How AmeriCorps Service has Impacted my Life

(Melissa here. We're having some technical difficulties, so I am posting Kevin's entry on his behalf. Enjoy!)

My name is Kevin Bell. I work for the Housing Support Services group at Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW)/Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I started my second year of service in October 2011.

I graduated with a Master of Public Health degree in Health Promotion and Education three years ago. At the time, I scoped out ideally the type of work I wanted to do—coordinate and facilitate wellness activities in an employee or community health program, designing and implementing health intervention programs, and working with older adults. I applied for lots of positions and had many interviews without landing a full-time, living wage job.

I found my Americorps position, answering an advertisement on the CSSW Web site. I was unsure how this would impact me as a person and my future employment plans.

As a person, I feel more independent and self-reliant. I fee confident and less timid about making important decisions. The mentoring and supportive staff I work with has had the greatest impact. These folks are my support network, my friends—people I can trust and on which I rely. These people and the memories I have will be with me forever.

I have become a more grounded individual. Any change is hard, but this position has made it less difficult to adapt to change. I have become more flexible in dealing with other individuals—family and friends included.

I have gained a lot of good job skills and experience, too. Two years of full-time non-profit experience! I coordinate and facilitate the care of eleven consumers. I plan, organize, coordinate, and facilitate events like health fairs and a walking group. I have linked consumers to thousands of dollars of emergency funds to help them avoid eviction or utility shut-off.

I continue to learn about the services local social service agencies provide and network with many professionals that work with these agencies. My hope is that these contacts will enable me to find employment in the local community once my service ends.