It is hard to believe that it has really only been a handful of months since I started as an AmeriCorps volunteer, working with Playworks Pennsylvania. It feels like so much growth has happened in these past few months, showing me the reciprocal learning that has informed my practice as a development practitioner, and the impact of my service.
My Junior Coaches are perhaps my best example of the influence that my service has had. Watching my 17 students learn, grow, and change through new leadership experiences has been striking and eye opening. These 4th and 5th graders are thriving in this often difficult leadership role. My Junior Coaches are given time most after-school sessions to share out about their experiences, and learn from others successes and failures. Together these scholars are becoming a powerful unit, made up of strong individual leaders.
The year is not over yet, and I am excited to see what comes next for my students. I am grateful to my service as it has allowed me to learn how change can and will happen, both on the individual and community level.
