This is a simple ask
that no one trivialize what I have chosen, along with thousands of others, to
do with my year. That is especially
because I don't want my work for the cause to end when my service term does,
because that would be unsustainable and irresponsible. You may call me crazy but I think anyone that
doesn't do more for the homeless, hungry, and struggling should step back and
realize what is crazy is the ignorance of our nation. Let me elaborate...
In deciding to serve
with Americorps for the year, I am choosing to serve my country and help those
in need. What is happening to us, that I
have to feel it a poor decision to help my fellow Americans, and my community? I pray we haven't become so selfish. Now don't get me wrong, I am not tooting my
horn but I am trying to get out some frustration with all the questioning. I am also trying to make people think about
how they serve their community, because we should all be doing what we can
(with what we have) to give back, whether it be in time, money, or prayer. We all have the capacity to give, and as
God's people by golly he CALLS us to.
Since 1994
Americorps members have given 1 billion hours of service to their
communities. I am one of about 800,000
for which Americorps seems like a great way to give back, learn, and grow. When I left Meredith College I'd admit that I
was ready to try and save the world. No
one single person can do that, but if thousands of us commit to serve in any
sort of capacity, whether it be Americorps or just volunteering I know the
world would look different. Living on a
budget that places me below the poverty line is both challenging and eye
opening. It reminds me of how much I
have to be grateful for, but how much more simply I could be living. 1 in 7 Americans are living in poverty and of
those living in poverty, one third are children… And people want to know why I
decided to serve?!
The need for housing
is rising. In our world there are 1 billion people living in slums. I won't try to fix any of these problems
alone, but I will make sure that I am part of a group that is trying. Since I can only be a piece to the puzzle, I
will also advocate and ask others to join in, from policymakers to folks in the
private sector. Going to the leadership
conference for Habitat Americorps members gave me lots of ideas on what to ask,
and do. There is plenty to be done and I
will remember that on the harder days. I
feel honored to be a part of the Habitat Americorps family and lucky that I had the opportunity to apply and move to Dallas to work with Habitat for
Humanity.
I will get things
done for America - to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring
Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I
will take action.
Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.
Faced with
adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this
commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps
member, and I will get things done.
-Americorps member
pledge
No comments:
Post a Comment