Maybe I’ve just got my ear to the ground, but I’ve been hearing more and more talk about national service: it’s in the stimulus package,  at the Hudson Institute, in the news, and of course, in the blogosphere.
I could wax poetic about rethinking citizenship or the need for change, but since CKP is fortunate to have several Americorps *VISTAs as coordinators, I thought it might be better to listen to them.

On why they serve:
Says Sarah Heim, VISTA and coordinator at CKUVM: I decided to become a VISTA in order to gain experience working in non-profit administration before beginning my studies in public service law. I became really passionate about public service work during my undergraduate studies and spent my first year out of college working for an international non-profit in Germany. I wanted to spend an additional year working with a domestic non-profit organization before continuing my studies in law school. I really enjoy working with young people, so spending a year as a Campus Compact VISTA seemed like a perfect fit.
Says Ashley Cupaiuolo, VISTA coordinator at CKJU: I have always had the feeling that I was going to help others. I took a huge interest in Psychology and thought that was how I was to help others. Well, I took a Sociology course and everything just felt right about this field. I took on a double major my Junior year, and I was still stuck between the two fields. I am a huge nerd in school, I love studying and I can recite anything I have learned, but as far as life experience I really didn’t have as much as I would like. I had always volunteered, but I still didn’t feel I had enough experience to go onto further studies. I will one day go to graduate school, but as for now AmeriCorps is exactly where I should be.

On young people serving:
Sarah: Many people our age tend to be idealistic go getters (myself included). I think that young people often become frustrated by many of the injustices they witness in their communities and feel a need to be a part of the solution.
Ashley: In the area I am located there seems to be a scarcity of people in this age group drawn to service. I think that there are always groups of people drawn to service no matter what age, and they are the ones that keep the light of humanity glowing.

On hunger:
Sarah: Hunger is one of the most pressing issues facing society today. People who are hungry have one main concern – getting enough food to survive. Children who don’t have access to the food and nutrients necessary to fuel their ever-developing bodies perform poorly in school, often have developmental issues and are at a distinct disadvantage from their peers. Adults who are hungry are more worried about finding their next meal than applying for a job or furthering their education. We cannot begin to tackle issues of education or unemployment without first
addressing the greater issue of hunger.
Ashley: Stopping hunger should be one of our main efforts in America. Especially the prevalence of the waste of leftover food from, for example businesses, schools, etc., when most of the time the neighboring community is hungry. If we can stop the excess waste of food, and filter it back out into the areas that are hungry, this will not only save money but lives. We have to start somewhere, and I believe stopping hunger helps instill not only nutrition, but hope into the lives that need it most.

On making a difference:
Sarah: It’s difficult to measure the difference one is making within any community. I believe that I am helping college students to develop an awareness of issues revolving around hunger and poverty and giving them the resources necessary to make a difference and impact change. I hope that they will continue to use their new knowledge and skills acquired through their involvement in Campus Kitchens and Community Service Programs after their time in college and continue to strive to make a difference in their communities.
Ashley: I see that I am making a difference, but do I feel I am? To be honest no, because I always want to do more. I feel I am the tool that is helping to make a difference, I helped to create a consistent opportunity for students to reach out to their community.

On service:
Ashley: I believe that we are all humans put on this earth together, we need to work together to make this our world. Service has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, I have an ingrained passion and feeling that I was born to help others. There are too many people out there who do not understand the importance of service, and we can only show them one by one just how important it is. If there is suffering in close vicinity to where one lives, then there is an obligation for the community to come together and bring that suffering down. From both ends, the helper and the helpee, there are always lessons to learn. Humans need human interaction, and going out of one’s comfort zone is the best way to fulfill that need. It does not matter one’s field of interest, helping another in need always sparks a light in the hearts of those who do reach out to their community.

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