As someone who chose to participate in a second year of AmeriCorps service, I understood the ups and downs of a year of service. I grew so much, both personally and professionally, during my first year that I knew my journey in service was not over yet. Many people question why someone would commit a year to this lifestyle, but they cannot even begin to understand signing up for a second. In my first year of service in Florida, a speaker at one of our events quoted, "To those who much is given, much is expected." This has been my driving force during my year of service with the Chicago Health Corps. As educated men and women we must be conscious of the fact that we did not arrive here alone. We have been given much along the way, and it is our responsibility to share that knowledge.
During my time at Esperanza Health Centers and the Chicago Health Corps, I have been supported in my professional growth in ways I never knew possible. I have transformed from a recent graduate to a strong, independent woman who knows the city of Chicago up and down, can live off 900 bucks a month, and who finally feels direction and the ability to pursue service for a lifetime. The greatest part of AmeriCorps is finding how your passions can effect change. AmeriCorps has provided the space to continue to share and enhance the unique things that make me Erin Howes.
My AmeriCorps team has supported me through every challenge and nurtured my strengths. You won't find a better group of service-minded professionals who will encourage your Spanish skills, invite you to share your nutrition resources, and participate in booty-dropping, hip-shaking Zumba sessions.
As our year of service draws to a close, we are all parting ways to our next adventures. I know we will use our year of service to better the lives of others in the fields we pursue. And based on their dance moves, I know we have a great line-up of health care professionals in our futures.
This post was written by CHC member 