Why I Want to Do a Second Year of Service
It is the middle of March as I write this entry. Around this time, we as AmeriCorps States have to start thinking about what we plan to do next year. Some of us are going back to school. Others are looking for more permanent job opportunities. I am in neither of these categories. What appeals to me is doing a second year of service at Generations Incorporated. For me, this was an easy decision. In my eyes, one year of service does not fully allow me to showcase my skills or understand the gravity of what is happening in the schools of Boston.
By doing a second year of service, I will be able to apply the skills I picked up throughout my first year right away at the sites I am assigned to. This will allow for the programs to be set up sooner and create the opportunity for more kids to be served. Having seen the struggles of the students in both my school and after school programs, I believe that doing a second year of service will allow me to have even more of an impact on the students of Boston. Everyday I have students running up to me at my sites asking if they can read with Generations. To me, this is more then them wanting to get out of class. I see kids who genuinely want to learn to read, but don’t have the support they need to do this. I feel it is my duty as a human being to do whatever I can to give these kids as much help and support as possible in their quest to read. One year of service in my eyes is not enough of a commitment to these kids. I want to see them progress over more than the span of a year. Throughout my year of service, I have grown very attached to the kids. It is only fair that I give back to them what they have given me.
Jason Horowitz is an AmeriCorps member at Generations Inc. You can contact him at jhorowitz@generationsinc.org.
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Jason,
Thank you for such a wonderfully moving and inspirational post. I am grateful and proud that you have chosen to do a second year. And I must admit that I feel the same way each year when our Corps members finish their year of service. I’ve grown very attached, one year isn’t enough! Thanks.
Best,
Mary
I completely share your sentiment that one year doesn’t feel like long enough. I think that your decision is wonderful and you will have a great impact on the kids as well as the next set of AmeriCorps!