Hi, I’m Stephen Phillips, a second-year AmeriCorps member
serving with the Cherry Street Community HealthCorps team at Cherry Street
Health Services in Grand Rapids. Although AmeriCorps members may be known more
for their humility and humble commitment to service, I can’t stop myself from
bragging about my team, the largest Community HealthCorps team in the country! Given
the common misconception that the greater Grand Rapids is a rather well-to-do
area of our state, it may come as a surprise that the National Association of
Community Health Centers has decided to dedicate so much manpower here. Yet,
the reality on our streets shows that Grand Rapidians too are in desperate need
of a broad range of services, much of which is met by the incredible efforts of
the various AmeriCorps teams in this area.
Among those needs, securing access to affordable and
competent health care for all citizens remains an important challenge, and it
is our primary focus. Last year alone, our members assisted 21,424 new individuals
from historically underserved and marginalized populations in gaining access to
health services. Whether serving as an interpreter, outreach specialist, case
manager, or in another capacity, our members strive to eliminate the barriers
that have kept so many from living at their healthiest and, in doing so, build
healthier communities from the ground up.
The commitment that my fellow Cherry Street AmeriCorps
members and I have made to strengthen our communities through service often
takes us beyond the familiar setting of the health center. On April 27, we put
our commitment to the test once again by assisting Habitat for Humanity of Kent
County in preparation for one of their largest events ever. That event, which
took place the following day, assembled more than 400 volunteers from a local
church to take part in a massive collaborative effort to construct completed
frames for multiple homes over the course of a few hours.
Our participation as the ‘backstage’ volunteers for the
event, although maybe less exciting and attention grabbing than putting
together the finished products, was vital to its success. Responsible for
ensuring that all necessary components of the frames were ready for assembly,
our members drilled, cut, ripped wood, chalked and rigged jigs, and more, all with
the enthusiasm of a group that recognized its larger purpose and understood its
role. Our purpose was not to garner attention for ourselves or perfect our carpentry
skills—although it was fun to throw around that construction jargon—rather we
were there to lay the foundation for a successful event which would strengthen
our community by giving families what they need to be successful; in this case,
quality, affordable housing.
After I had some time to reflect on this experience with
Habitat, I came to the realization that the role we fulfilled as so-called
‘backstage’ volunteers truly mirrors the roles that we play in our day-to-day service
positions. Just as we provided the Habitat volunteers with the materials and
tools necessary for success, so too do we try to provide our patients with the
tools and information they need to overcome their challenges and lead a
healthier, more productive life. With little fanfare and lots of compassion and
patience, we sit ‘backstage’ as our patients learn to lead their own lives. 
The Cherry Street AmeriCorps team will continue to engage
our communities in this way. By laying the foundations upon which success is
built, we will make our communities healthier and stronger. I look forward to
continuing my service year with such an exceptional program, and I’m excited to
see what impact Cherry Street and other area AmeriCorps programs will have on
our city and this region over the coming months. The sky’s the limit!
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