Now that my service is coming to an end, I have a chance to sit back and reflect on all of the projects that I've assisted on and the number of people that my service organization has helped. It's mind boggling to see the amount of good that this agency has done. The number of people that they've helped is staggering. The people that receive services are grateful and most of them begin to look for a way to give back to the community that gave them the critical help that they needed so desperately. It almost feels like a pay-it-forward system. It truly is amazing to see how people interact and respond to these situations.
To me, homelessness is not a "challenge" as some might say. I believe homelessness is a problem. "Challenges" are something to overcome, problems are something that won't go away until there is a permanent fix. For the most part, if we lose a challenge, we just try again next time and if we decide that we don't want to try that challenge again and try a new one, it's no big deal. Most challenges don't have a lot of negative side effects. Problems on the other hand, aren't as easy to dismiss. If you have a problem and it isn't fixed, there is almost always negative repercussions. I look at it like this, a challenge is something like "I couldn't finish that 5K race, I'll try better next time!" and a problem is more like "If you don't change that circuit box, the building could burn down due to an electrical fire." That might be a little bit exaggerated but that's kinda how I feel about.
AmeriCorps is a great program to help address this problem. When I started I wasn't sure how well I would be able help combat such a tremendous foe or if I'd even be any help at all. The staff that orientated us at our first meeting really dug in and showed us what we could do to help. It seems so impossible in the beginning but as my service year started to get underway I was involved with the November Needs Drive and then in January, Project Homeless Connect. It didn't take much time to see that ANYONE could help if they were given a little direction and the facts behind the problem.
The experiences and knowledge that I've gained from my service have been outstanding and irreplaceable. I also have gained a new appreciation for everyone that works in human services. It takes a special kind of person that has a lot of heart and patience to do what they do. The determination and convection to the job that they have is unwavering. I salute all of them.
In the end, I would like to thank AmeriCorps and LEAHC for an unforgettable year of service and experiences. I am truly grateful for everything and wish the best to all that fight to end this problem. I'll remain as a volunteer for the organization that I was serving. I hope other AmeriCorps members do the same.
My name is William Willnow, I fight to end homelessness.
