National Service as an investment in communities

Today President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which will among other things expand AmeriCorps, a network of organizations provide opportunities for Americans to provide community service, from 75,000 to 250,000 members. AmeriCorps volunteers commit to part- and full-time terms of service in programs that range from beautifying national and state parks to providing literacy support for elementary school students in the urban core. Most AmeriCorps members receive a small living stipend and are eligible an education award upon completion of the term of service. The Kennedy Act will increase this education award, making terms of service more viable for people of all economic backgrounds.

Chicago is quite lucky to have a number of worthwhile programs currently serving communities across the city and the benefits go far beyond after school programs in elementary schools, teacher training and support in high schools, regular help in shelters and community beautification projects in blighted areas. While these types of services are needed more than ever as economic downturn drives the need stretch social services to more people and provide opportunities to take pride in themselves, these types of programs are a long-term investment in Chicago and vitality of its communities.

Community service and the opportunities AmeriCorps programs provide draw talented young people from around the country to Chicago, provide opportunities for native Chicagoans to serve in their hometown, and expose countless individuals to the social, political and economic realities of urban life. Following college and without any geographic anchor one AmeriCorps program, City Year Chicago, drew me to this city. In my first year I worked as a tutor at McCutcheon Elementary in Uptown where I learned about the challenges that immigration, homelessness and poverty pose to children and their families. I moved up in the organization and led teams working on the South and West sides of the city where I learned how disinvestment and depopulation strip communities of their vitality. In addition I learned technical skills in team leadership, grant management, program analysis and organizational politics. My time with City Year also exposed me to the number of organizations and theories of how best to build our community. I decided to stay and see myself having a long career of public service in Chicago.

Many of my fellow AmeriCorps members similarly came to understand their responsibility to learn about their community, build their skills in being productive members of it, and pass on their lessons to others in the community. Some may have only stayed here for a year or two, but while here they made it their responsibility to be full time big citizens. During my tenure with AmeriCorps we only did a few projects in Rogers Park, the relatively low rent, youth-friendly atmosphere and safety of the neighborhood makes it a host to dozens of AmeriCorps members each year. The passage and implementation of the Kennedy Serve America Act is good for the country, our community and individuals. This is the type of long-term investment that is worth far more than any sports exhibition or quick-fix solution to our current economic problems.