This is Jackie and Sam starting our new blog! This blog gives us an opportunity to share our stories of community service at Kelly Hall YMCA. Kelly Hall YMCA is located in West Humboldt of Chicago, in the southwest side. The DePaul University description for HOOPS and HOPES (our DePaul Community Service Association site) describes it as a volunteer group that is committed to tutoring, mentoring and playing sports with the inner city students of Chicago. This is what we intend to do while working at Kelly Hall YMCA, however the reality of the work that we do is much more complicated.
Sam and I began co-coordinating our DCSA site last winter. We have become very close friends through the experiences we have shared together. We share a strong passion for bettering the lives of the students we spend time with. We hope to share many of these experiences with you and bring light to some of the complexities these kids face. Although many of their stories are sad, we have seen great happiness in their lives. We want to make an attempt to share the highs and lows that both the children and we face living and working in this community. We hope to give justice to the community by sharing their stories.
Sam and I meet weekly after our Vincentians In Action (VIA) reflection, and hope to update the blog each week with these stories!
I (Jackie) began getting involved with community service my freshman year of college. Although I did the occasional monthly day of service in high school, I did not get involved in community service until college. I came to DePaul University with a Leadership Scholarship. My scholarship, DePaul Leadership Scholars (Dels) educates us on ethical, responsible leadership. Our freshmen year, after an amazing "welcome week" we were assigned a service site for the year. I was assigned to work with AIRE (Achieving Immigrant's Rights and Equality). I volunteered at the Little Village site tutoring ESL adults. I fell in love with the work I was doing and the people I was helping. At the end of the year, I applied to be the coordinator of the service site. Unfortunately, I did not become coordinator of AIRE, however I became coordinator of Hoops and Hopes at Kelly Hall YMCA. Although I was originally disappointed, I grew to love my new site. For the past year and a half I have been volunteering at Kelly Hall YMCA.
I (Sam) had my life changed as a sophomore in high school when I started volunteering at Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), a national non-profit grief camp. Working at CZC opened my eyes to what a difference service can make. I lost my father to a brain aneurysm when I was 8 years old. Despite lots of challenges I was very lucky because I have great friends and family members. Losing my father at a young age taught me the importance of having positive role models in life. Upon returning from Comfort Zone Camp I dedicated myself to being the best role model I could be for young people, especially young men. I became involved with Hoops and Hopes the 3rd week of my freshman year. I also got involved because I have a scholarship through DePaul. I am a DePaul Community Service Scholar, which promotes social justice and social learning. Getting involved with Hoops created a bright beginning for my freshman year. I have made so many connections with both the people I volunteer with as well as the kids I work with. I became a co-coordinator with Jackie winter of last year and take the position very seriously. I am thankful Jackie and I are both so passionate about the work we do, and I cannot wait to share our stories with you all.
With love and hope,
Sam & Jackie
