Who Benefits From AmeriCorps?
Posted by Kelly Staid on Thursday, August 25, 2011
Editor’s Note: Cooking Matters is Share Our Strength’s national food education program that teaches families how to plan for and prepare healthy, affordable meals. Many Cooking Matters programs have AmeriCorps members assigned to them. These AmeriCorps work with Cooking Matters staff to implement effective hands-on courses teaching families at risk of hunger that healthy cooking can be delicious, enjoyable—and most important—affordable.
A few weeks ago, here at the New Hampshire Food Bank, I was told I was going to be on camera with the First Lady of New Hampshire and was going to be asked a few questions about AmeriCorps. I instantly got nervous.
While waiting to go on camera, I had all these great ways to explain AmeriCorps and Cooking Matters running through my head. However, as soon as I was asked the first question, “Who benefits from AmeriCorps?” I instantly froze. “Everyone,” I finally responded and I continued to elaborate on all the programs and people affected by AmeriCorps. Now that I look back on it, “everyone” was actually an excellent answer.
As an AmeriCorps Member, I’ve assisted the Cooking Matters staff in many ways. I’ve acting as a coordinator and facilitator for classes out in the community and I completed my required hours earlier than planned, enabling our program to provide more classes for the families who need it most. I’ve been able to impact volunteer instructors by acting as a leader and coach, agency site staff by providing helpful programming to their clients, and participants by educating and empowering them with the tools and confidence to provide nutritious meals to their families. I’ve even been able to share personal budgeting tips with participants.
I get asked all the time, “What is AmeriCorps?” “What is Cooking Matters?” “Why did you take this job?” and find myself having a hard time explaining everything in a few sentences. I’ve come to the realization that AmeriCorps’ impact can’t be explained in just one sentence. Working with Cooking Matters as an AmeriCorps Member has helped me grow so much. I’ve developed confidence in my abilities to coordinate, communicate, organize, facilitate, and to be a strong team member and leader. I have been exposed to hunger and poverty and have a better understanding of the situation. Seeing the transformations people make, such as cooking at home more often, eating more fruits and veggies, and incorporating family meal time is so rewarding.
I can’t wait to start my dietetic internship and put to use all the knowledge I gained as an AmeriCorp Member. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience after college.
August 25, 2011 | 2 comment(s) | Tags: AmeriCorps, Cooking Matters
Comments
2 reader comments so far.
Kelly - Thanks so much for sharing your experience! You capture what it means to "share strength" through AmeriCorps and Cooking Matters so well! Thanks for serving as a Cooking Matters AmeriCorps members! Janet
Posted by Janet on August 25, 2011
Kelly thank you for your service and for sharing the impact you had in communities, and how that connects to your personal growth. Good luck with your internship as a dietician
www.americorpsalums.org
Posted by Ben on August 26, 2011
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