The clock strikes five o’clock. Puzzle pieces are
quickly disassembled and thrown into their respective boxes. Kids put on their coats and grab their backpacks before trickling out the door into the arms of their guardians.
This is a typical day at the after-school program I volunteer at. Culture Club provides a safe, constructive environment for elementary-age students of Boyd Elementary, a school that lies in a part of Springfield that faces many challenges. Eighty-two percent of students that attend Boyd are enrolled in the
free and reduced lunch program. Students such as these are at a disadvantage when it comes to being successful in their education, attending college, and ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty.
This isn’t an issue exclusive to one school or one neighborhood. 1 in 4 people in Springfield live below the national poverty line. These are often hardworking, good people working multiple jobs just to stay afloat. Many lack the means of providing the necessities and essentials for their families.
That is where the importance of volunteer programs comes in. Programs such as Culture Club make a difference in the lives of students. Volunteers work with kids on their homework, helping them through their assignments before letting them go play. The program provides a hot meal before the kids leave to ensure they don’t go to bed hungry. Many of these kids might not receive assistance with their academics or even a warm meal anywhere else.
But how do I justify taking the time out of my day to volunteer? I’m a college student. I have a busy schedule. I have to work to pay my bills, and I appreciate finding a coupon for a half-off pizza just as much as the next person.
A particular instance comes to mind. I had been volunteering regularly at this after-school program for quite some time–long enough that I had developed a relationship with several kids. One in particular, I would always help him with his math homework. Over the weeks, I saw the fourth grader make strides in his math homework. The grades were one thing, but he had developed a sense of ownership and and enthusiasm toward learning. He genuinely wanted to succeed. As the semester’s end neared, I told him I wouldn’t be back for several weeks. He inquired why, and said, “Don’t
leave. Everybody always leaves me.”
I serve to make a positive impact on others. To inspire success. To use my talents and resources to improve the life of someone else. It’s our duty to lend an assisting hand to others, and to provide for their most basic needs if we have the means of doing so.
The Springfield area faces a variety of challenges that take all sorts of skillsets to overcome. Check out the Community Focus Report at http://springfieldcommunityfocus.org/
to learn how you can make a difference in someone else’s life.
-Brandon McCoy, junior Economics major