Why did I pursue AmeriCorps*VISTA?
As a sociology major who attended a small liberal arts college, I knew I wanted to gain experience in the nonprofit world by serving with AmeriCorps. I had taken several sociological classes with topics surrounding the cultural and structural theories behind poverty, and I wanted to see for myself what poverty was like first-hand. Serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA only seemed fitting; it is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty and build capacity
What has my term been like?
These past eight months have definitely been a whirlwind experience. Within my first two weeks I found myself mentoring members of the MCSC’s Service-Learning Youth Council (SLYC) as they began exploring service project ideas for the annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD). My connection with these members only grew from there. I soon helped two members from a high poverty school district write and receive a Youth Service America Grant to address literacy in their community. I also made sure at least half of the SLYC members were involved in GYSD in some way. I rapidly found myself deeply invested in the outcome of GYSD and its impact on the state of Michigan. Thankfully, it turned out to be a huge success: more than 1,615 youth and 522 adults volunteered more than 6,917 hours via 106 service projects this past April.
In the midst of learning about the amazing benefits of youth service efforts throughout the state, I had to face the federal budget cuts. In early April, Congress made deep cuts in government spending for Fiscal Year 2011 which reduced the CNCS budget by $74.6 million. This included a $40 million deal that eliminated Learn and Serve America funding. Ultimately, the result meant that Learn and Serve – Michigan would not be able to grant nearly half a million dollars in federal funds to its programs for 2011-2012, like it did in 2010-2011. You can imagine then, five months into my year of service, how confusing and complex this information was to me. I kept asking many questions to whomever would listen, but the one I asked most frequently was, “What will happen to service-learning?” After three months digesting this information I can finally answer my own question: service-learning will still exist, but its funding will be different.
Each time I finish a conference or phone call, receive an email message, or serve alongside a SLYC member, I get a feeling inside that I can only describe as a happy-tingly feeling. This may sound corny, I know. But when I look at a list of their accomplishments from this past year I am inspired. Our young people are undertaking amazing service projects, and tackling the state’s biggest problems. I started my year of service supporting our SLYC members, but that does not mean I will end my year of service and no longer serve alongside or encourage youth to serve. Now, more than ever, I am motivated to do my part in supporting youth-led service efforts.
For more information on Learn and Serve – Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc.
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