Stories of Service

Abby Burkland
Ready to Learn Providence

Compassion has many forms. It’s an attitude. It’s a feeling. It’s an action. It’s a process. It’s represented when you help a preschooler learn his/her alphabet letters and sounds. Compassion is a chameleon. It is disguised in tedious office work. Even when we overlook and forget it, compassion is still there beneath the surface of consciousness.   My compassion can be found in 200 stencils of childrens’ names. It is behind the scenes, underground. It is 2 weeks of time; 15 classroom lists; 1 marker; 3 utility knives; 1 roll of tape; paper; and several blistered fingers. Some people may say that what I do is boring, repetitive, meticulous drudgery, but they don’t see the care, patience, and dedication, which underlie this task.   In preschool classrooms, children truly appreciate the homemade stencils. Every child receives a stencil; no one is forgotten. They use these stencils with flashlights to cast shadows of their names. They trace the letters with their excited fingers. With the shadow cast against paper, they use markers to follow the letter outlines. They learn how to spell and write their names. They gain self-confidence and build their literacy skills. They’re ready to learn.   Compassion has many forms. It’s open-minded. AmeriCorps cultivates the seeds of compassion within us all.   I am forever grateful for this life experience and honored to have met and worked with such kind, generous people. AmeriCorps restored and continues to nourish my faith in humanity.

Alicia Malave
Ready to Learn Providence

Ha sido de gran impacta para mi ver la gran importancia que como miembro de AmeriCorps me han brindado en el centro donde trabajo. Nunca imagine que lo poco que podía dar de mi tiempo iba a ser tan valorado por lo demas. Me satisface cuando ayudo a un niño y luego puedo ver su crecimiento. Cuando los padres me abrazan contentos y me dan las gracias por lo que estoy haciendo con sus niños. Un abrazo, un beso o un “I love you” de mis niños es mi mejor regalo y me llena el corazón y me ayuda a querer repetir siempre la experiencia de ofrecer mi ayuda como AmeriCorps o como ser humano; por todo les digo "gracias por la oportunidad de servir.”

Anna Meyers
Providence CityArts for Youth Expanded Day Teaching Artist Program

Case Santos
East Bay Community Action AmeriCorps Program

I have always been grateful to those who helped shape the person I am today. These individuals were my mother, siblings, and most importantly, my teachers. I can honestly say that began in Head Start, where I learned how much I loved school. I learned the mystery behind great educators and that even if I lived in a horrible place I could always escape in a book. I am an AmeriCorps volunteer in Head Start today and I wouldn’t trade it for any salary. Since the beginning of my service I could see all the excitement the children in the program contain and it brings me back to the excitement I felt while in school. They see books like I did as a child, a way to be princesses, dragon slayers, and animals in the jungle, whether they know what the words say or not. One of my many responsibilities within Head Start is to distribute books to the children in a fun creative way. I have dressed up as Bob the Builder’s friend with a plaid shirt, working boots, and construction worker’s hat and called myself “Barbara” only to be told by the children Bob’s friend’s name is Lily. This month I decorated an apron with cupcakes for the book, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake. Many children in the program don’t have books at home so my distributions may be the only books they will be able to take home and belong to them and only them. While I grew up with a library of books at home, which I had the option to choose from, they have but two books every three months that they appreciate and adore. As I leave their classroom their eyes have begun to examine what treasures are in the book of their choice and when they are asked by the teachers to say, “Thank You,” I always say it to them. I like to give the children something different and fun to look forward to, and whenever they happen to see me they say to their parents, “That’s the lady who gave me my books.” Many people would like to be remembered by their name but I’m okay being remembered by my actions.

Charlotte Fitts-Sprague
Scholarships for Service

I serve because it makes me feel successful and valued. As an Elementary Education major here at Roger Williams University I choose to serve in an Elementary school in downtown Bristol. I not only wanted to serve because it would be beneficial to have classroom experience but I also enjoy helping and working closely with children. Each day I would receive assignments from the teacher about grading I could do or bulletin boards I needed to make. I felt extremely useful in the classroom and was able to complete things that the teacher would not have been able to do her self. By completing such tasks I felt like a critical part of the classroom and always felt that my teacher greatly appreciated the work I was able to do for her. By serving in the school I enjoyed gaining experience in my future profession but also helping out in a classroom that needed extra support and that would not have run as smoothly without my service.

Christian Aguiar
East Bay Community Action AmeriCorps Program
Pass it on. Pick up the box. The box might contain anything from financial literacy education for a mother of three to paperwork help for a senior who doesn't speak English. Perhaps it just contains assistance in breaking the stigma of public assistance programs and helping a client get the services they need without feeling badly. Or maybe it's something monumental, a new idea or a new event that promises to change the way a community interacts with itself and others. Or maybe, as in the picture, it's passing an actual box - no metaphors here - filled with toys for the state's foster children. In either case, they key is to keep one's head down. Keep working, keep focused, and don't look up until the task is done and you're ready to see the changes you've made. Not just you, of course, but you and the person you passed the box to.

Clare Harmon
Scholarships for Service

I serve because I want to leave this life a little different from the way I came in. I started serving when I began experiencing many difficult life challenges when I was younger. I used serving as a coping mechanism. When you are at the bottom of your rope, and you feel like nothing could get worse, try serving. The act of serving someone or a cause in need will help you tie that knot to hold on. In time, what I have come to realize is that those who are seemingly "less fortunate," who are poor, sick, or subject to inequalities of some sort, they are more wealthy in spirit than those who are, "more fortunate" by societies standards. We all tend to get caught up in the fast paced society we love, and we lose sight of what is most important. Serving puts everything into perspective. I serve for the lessons like this. I serve to be humbled. I serve for the beauty in the seemingly ugly and I serve for the positive in what seems to be an endless stream of negatives. I serve to learn. And I serve to inflict change. I serve because I want to attempt to give back a fraction of what the beautiful people I have met along the way have done for me. I serve for the promise of a better community and a peaceful world. I serve for you. And I serve for me.

Conceptia Geffrard
City Year Rhode Island

At the start of the year, one of the students Maria would frequently come to class late. Once she would arrive to school, she would sit in her seat, place her head on the desk and tune the world out. I felt frustrated because there was very little I felt I could do to help Maria. I would try encouraging her but it only seemed to push her further away. This fractured relationship between us went on for weeks until one morning when Maria happened to hear me sing. Every Tuesday, I lead a Glee Club as part of my team’s initiative to improve the school’s attendance ratings. To my surprise, Maria was excited about the Glee Club and wanted to attend. Astounded by the opportunity to finally form a connection with her, I asked Maria if she had any songs she would be interested in singing and for the next few minutes following, I saw a side of Maria I never knew existed. Her face lit up as she rambled on about pop culture and her preference for “old school” music. She laughed in amazement at me when she discovered that I listened to many of the artist she mentioned.

In the months that have passed since that event, Maria’s attendance and in-class performance have improved incredibly. She no longer places her head down as much in class, and because of our interactions outside of the classroom, Maria has become more comfortable around me.

Emily Rodriguez
The National College Advising Corps at Brown University

A pivotal moment in my life was when I handed my parents my college diploma. Although my parents never received a formal education, their support gave me access to educational opportunities that helped me overcome the barriers that I faced growing up. When it came time to plan for life after Brown I knew I wanted to take part in service-oriented work and give back to a community that gave me so much. I made the commitment to work with the National College Advising Corps at Brown University (CAC) and it was during this time that I experienced a renewed sense of purpose and became cognizant of the fact that I could be an agent of change and have an effect on my community. I find that education has the power to instill confidence, the capacity to create an instant bond, and the ability to transport you to a world of opportunity. At the same time it can be a process that is challenging, frustrating, and unfair based on factors that are often out of your control. Partnering with the CAC at Brown University and AmeriCorps has allowed me to utilize my education and aid others in developing and reaching their educational goals. I want to be a part breaking down barriers that prevent students from having access to equal opportunity for academic success. All students—despite their socioeconomic class or cultural background—have the right to educational equality. That is why I choose to serve.

Geny V. Cancino Amaral
Mount Hope Learning Center

"The beauty of the now is to know it." Working with children is the best compensation in the human life even if you receive all kinds of attitudes (sad and cranky faces, tears, laughter, etc.), you still feel an awakening and you feel wonderful when you teach, discipline, play and laugh with children and especially when you learn from them. Children are powerful conqueror of the heart.

Gregoria Palma
Ready to Learn Providence

Al poco tiempo de comenzar en el programa del WIC, la supervisora me notifico que el dia siguiente tendría que realizar una demostración de cocina. Ese dia no pude dormir muy bien pensando que comida tendría que cocinar. Fue estresante para mi esa situación, por que a mi no me gusta cocinar y por lo tanto no soy muy creativa en la cocina. Cuando llego el dia, la supervisora trajo frutas cercales y yogur, con esos elementos tuve que crear un alimento para los clientes del WIC. Ese fue mi bautizmo de fuego y así sucísimamente siguieron sucediendo las demostraciones de cocina. Esto me ayudo a comprender que importante es la alimentación sana y que, con pocos elementos saludables podemos alimentar a nuestros niños. De esto depende que ellos entren sanos y listos para aprender, cuidando así sobrepeso.

English Translation: Shortly after starting in the WIC program, the supervisor notified me that the next day I would have to conduct a cooking demonstration. I could not sleep very well that night thinking about what kind of food I would prepare. That was a stressful situation for me because I do not like to cook and so I'm not very creative in the kitchen. When the day came, the supervisor brought cercal, fruits and yogurt, and with these ingredients I had to create a meal for the WIC clients. It was like being baptized by fire! And now the demonstrations keep coming. All this has helped me understand how important healthy foods really are, and how with few healthy items we can provide a nutritious diet for our children. This is what will determine if our children can enter school healthy and ready to learn, avoiding obesity.

Jenny Marte
Ready to Learn Providence

Lo más bueno que me ha pensado que yo enseñe a el niño a escribir su nombre y que me identificara cada letra le su nombre y lo más importante que el padre me escribió una carta expresándose de lo que su hijo aumentado su aprendizaje, y cuando el niño me ver siempre me escribió su nombre y me dice maestra mire yo se escribió mi nombre y en el papel dibuja una carta feliz. El programa del AmeriCorps es muy importante. Yo le agradece mucho de lo que he aprendido porque cada día uno aprende cosas nuevas y sobre todo como ayudan a la comunidad.

English Translation: The best thing that has happened to me is that I was able to teach a child to write his own name and to identify each letter, and the most important thing is that the parent wrote me a letter to tell how much his child is progressing, and whenever this child sees me, he writes his name for me and tells me, “teacher see, I know how to write my name” and draws a smiley face on the paper. The AmeriCorps Program is very important and I’m so thankful for everything that I have learned, because every day you learn something new, especially when you are helping the community.

Jillian Flood
East Bay Community Action AmeriCorps Program

I serve because I love helping people, especially children. At the Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone, I work with elementary students from low-income families who need a little extra help, whether it’s with their food situation at home, with their studies, or if they just need a friend. As an AmeriCorps member, my position within the school community is flexible and I am able to morph into what is most beneficial for the students on any given day. Over the course of this year, I have taken on the roles of French teacher, nutrition program coordinator, early childhood assistant, literacy program manager, and more. Being a part of AmeriCorps allows me to gain experience in many different capacities, while at the same time providing support and assistance to underprivileged children and their families. I serve not only because I love it, but because it makes sense: AmeriCorps lets me build my professional skill set while making a real difference in the lives of these children. Where else could you get such a fantastic experience?

John McGarry
Charter Corps

I serve because it affords me the opportunity to experience and create opportunities for others in my community. One example of this was an afterschool course run by another AmeriCorps team member and I called Scooter City, in which the students created a cardboard community. The class, which ranged from second to sixth graders, constructed buildings out of cardboard boxes found throughout the school using hot glue, paint, and their imaginations. The class involved a lot of collaboration among students of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of development. It was great to see this collaboration succeed as the students built up their skyscrapers and homes. In particular, a group of students constructed a one-person watchtower taller than anyone in the room! They figured out the structural problems all on their own and assembled it with little assistance. While this might not seem like an important event on the face of things, I think it was very beneficial to the students. The members of the tower group ranged in age from seven to twelve and included a few students who, in the past, had been very reluctant to work as part of a group. This towering construction of cardboard showed them the power of working as a team. The course as a whole showed the students the structures of society— both the physical buildings and the infrastructure needed, such as the stop signs they made and the traffic officers whose roles they played— in a fun and constructive way.

Joseph Maurer
The National College Advising Corps at Brown University

I serve because I want to extend opportunities that I took for granted to young people who don’t even know that they exist. I grew up in a small community with a solid public school system. It wasn’t the best around, but we had teachers who engaged our interests, advanced courses that challenged our abilities, and families who had the experience to guide us on the path to college and adulthood. In college I began to learn more about public education nation-wide: how it functions, how it varies, and how it is currently failing many students who need it the most. Learning about the big picture gave me a context within which I came to understand the tremendous opportunity that I had been granted as a young student. As I considered what my path after college would consist of, I decided that my personal and intellectual passions converged on the improvement of America’s public education system. My AmeriCorps position has given me the opportunity to leap into the system: working with students, learning from experienced education mentors, and developing my own skills and abilities in a way that I never could have experienced in an entry-level job. Service means that I can expand my own knowledge and understanding while bringing my talents and abilities to a group of students who need them. My service has engaged me with a network of hard-working, thoughtful, motivated people who have helped me to have a positive impact in the moment while building my ability to expand this impact in the future.

Julie Burkhard
MuseumCorps - Providence Children's Museum

I serve because I can. Because I want to. Because I believe in civic responsibility. I serve because everyone needs help, and everyone is capable of giving help. Like the member of the community who is changing jobs and getting experience that will support her new career. Like the student learning what informal education is all about. Like the volunteer at heart, that just enjoys being around children, and being a positive role model. Like the MuseumCorps Educator, reaching out to the low-income schools, to inspire and celebrate learning through active play and exploration. Like the grandmother, and former teacher, that just can’t stop supporting places that support children, even if it’s behind the scenes. Like the family that wants to teach their daughter the importance of giving back to their community. I serve by helping others serve.

Kathryn Hickey
East Bay Community Action AmeriCorps Program

I serve because I want to help rebuild Rhode Island's communities through homeless advocacy, tenant and homeowner rights advocacy, and foreclosure prevention initiatives.

Kris Lee
Providence CityArts for Youth Expanded Day Teaching Artist Program

Laura Personius
Ocean State Environmental Education Collaborative (OSEEC)

I serve because it makes a difference. I cannot believe what my service year has taught me thus far. I remember when I first signed up for AmeriCorps I was very hesitant about what a year commitment would have in store for me. I knew that I wanted to share the gift of education and laughter, and I feel that my corps has been doing exactly that. I also believe AmeriCorps has made a big impact on me because it reminded me that though we may all be different, and from opposite sides of the country, we all have some big dreams in common. It showed me that passion could speak louder than I ever imagined when you have a group who is willing to hold strong together. I will forever remember this year because it has reminded me what a smile from a 5-year-old girl at a Christmas party that you were part of creating can do for your soul. It makes you remember that the smallest things in the world can hold a memory for that child forever. AmeriCorps has touched my life because it took me out of my “comfort zone” and reminded me that you need so many different experiences to fully make you the best employee, teacher, friend, daughter, and person that you can be. AmeriCorps will forever be a part of my life.

Lauren Dupee
MuseumCorps - Providence Children's Museum

Lauren Proctor
Charter Corps

Lisa Melmed
Providence CityArts for Youth Expanded Day Teaching Artist Program

I serve to make a difference in the world, community, and people’s lives. I also serve to grow as a person, and nurture that growth in others. These last two years in AmeriCorps have significantly increased my confidence in myself and as a leader. Before my years of service, and even at times during my first year, I lacked any confidence in my leadership skills. I did not even see that as part of who I could be, limiting my vision of what I could do and accomplish. Through my service, I realized that I could have a voice, a strong voice, and that I could facilitate and nurture that voice in others. This year in particular, I was given the opportunities and support to grow as a person, artist, and educator. The high expectations and encouragement to take ownership of what I do is having a profound effect on my development. For this I am immensely thankful to my mentors and colleagues. It has given me the opportunity to not just create change in myself, but that in many others, which fills me with gratitude and satisfaction. I feel proud of what I have accomplished, and what the young people I have touched have accomplished. A recent example is the Moon Animation project I did with the 6th graders in Nathan Bishop Middle School science classes. I undertook a new medium that I was excited to learn and share. My enthusiasm and curiosity spread to the students. I figured out how to do what I never thought I could do, as did the students. We are all filled with pride and excitement with what we accomplished. The experience awakened possibilities for what we can do in the future. Reflecting on the project, one student said that it was like field trip, but to his own classroom.

Lisa Sampson
City Year Rhode Island 

Through my service with City Year I have had the opportunity to run an after-school program at Roger Williams Middle School in Providence. During this time, I have helped incredible young women work through countless issues in a safe and supportive environment. Boys, high school, gossip. You name it, we’ve talked about it. In college, I was a philosophy major looking for life’s big lessons in old books. Now, my students are undoubtedly the most influential philosophers in my life. One day the activity was reflect on who inspires us. One of my girls told a story about her mother, whose negative outlook on life caused her to be unhappy a lot of the time. She said that although she had few positive role models to look up to, her mom was inspiring because she showed her how not to live her life. I’ll never forget her explaining to the group how she thought that everyone can live a happy life because happiness is a choice. I remember just sitting there thinking, are you kidding me? Do you realize how profound that is? Some people go their entire lives without ever figuring that out.

I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to learn from the youth I work with, and I tell them on a regular basis. I believe that should recognize that they are contributing just as much to my education as I am to theirs. Their growth is connected to my own.

Maria Pérez
Ready to Learn Providence

Hace unas semanas atrás puse en práctica una de las actividades sugeridas en el dominio “Desarrollo Social y Emocional.” Establecí una conversación con tres niñas en las que se encontraba una niña muy especial que siempre permanece callada y en una actitud introvertida. Luego de comentar acerca de las diferentes cosas o situaciones que nos producen alegría, tristeza o enojo, me quede mirando a los ojos a la niña y esta comenzó hablar de lo que la hace feliz y lo que le da tristeza. No podía crear lo que estaba sucediendo. Por primera vez la niña respondía con sonidos, no gestos. Fue un momento mágico, donde los niños y yo nos mantuvimos conectados y cómodos en expresar nuestras emociones.

English Translation: A few weeks ago I implemented one of the suggested activities from the Social and Emotional Development Domain. I engaged in a conversation with three young girls, one of which is a very special girl – she always remains silent and displays an introverted attitude. After talking about the different things and situations that make us happy, sad or angry, I looked into her eyes and she began to talk about the things that make her happy and/or sad. I couldn’t believe what was happening. For the first time this girl was responding with sounds no just with facial expressions. It was a magical moment: the children and I connected and were able to express our feelings.

Miguelina Rodriguez
Ready to Learn Providence

Lo primero que me paso es que he descubierto la habilidad que yo jamás me hubiera imaginado en mi vida y es la de alfabetizar y trabajar con niños, y esto ha cambiado por complete mi vida, al recibir el amor y el afecto de esos niños ha sido el mejor regalo que ha recibido desde que llegue a este país. De uno de los centros de cuidado de niños que visito, un niño les tocaba la evaluación de la escuela para el próximo año escolar su madre lo llevo a la cita y el no supo contestar ni, hacer nada y les dieron otra cita para que se prepara mejor y la proveedora me lo dijo y yo muy extrañada les dije si me dejaba hablar con la mama del niño para decirles que me dejara llevarlo a la próxima cita y cuál fue mi mayor satisfacción que cuando lleve al niño: Dijo que yo era su mama porque yo les había enseñado el ABC y después contesto todas las preguntas y escribió su nobre, el profesor les pregunto quién te enseño y el niño dijo ella, Miss Miguelina y me dio un beso y para mi esta ha sido mi mayor satisfacción.

English Translation: The first thing that happened is that I discovered that I have an ability that I never imagined – the ability to teach literacy and work with children and this is something that has completely changed my life; the children’s love and affection is the best gift I’ve received since I arrived in this country. At one of the Child Care Centers that I normally visit there was a child who was being evaluated before the new school year. The child didn’t do so well so the mother was asked to bring him back a second time. When I heard about it I asked the provider to speak with the mother so that she would allow me to go and be with the child on their next appointment. To my surprise, at the appointment the child said that I was his mother because I taught him his ABC’s, he then answered all the questions and wrote his name – the teacher asked him who had taught him all this and he said, “she did, Miss Miguelina”, he gave me a kiss and this gives me a great sense of satisfaction.

Mirna Carrillo
Ready to Learn Providence

“Para el amor no hay idiomas” Cuando empecé a trabajar en el salón de clase con dieciocho niños, con poco ingles pero con mucho amor que dar, asi que con mucho miedo pero manos a la obra. En todo tiempo he tratado de brindarle amor, un abrazo, decirle palabras que les agrada oír y desde luego realizando actividades. Mi primera actividad fue que elabore un árbol de coco del libro Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Ellos lo amaron tanto que desde ese día esperan que todas la semanas yo lleve algo divertido para aprender, les motivo que escriban nombres y números, y lo lindo de esto que para las fiestas algunos de ellos le pidieron a sus mamas darme notas y dibujos lo mejor de todo que ellos escribieron mi nombre diciendo con amor para Miss Mirna, eso es especial, porque eres capaz de hacer sentir estos sentimientos, y esperar cada mañana por ese abrazo sincero, que te cuenten lo que sienten, decirte que te extrañaron el fin de semana, que eres alguien importante para ellos, que tienes que tomarte tiempo para que este te alcance para poder compartir con todos, porque ellos quieren que tu compartas con ellos. Esto es lo más grande que como ser humano te llena y te da la felicidad plena.

English Translation: “Love has no need for [different] languages”. When I started working in the classroom with eighteen kids and with a limited (ability to speak) English but with plenty of love to give, in spite of the fear I said, “Let’s get to it”. I always make an effort to share my love, a hug, an encouraging word while implementing an activity. My first activity was to create a coconut tree based on the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book. The kids loved it so much that every day since that day they expect me to bring a fun, learning activity every week. I encourage them to write their names and numbers and the cutest thing is that for the parties they asked their Moms to write me a note along with some of their drawings dedicated with love to Miss Mirna. That’s so special because you are able to experience all these feelings and every morning you can expect a hug, to hear how their feeling, to know that you were missed on the weekends. You’re someone important to them, so much so that you need to watch your time because they want you to spend time with them all. As a human being, this is the sweetest feeling and the greatest happiness you can experience.

Perla Benitez
Mount Hope Learning Center

I serve because to me that is a great way to be happy. Mount Hope and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School are like my second home. This is my second year of service in the after school program. As shown in the picture, we, as corps members, get to help hundreds of kids every year. The kids learn and develop their skills for math, reading and writing with the diverse activities we offer them. But the most valuable thing to me is the affection and friendship I get to develop with every child. They really appreciate all of our effort and they demonstrate it by showing us their love, which is more important than all the money in the world.

Rachel Schwartz
MuseumCorps - Providence Children's Museum

Rebecca Gallegos
Ready to Learn Providence

I moved to Rhode Island two months after my high school graduation. I had just turned eighteen and was living on my own in a new city where I knew no one. To say the least, I was scared. I was placed at Brown Fox Point, greeted by smiling men and women who welcomed me with open arms and an energy that surged through every inch of the walls. I was nervous I wouldn’t be equipped with enough education to lead me through challenges in the classroom, but my support system was so strong that they would not let me fall. The teachers and other staff showed me the ropes and answered all my questions honestly. They gave me hugs when I was struggling and saw me changing from a girl who was obviously nervous and hadn’t found her niche in the classroom to a very productive, happy, positive light with helping hands and expanding knowledge. My connection with the kids has been the most meaningful however. I feel so privileged to share my energy and knowledge with the kids as they do the same for me. They show me that I can make a difference. When I see a child begin to grasp a concept they struggled with for so long, I can feel in my heart, I am there for a reason.

Sherley Fleurima
Ready to Learn Providence

My reflection on the impact that the AmeriCorps program and service had on the community is truly meaningful. Serving at the Mt. Hope/East Side YMCA child care unleashed an awareness and curiosity in children. Why do they act the way they do? Why do they feel the way they do? What is their style of processing information? Preschoolers entrusted in my care were able to advance in the writing continuum. In the beginning these children scribbled their names with doubt and uncertainty, not knowing when to dot “i’s” or cross “t’s.” As a result of continuous drill, practice, and encouragement, these same preschoolers gained the ability to write their names clearly and with pride. To the head teacher, staff, and myself, a preschooler showing full development in the writing continuum is a big and significant achievement.

Steven Polanco
East Bay Community Action AmeriCorps Program

I serve because I enjoy helping others who are in dire need of assistance. As this system of things advances in years, more people are struggling economically, emotionally, and physically. Problems are in abundance, and more intense now than ever before. I am serving by tutoring youth who are in school or out of school. These kids are the future, so they need the right guidance, no matter how far they have deviated from the correct path in life. How can the youth of today be successful when they are not taught practical, useful, satisfying, life-saving things? Success cannot be measured monetarily. It is measured by the decisions made in life. The right decisions in life may not lead to being economically stable, but they are decisions that can lead to a happy (as happy as this system of things can permit given its current condition and its future) and satisfying life. I am glad to be serving the community in this way, as I am certain others are enjoying their service to the community in other ways. I understand that, as imperfect humans, we cannot bring permanent changes and happiness to humanity, but one smile, no matter how long it lasts, is great testimony of the love many people strive to give.

William Ruggiero
Mount Hope Learning Center

I serve because the stakes are too high today for me not to. I have learned that it is the civic duty of a responsible American to be cognizant of the needs of others’ communities. As a college graduate, I have the societal privilege of my voice having a source of agency. I feel like it is my duty to become engaged within a community and help in some way shape or form to help its members find ways to have agency when going out into the world. I grew up in South America and grew up in a town with parts so destitute that people used tin sheets as roofs to their makeshift houses. All of my friends belonged to this community but as a child I could not do much else than offer them friendship to change their living situation. But now as an adult, I have the chance to do more and to give back. During my time with AmeriCorps, I have come to learn that you both have to accept inequality and reject it right away so as to not have it guide your purpose of serving. Service takes time and it takes patience. My service involved teaching children at a low-income school and although change is slow to come when it does it’s an inexplicable feeling.

Yris Perez
Ready to Learn Providence

Al prestar mí servicio en los salones de clases del centro Pawtucket Day Head Start, el cual se compone de cuatro salones de clases con un total de dieciocho niños por salón. El impacto que ha producido en mi vida ha sido satisfactorio ya que me ha dado la oportunidad de desarrollar habilidades y destrezas que yo tenía pero que ni yo mismo conocía. Por ejemplo, el ver como pueda ser útil no solo con los niños sino también con los padres ya que he servido de traductora para los padres a pesar de que mi ingles no es muy bueno en reuniones. Y ver cómo puedo ayudar esos niños que realmente necesitan mi ayuda emocional y psicológica es sumamente importante y al ver como ellos siguen mis instrucciones es muy lindo.