Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Council – Posting #28

Bridget Ferrigan here again, representing Michigan Campus Compact’s AmeriCorps*VISTAs. This will be my third and last post as part of the Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Council. For most of us in the program, our year of service concludes at the end of July, which has prompted many of us to ask ourselves “What next?”

Some of us are continuing our service; I will be moving to North Carolina to serve with their Campus Compact for a second year as a VISTA. Some are continuing their education, going for Masters Degrees in public policy, business, and higher educational administration. Whatever our future choices for after our VISTA and AmeriCorps service, we all will remain committed to getting things done for America and transforming our communities however we can.

After AmeriCorps, I will still do service in my community. I am already signed up on the AmeriCorps Alums website, and will try to stay active in my new community as much as possible, whether it’s helping at the local humane society, doing a Habitat for Humanity build, or participating in MLK Day of Service. While I will be moving around in the next few years, I will try and make some kind of impact wherever I go.

I also plan on being an advocate for national service, among other things. As a VISTA, one of the things we are not allowed to do is influence legislation. This has been especially hard for me, coming from a political science background with many friends interested in politics and policy. It’s so cliché to keep saying that this is a time of change, but I truly feel it is. I look forward, after my second year of AmeriCorps, to raising my voice for the issues I believe in and asking my legislators to fulfill their promise of representing me to the nation. However, many of you reading this blog can already do that. Stand up for what you believe in—don’t hesitate to try and change what is in place because of the possibility of failure or because it is comfortable.

I also look forward to seeing what great things the people I have met over the last year will go on to do. I have faith the students I have met here at Olivet College will keep serving their community and continue to make a difference in the lives of people all over the country. I know they will step up and take charge when things need to be done. One of the seniors who went on our alternative winter break trip to New Orleans to continue Hurricane Katrina relief work has moved down there and has become a site leader for the United Church of Christ’s Hurricane Disaster Relief ministry. Two freshman who came up with service activities for MLK Day of Service in January have become very involved in the college community: they are members of the Black Student Union and the local chapter of the NAACP, one is active with the women’s group on campus, and the other is on the executive board of Student Government. I am also excited to see what amazing things my fellow VISTAs and Member Council representatives, as well as the college friends I have involved in AmeriCorps (shout out to City Year Detroit and the Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness!) will do following their service.

As we carry our commitment from this year to beyond, let us not forget our pledge to get things done for America, however we are best able to do that.

Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council Posting #27

"There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well." -Walter Reuther

Greetings, this is Rachel, from Camp Fire USA. This is my third and most likely final blog posting here, and it’s caused me to ruminate upon my time of service. As my term draws quickly to a close, it has been amazing to think about how incredibly fast the last 24 months of my life have gone. I started my first term of service fresh out of college, unsure of what I would have to offer a place of employment, and with aspirations to do something more than just punching the clock.

The option to serve in AmeriCorps came unexpectedly, as a way for me finally express my desires for social justice into concrete actions. During the course of that year I got the chance to make an impact on the lives of the 45 children located at the after-school site where I was serving, and an even greater impression on the 15 first and second graders that I led through daily activities. To be honest though, I think I might have learned more from them, than they from me. Their constant honesty and daily strength and courage in the light of their less than perfect lives were a daily reminder of how blessed I am. I've learned greater patience, and understanding as I interacted with the families and schools in the community. I gave them my time and effort, and in return was given rewarding relationships.

As I entered my second term, AmeriCorps continued to offer me opportunities to learn more about who I am and what my strengths and capabilities are. As a naturally shy person, I've been presented with situations that have taught me to trust in my leadership skills, and to become comfortable in my own skin. The Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Council gave me a chance to learn more about capacity building and a taste of non-profit management. This in turn has gradually led me on a path to continue on in the non-profit world, to pick a career path that will continue to make tangible differences in my community.

Like many other AmeriCorps members that are getting ready to graduate from their term, and attempt to find employment in a troubled economy, I worry about what my next step will be. Jobs are unfortunately scarce, but I know I will leave my two years of AmeriCorps a stronger, more capable person, with skills and strengths that will be unique and useful. My hope for you all is that you also find (or have found) your niche in the world to make a difference. May you all continue to serve your fellow man, and get things done for America.

Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council - Posting #26

Hello everyone, it’s Colette again with readetroit! I had a great time in Flint serving at the 2009 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project. Our team was wonderful and we got things done at Memorial Park. Jim (aka “The Master Gardener”) was our volunteer site leader and was fantastic as he lead us through a horticultural experience of rotor tilling and planting trees, flowers, and shrubs. I even gained tips on how to be become a better gardener. It was nice the community came out to help as well, cheering us on for our efforts. It was truly an experience I will never forget. I am constantly learning there is value in everything and everyone!

It is hard to believe I have been an AmeriCorps member for almost eight months and I am nearing the end of my service. I would like to reflect on my experience at Heilmann Park Elementary School in Detroit. I have enjoyed serving under the direction of a great administration and a special thanks goes to Ms. Yvette Little for welcoming the Communities In Schools tutors into Heilmann Park Elementary. I have had the pleasure of serving the students in a tutor/mentor capacity, as well as implementing the Book Club: You Read 2 Me, I’ll Read 2 You, which could not have been a success without the help of my fellow AmeriCorps members Gwendolyn Howard, Ericka Jones, and Regina Thompson.

In this blog posting I would like to focus on one of my students, Alexis, whom I have had the pleasure of tutoring. I started helping her in the early part of January 2009. Alexis came to me as a shy girl, as I could barely hear her talking and she read in a low, unconfident voice. I made a practice of asking the children how they were feeling each day. If they were returning to school from the weekend, I would always ask how their weekend was or if they did anything exciting. I could never really get much of an answer from Alexis, except a few one liners and a nice smile.

Alexis was struggling with spelling and reading. Her teacher, Mrs. Blair, allowed me to administer her pre-spelling test and the actual spelling test on Fridays. Alexis went from 10 words to 20 words in no time. Each week I could see her confidence growing, and she also began to ask and answer questions.

I also asked the children to stand and walk as they were reading. I believe this gives them the confidence, as well as developing their reading and public speaking skills, by having them stand and read in front of their peers. Alexis did not feel comfortable at all doing this. But it was also my way of making the children read loud and with clarity.

I watched Alexis bloom like a flower does in the springtime. It has been truly wonderful watching her transform into an excited and confident learner. Alexis’s teacher asked me how the tutoring sessions were going. I informed her there were several students I was proud of and I noticed a change in their attitudes towards learning. Alexis was one of those students. When her teacher informed me she had reached Super Star status, I was thrilled! I couldn’t think of anyone that deserved to be a Super Star more than Alexis. The requirements to achieve Super Star status at Heilmann Park Elementary School are as follows: academic achievement, perfect attendance, and outstanding citizenship.

Congratulations, Alexis! I am honored to have been your tutor for a short time. I’m sure you will continue to get things done as you continue on to Middle School!