The lasting impact of a great AmeriCorps experience

A little over ten years ago when I was midway through my senior year of college, I was forced to answer the question every college student tries to avoid as long as they can: “what am I going to do with my life after graduation?” For me, the answer was to join AmeriCorps. I served two consecutive years in AmeriCorps—both with Habitat for Humanity (one with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and one with Habitat for Humanity San Antonio).

As I reflect on what I gained from my two years of AmeriCorps service, I am struck by how much of those two years are a part of my life still today. The obvious skill that I learned in AmeriCorps and that is still prevalent in my everyday life is the construction knowledge I gained from building homes. As a proud homeowner now, I get excited about the idea of tearing in to my bathroom that hasn't been updated since the 1970's (my wife is less excited about this as it means another few “weeks” of dealing with dust, hammering, and the smell of paint). But I take pride in being able to repair and remodel my own home as this is one of the obvious ways in which my AmeriCorps experience is still with me today.

Another profound impact AmeriCorps has made on me is teaching me the importance of voting. I remember debating with another AmeriCorps member I served with about the importance of voting (up until that point in my life, I never felt the need to vote). I recall making the case that my one vote isn't going to make a difference. To make a long story short, by the end of the year I was convinced that exercising my right to vote was as important as the service I performed in AmeriCorps. (And as any Minnesotan who has voted in recent elections can attest, indeed one vote can make a difference.)

In addition to the construction trainings I participated in while serving in AmeriCorps, we also learned about the meaning of being an active and engaged citizen. This means not only voting but understanding how local and state governments function. I am by no means an expert but coupled with a few rudimentary civic classes I had in high school and the civic engagement trainings in AmeriCorps, I can now follow what is happening at the Capitol and know how to engage in this process. I know which level of government is responsible for my property taxes being raised each year, I know who to contact if I want to create a community garden in my neighborhood, and I know how to work at the grassroots level to support a candidate for the state senate (all of these things I did over the past several years and are all skills I can directly trace back to learning during my two years serving in AmeriCorps).

Once a month during my AmeriCorps service our AmeriCorps group volunteered at another local non-profit organization. These service projects enabled me to see the other community needs that exist in the Twin Cities as well as learn about the other organizations doing great work to address these needs. These service projects inspired me to find a way to support other non-profits, whether it be through volunteering, advocacy, or financial support. Since I am not able to volunteer as frequently as I would like (being a father of a 10-month old will do that to you), I now make it a priority to support these organizations with a modest annual donation.

When I bought my first house, I wanted to find a way to learn more about my neighborhood and become more involved in my community. I remember learning vaguely about neighborhood associations while I served in AmeriCorps. After attending a few neighborhood association meetings, I decided to apply to serve on the board. For the last 5 + years I have served on my neighborhood association's board of directors and served as the chair of the housing committee. I can honestly say that had AmeriCorps not exposed me to the many ways one can being civically engaged, I would not be as active and involved as I am today.

As Congress debates eliminating funding for AmeriCorps altogether, I encourage you to consider my story. And my story is just one of many. AmeriCorps members across the country can tell you their own story of how AmeriCorps has positively impacted their lives. But as I learned in AmeriCorps, it is important to stand up for the things you believe in and fight for them. I hope you will choose to contact your elected officials in Washington and tell them that you value the AmeriCorps Program and the many ways it benefits our neighborhoods, our state, and our country.

Jeff Smith, AmeriCorps Program Manager for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity