view the current Michigan's AmeriCorps programs or you can visit the Corporation for National and Community Service to get contact information for other AmeriCorps programs throughout the country. Once you contact the program, they will be able to explain their application process and timelines. Also, some programs may have additional requirements, so be sure to ask about their qualifications for AmeriCorps members.

Step Three - Still need more information?

The Michigan Community Service Commission is happy to assist you if you need additional information. Please contact Michelle Mackie at (517) 241-3606.

Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council - Posting #14

I am already a day behind and tomorrow has not even begun. I understand deadlines. Things make it or break it by deadlines.

No problem, no word limit, no pressure - I got this. But then I am overwhelmed. And then I am exhausted. There are too many needs and too little time in each day. The airplane oxygen mask story creeps through my mind – “help yourself before you help others.”

Then thoughts of those individuals and families I am helping through my AmeriCorps service plow through the thoughts of oxygen masks on airplanes. And then I think that -- even for just a moment -- if I am overwhelmed and exhausted, then how do they cope? How do they get out of bed everyday with the struggles and obstacles they face?

My name is Beth, and I am a first-year member serving as a health advocate in a homeless and domestic violence shelter for the Michigan Primary Care Association Community Health Corps. And, call me an idealist, but like the Ben Harper song I heard on my way home, I sometimes do believe I can change the world with my own two hands.

Some of my clients’ needs would, without a doubt, overwhelm and exhaust even the most composed and powerful of our great nation. This year of AmeriCorps service is not a job. It is of meaningful purpose and is a mission of service. I am getting things done to make other’s lives a little easier -- even if just for a moment, but perhaps, possibly, a year.

Today, I took a kind and gentle, 52-year-old man, possibly dying of lung cancer, to a consultation. They told him he has to get three more tests (including one involving a very big needle) to find out what’s wrong. He is terrified. He has worked the last ten years in a restaurant as an overnight cleaner, but was just laid off because he can no longer keep up. He has no income, close friends, or family. Fortunately, he has a roof over his head, just received state-paid health care, and his medical bills will be covered. I wonder who will take care of him if chemotherapy and radiation is necessary. I worry he’s going to back out of the biopsy.

A week ago, a young mother came to the shelter, after leaving the children’s abusive father in Las Vegas. She was staying with a distant relative a few towns away, which had also become an abusive environment, so now she and her three children, all under age seven, are with us for awhile. When they first arrived, after staying the weekend in a motel, they all became very sick and had to see a doctor right away. I took them to an urgent care, and the antibiotics were free at the pharmacy.

Other women in the shelter have confided in me they are worried about possible sexually transmitted disease infections. I am able to take them to the local health department to be tested and treated. Upon her request, I refer one woman to the local sex addicts support group and give her a bag of condoms. I worry about her psyche and children.

A young grandmother who may get custody of her four beautiful, happy grandchildren is able to go and see the eye doctor with my help. The three youngest and I read books and look at the fish tank in the waiting room while she is in with the doctor.

A sufferer of multiple sclerosis and domestic violence was able to count on me to provide support in the hospital when her middle daughter, age fifteen, just had a baby. It was a Sunday evening, during my favorite HBO show, but I got to hold this precious healthy baby boy, and think of how his life can be the at least a little bit better through the service of myself and others like me.

This year of service can be difficult at times, to say the least. You have to go with the flow and know you are making a difference. I recently overheard our shelter’s executive director say, “We really are the ER of the social services industry.” I believe this a great metaphor for what I do and what is expected of me. But I wouldn’t change a thing – I am experiencing more everyday than I ever thought imaginable!

And really, regarding Ben Harper’s song, at times I may only be working with one itty-bitty fingertip of my hands to change the world by helping attend to the overwhelming needs of these individuals. But with a life dedicated to service, and a commitment to serve my community and get things done for that ever-elusive Greater Good – I am starting to change the world – with my own two hands!

“My Own Two Hands” by Ben Harper

I can change the world
with my own two hands
make a better place
with my own two hands
make a kinder place
with my own two hands
I’m gonna to make it a brighter place
I’m gonna make it a safer place
I’m gonna help the human race

Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council - Posting #13

Greetings and welcome back to the Michigan’s AmeriCorps Blog! My name is Raymond Murry. However, everyone calls me Ray.

I am in my second term serving as a full-time Michigan’s AmeriCorps member representing The Michigan AmeriCorps Partnership.

The Michigan AmeriCorps Partnership is a collaborative program of the Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning at The University of Michigan and the many organizations it serves.

Since 1995, the MAP has served over 30 diverse nonprofit organizations, schools, and communities in the Detroit area. Stationed at multiple service sites, MAP members strive to address local human needs through direct service activities related to social, economic and community development, health education and promotion services for children and families, academic enhancement of youth in after-school or summer programs, and volunteer recruitment and retention.

Since its start, over 769 members have given over 647,408 hours of service and recruited over 72,504 volunteers who have served over 239, 923 hours!

My service site is Clark Park Recreation Center located in Southwest Detroit. Each day I am at the center getting things done. Whether I am removing graffiti off the brick buildings, writing a grant, raking leaves, passing out skates, coaching soccer or hockey, creating flyers, or being a mentor, I am constantly given the opportunity to get things done.

I have had the opportunity to meet so many great people, who are all in some way passionate about serving their communities, schools, and country. They all give of themselves each and every day across Michigan. From Detroit to Ann Arbor, to Grand Rapids to Charlevoix and everywhere in between, Michigan’s AmeriCorps represents.

Recently I was asked the question “Why do you do what you do?” I have a tendency to be a brain picker and I like people to be specific, so my response was, “What do you mean?” They repeated the question. I replied, “Why do I do what?” Then they said, “All the things you do around here?”

You see, I could give them a careless answer like, “I don’t know.” Or I could give them a simple answer like, “Because.” But why not use this opportunity to enlighten someone, and open their eyes to the world of service? So instead I responded…

“When a young boy asks me while pointing to a ‘Closed’ sign and says, ‘What does that say?’ That’s why I tutor. When I sit and listen to the young lady who has an alcoholic mother, and although she is well taken care of, it hurts her to see her mother poison herself. That’s why I mentor. Knowing I can keep a kid off the streets and safe while learning a skill, that’s why I coach sports. I clean, and rake leaves and shovel snow, and remove graffiti, and pick up trash, and laugh, and smile, run, and type flyers, and listen to my volunteers, and give workshops, and breathe, and plant trees, and sweep, and sing, and pass out skates, and monitor the youth, well… I do it because it needs to be done. I do it because I like it. I do it because it makes me feel good. I do it because I can. I do it because I know I am making a difference. I do it because I care. I do it because I want to. I do it because the world is such a great place. I do it because I want to make it an even greater place. I do it because I’m not afraid to. I do it because I love to challenge myself. I do it because it’s life.

And so I thank the person who asked me this question because, you helped me with my blog submission. But in closing I just want to ask you all, “Why do you do what you do?” I think it is great for us to think about our reasons for doing things in life. Sometimes we do things for the wrong reasons and we miss the true rewards of doing them. So, I challenge you to take some time to yourself and think about that question. If you are anything like me you’ll ask, “What do you mean?” I think it’s clear what I mean now.

Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council - Posting #12

Good day everyone! I feel I should make an apology right from the start; the whole idea of informal writing truly frightens me, as I have never written anything to be read outside the context of the classroom. Okay, now that I've played Brutus to myself I feel like I can, and should, move forward.

My name is Josh Meyers and I have the pleasure of serving with the AmeriCorps: Together We Prepare program that is a joint collaboration between Michigan’s AmeriCorps and The American Red Cross. Together We Prepare seeks to address community needs related to disaster preparedness, disaster response, and community education. Statewide, there are 25 members serving at nine different chapters. I serve at the Greater Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Red Cross along with seven other full-time AmeriCorps members. Each of those members serves a different critical community need via the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids.

I serve as the Government Liaison, which means I provide a variety of services on a day-to-day basis ranging from negotiating and writing memorandum's of understanding between the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids and our partner agencies, to helping to create and implement new programming. I will say the following at the risk of sounding horribly cliché; each and every day I find my self working to overcome a new challenge that, upon completion, will directly benefit others. The sense of intrinsic satisfaction I feel at the end of the day makes it truly easy for me to wake up the next morning at 6:15 a.m. to serve another day.

If you have continued to read to this point I must already have your unbridled and undivided attention; so since I have you, let me tell you about a program that I co-created/am co-creating with another AmeriCorps member from the Greater Grand Rapids Red Cross. The program is titled, A Safe Community Begins with You. The goal of A Safe Community Begins With You is to cultivate greater independence in the lives of individuals’ ages 15-25 with developmental disabilities by providing a series interactive classes focused on fostering independent living. A Safe Community Begins with You is a product of a partnership between the Grand Rapids Fire Department, The Arc of Kent County, and the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids. These classes cover topics such as, Fire Safety, Basic Aid Training, and Independent Living. As an effect, A Safe Community Begins With You aims to mirror the paradigm shift within state funded public education that focuses on taking individuals with developmental disabilities from group homes and placing them within the overarching community as productive members of society. Our first class, focused on fire safety, kicked off last month and went over better than we could have imagined. It was amazing to see the result of hours of planning go off without a “hitch”. We were able to meet a critical need within our community and enjoy every minute of it.

As everyone one else seems to be ending their posts with a thought provoking question; I will too (and to answer the question you all are asking inside of your inner-dialogues, yes I would jump off the bridge). I’d like to leave you by posing to you my own question, how much change could you affect in yourself and your community by giving of yourself one year of community service?