Hello! My name is Asa Lockett and I serve with AmeriCorps at City Year Detroit. Our program provides service by tutoring and mentoring students K through 12 and running after school programs where we hope to dramatically change student’s views on equality, idealism, and diversity. City Year now has sites in 19 cities nationwide as well as an international site in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our primary goal is to build democracy through citizen engagement, leadership development, and social entrepreneurship.This past Monday, January 19, we hosted the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at Chadsey High School in Southwest Detroit where we had over 100 volunteers come out to help paint bathrooms, hallways, classrooms, and the gymnasium. Seeing these dedicated and diverse individuals pour their hearts out for service was amazing and shows that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream still has wings. It was beautiful to see strangers work side by side and unselfishly help redecorate a school in need and commit their time to a community other than their own.
Here at City Year and in AmeriCorps, we understand the importance of serving and putting others before ourselves. It is truly a wonder to see how lives can be changed and communities can be strengthened when people work together one task at a time in order to see a larger positive change. We still have dreams of transforming this nation into a much better place but in order to do so we need the help of more open-minded and self-sacrificing people willing to dedicate a year of service to empower and uplift others in need. It sounds challenging but comfort is the enemy of achievement.
City Year’s vision is someday the most commonly asked question of a young adult will be, “Where are you going to do your service year?” So I ask you…when will you?
6 comments:
"comfort is the enemy of achievement." Asa, I really like that quote. Where is it from?
Equality, idealism, and diversity are pillars of growth and change. would love to see future blog discussions on each of these. Thanks for the inspiration,Asa.
Thanks for an inspiring post it is just what was needed after a long few days at my service site. Asa, your post reminded me to look at one task at time instead of the whole picture.
Asa, so inspiring and you have created such a spirit for service. So...I hope you're working on that great story. ;)
Asa, after getting to know you better last week, I found that you are constantly looking for inspiration, and I now see you have found it in your community. You hold such pride for the service you do and all those you touch, but yet are humbled by strangers who work together to re-build a community. You truly live up to the spirit and cause that embodies AmeriCorps.
This is a wonderful blog Asa because it definitely sums up 12 hours of prep and 11 hours of service with the only insight that we were making a difference for others, beyond ourselves!
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