AmeriCorps Journal: Erik Rosen

Hello. My name is Erik Rosen and I’m an AmeriCorps National Direct member working within Chicago Cares’ Youth in Service program.

As a Youth in Service member, I design and manage meaningful service projects for youth volunteers ages 8-18. The projects, meant to adhere to the model of service learning, challenge the students to step outside of their comfort zones in order to address a pressing need within their community or in those foreign to them.

Through my service with Chicago Cares, I’ve developed tremendous relationships with various community partners throughout the city. From passionate resident service coordinators at low-income senior housing buildings to a wonderfully dedicated volunteer director at a west side youth center, I’ve worked alongside individuals who have the utmost care and respect for those they serve and for the communities in which they live.

Either through purchasing project supplies, conducting a site visit or leading a project, my service has introduced me to areas of the city that I might otherwise never understand or venture to. In communities plagued by gang violence,  drug activity and insurmountable poverty, there are courageous citizens who everyday work to improve the lives of their neighbors. These individuals provide hope to crime ridden neighborhoods that so many others have given up on. These individuals inspire me to make a positive difference. 

Sometimes I’m asked if I’m ever apprehensive about visiting these under resourced communities. My response is always the same: “This is where people live.” 

Although this past year has been filled with an array of life-long learning experiences, my most rewarding and fulfilling moments came this summer when I worked with three schools participating in the Summer of Service and Learning program. For four weeks, students studied social issues concerning the environment, aging, poverty and homelessness. As part of their service learning experience, the students would participate in a volunteer project that focused specifically on that week’s issue area. My role consisted of designing and managing these service projects and activities. While removing invasive species overcrowding a local park to preparing and serving a hot breakfast to senior citizens, I was blown away by the overall dedication and teamwork of the students who for the most part just recently made introductions. Witnessing young people grow not only as individuals but as a group is a truly remarkable sight.

Kudos to Our Youth in Service Team!

Our Youth in Service team has been toiling away this summer, working hard to create  and manage meaningful projects for students participating in the Summer of Service and Leadership. One of the seniors they served told us, "I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I especially appreciate all the kids that showed up to give their time and energy for us. I believe that when young people put in such an effort we seniors have a responsibility to make it a wonderful experience for them as well...thank you for arranging this get together." Big thank you to the students, seniors, and community partners making the Summer of Service and Leadership such a success, and kudos to our Youth in Service team!

A New Kind of Summer Camp

Afternoons by the lake and hanging out with friends are what make some kids’ summers. For others, specifically youth living in Chicago’s south and west sides, summer in the city can be a very different experience.  Violence, and gang activity riddle the streets in many neighborhoods, making it impossible for some to walk down the block and enjoy a warm summer day. Children that should be enjoying a good summer read like “The Time Machine” or “Noonie’s Masterpiece” may not have access to a library or the resources to get to a library. So, how do we protect our future generation from the violent streets and provide them with the opportunity they need?

One program, The Summer of Service and Leadership (SOSL), is tackling some of these difficult issues facing many of Chicago’s youth. SOSL is a four week program designed to educate and empower incoming 9^th grade students to become active members of their school community. The transition into high school is one of the toughest in a students’ academic and social life; the dropout rate of youth in this age group is the highest of any age group. 

Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education said, “When our children are struggling and they need to learn more, the most important thing we can do is spend time working with them.” SOSL is an answer to that call.  Starting with a tour of their new school, the incoming freshmen participate in classes focused on leadership development, team building, and community issues. Once a week, the students get outside of the classroom to complete a service project in their community. “[Summer of Service and Leadership] provides a creative outlet for students, with academic and personal enrichment”, Duncan went on to say. 

Students involved in successful service-learning programming, like that of the SOSL, are more likely to stay in school, do better academically and develop a personal and social responsibility. Students who participate in SOSL express continued interest in their school community and many continue on to become student leaders. The program also helps bond campus and community which promotes pride and interest within the school community at large.

How can you get involved?

Chicago Cares has partnered with area high schools and several community partners to provide this service learning experience for Chicago’s youth. The SOSL program may only be four weeks in the summer, but as a Youth in Service leader you can provide ongoing mentorship and leadership year round.   If you have a passion for working with youth and want to educate, engager, and empower them to be a leader through service, then complete the Youth in Service Leadership application. You can be a role model in the life of a teen and foster the idea of volunteerism and community activism. For more information on becoming a Youth in Service Leader visit the webpage.

Thank You to Our Summer of Service and Leadership Sponsors!

A special THANK YOU to our donors who helped to make Summer of Service and Leadership a success and possibility for over 200 Chicago Public School freshman. With the help of the below mentioned, Chicago Cares’ Youth in Service was able to plan, implement, and manage projects that challenge students to identify issues in their community and design and carry out service projects to address those issues. The donors continued support throughout the year also help to further instill the skills and tools the students learn during this summer program. 



THANK YOU for your support of youth service and learning!

Trani Family Foundation
Grainger
The CarMax Foundation
Prestoncrest Church of Christ
Second Presbyterian Church
St. John's Lutheran Church
Civitas Schools LLC