I have some version of the same thought about once a week. “Wow time is flying, and soon someone I haven’t met will take over this service position”. This will pop in my head when I complete a large task that I’ve been working on for months. Or this thought will appear when I’m in a meeting and someone mentions planning nutrition guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year after my service year ends. Some days that statement is paired with guilt that I haven’t done enough or that I haven’t made a similar impact I see my fellow members make.
At our last group service day, we helped mix compost and peat into the soil at a local community garden to give the plants the best opportunity to grow in the upcoming spring and summer growing season. I realized this is a great metaphor for a lot of public health work including my own service position. As an Outreach Coordinator at the Allegheny County Health Department I get to educate school administrators and community members on the best physical activity and nutrition policies to promote childhood health. It has been amazing to see all the different ways organizations across the county, state, and country are addressing this issue, but I don’t get to see the same individual improvements and successes some members have. Just like how in the community garden it was rewarding to prep the raised beds, but I don’t get to see the fruits and vegetables that will grow in them. Plants don’t grow in a day, and the childhood obesity epidemic cannot be fixed in a year. No one service year term will be enough to support all kids, families, and communities in being more active and eating healthier. However, by supporting the work of my host site and local community partners I’ve been a part of helping kids and families grow healthy habits.
Today I have to say, “Wow time is flying, and soon someone I haven’t met will get to take over this service position.” I never thought at the start that the service year would move so quickly, but I’m so thankful for the experience. I’m also grateful to know that someone else will be in this position next year continuing the service. Much like prepping the soil at the community garden, I know that the service I have done this year will set the next member up to be able to further childhood obesity prevention.
Why did you join AmeriCorps/National Health Corps?
I was looking for an opportunity to return to the Greater Pittsburgh Area and work in public health. I’m excited to have found a position that will allow me to apply what I’ve learned, while serving my community and exploring my public health interests.
