Signing up to serve

The decision to enter programs such as AmeriCorps, City Year, Student Conservation Association and the Peace Corps are those left up to strong individuals willing to put in personal time and effort.

Over the years, these programs have been in high demand because of the student education awards given to volunteers.

The awards may be substantial, but for many participants, the experiences and memories exceed the awarded check after the initial completion of hours. One of these participants is Benjamin Hall, KSC alum and AmeriCorps member who joined the organization in June of 2009.

Hall, who moved to Colorado, said the most difficult experience in AmeriCorps has been the transition to a new environment, a new job and new people.

Hall said the experience compares to being a first year college student. He described his job as an overall positive and meaningful experience thus far.

Hall said he works through AmeriCorps with a non-profit charity teaching outdoor education, which includes skiing and snowboarding. He described the workload as sometimes intense but also a perfect combination between his passion for skiing and community service. Hall said his interest in skiing first started when he was young and added that 2010 marks his twentieth year  enjoying the sport since he was three-years-old. In two months, Hall will be done with his service and said he will attend graduate school at Boston College.

Hall added that before making a final decision about entering a program one should know exactly what he or she is signing up for.

KSC junior Daniel Colina said he is planning on starting the application process for the Peace Corps in the fall. Colina, who recalled telling his mother when he was younger that he wanted  to be a missionary one day, has worked ever since helping communities.

Colina said his ultimate goal one day is to open a boy’s and girl’s club, with not only the goal to help the community, but to inspire and engage young people in making differences in their communities. Colina added that his mother’s motivation to service inspired him to inspire others. Previously a part-time volunteer for AmeriCorps, Colina joined not to pay off his student loans, but for the importance of community service.  

“Any type of service makes a difference,” Colina said.

Colina added that he is a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and hopes he will get accepted to the service.

Another KSC student planning to apply for service after graduation is Ali Marino. Marino, a junior, described the Student Conservation Association as her perfect match because of her general interests.

Mike Maher, an employee of the SCA, shared advice to audience members who attended an informational session held April 6.

“Concentrate on what you want to do, and not where you want to go,” Maher said, referring to a destination where one would volunteer.

He also added that students in the past have been surprised by how much responsibility is given and how much is learned.

“Create an experience that you will be able to put on your resume,” Maher said. For members of these types of organizations, they are doing just that.

Brittany Murphy can be contacted at bmurphy@keeneequinox.com.