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Jen Melnick
MACC AmeriCorps*VISTA member at Father Bill's & MainSpring in Brockton
Wanting to do something different for the day, I thought about my grandmother and how much easier it would be for her to get in touch with family and friends if she was familiar with technology surrounding internet communication. I located a local senior center through a friend's reference and set up computer skills and email workshop. I spent my MLK Day with 23 older adults at the Lynn Senior Center in Lynnfield, MA. In the morning, we practiced some basic computer skills. Once we progressed from that, they all took turns getting onto the internet, clicking the icons, and even typing addresses in the web bar! The ones who were more advanced aided in helping others create fun email addresses and they spent a bit of time calling grandkids and getting emails to add to the address book and sending out that first message. They also took some time to visit news websites and finding games to play on the computers (Solitaire, Hearts). We also discussed where they could go use local computers and which friends had computers they could share, etc. After the workshop we spent the next several hours putting together puzzles and doing some other craft projects. All in all it was a great day and there may even be more computer lessons coming in the near future!


Lucy Mock
MACC AmeriCorps*VISTA at Wheelock College in Boston
SPARK the Truth organized and participated in a Day of Service at Marion Manor, a nursing home in South Boston. Despite the bad weather we had five SPARK members (representing 3 high schools and 2 colleges) volunteer their afternoons playing a special game of MLK Day "High Stakes" Bingo. SPARK members transported the residents to and from the game, and sat at tables to help the residents fill their bingo cards.

Emmanuel College's SPARK Chapter volunteered at Marion Manor during their "Table of Giving" Service Day Project this past November. One SPARK member, Jasmine, was especially affected by the time she spent with the residents at Marion Manor. At a dinner organized by Emmanuel's SPARK chapter to reflect on the day of service, Jasmine spoke to us about the principles of service and ubuntu and how her experience had changed her perspective on both. At SPARK, we use ubuntu as our guiding vision. It is an African philosophy that speaks of human interconnectedness and interdependence. It says, "I am because you are". Our work is focused on youth leadership and activism, but Jasmine's words made us realize the importance of connecting to, and appreciating, the generations that have come before us.

Our experience at Marion Manor helped us better understand how valuable service is to everyone involved. The overwhelming impression left on our students after our Day of Service was that we had been the recipients of the service. Getting to know people that have seen the world and experienced so much, who had so many stories to tell and wisdom to impartwe are incredibly grateful to have been able to spend time with them. It reminded us of the importance of simply getting to know someone, and valuing the worth of every person.

As profound as this experience was, it was also just plain fun. The Bingo game got pretty competitive, which naturally made for some very funny moments. All of our students had a great time, and are looking forward to going backin fact, SPARK's Emmanuel College chapter is working on organizing monthly visits!


Josh Schupack
MACC AmeriCorps*VISTA at Springfield College in Springfield
On January 18th, 2010, the Springfield College Emerging Leaders Program began a 24 hour leadership and service development retreat to begin their new semester. The Emerging Leaders Program is a first year student, residential leadership program that has a membership of roughly 20 students. These students self selected to be part of this program in order to further their own knowledge about leadership and learn how they themselves can make a difference in the world. The mission of Springfield College is "educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity". These being the direction of the institution, the Emerging Leaders focus on leadership through the lens of how they can better serve the great community. The program is facilitated by MACC AmeriCorps*VISTA, Josh Schupack in partnership with the Office of Community Service and Spiritual Life Center.

At the retreat, the Emerging Leaders took part in workshops and activities that span over many fields of leadership thought. Topics such as leadership styles, group facilitation, diversity, reflection of positive and challenge action were covered thoroughly and interactively. The capstone of the retreat was the opportunity to begin the planning for a semester long service endeavor that the group will be responsible for executing. The students will be working with Square 1, an early education and childcare program, many of whose participants are below the federal poverty line. Square 1 operates 5 sites in Springfield, with more than 100 families at most sites. The students spoke with Cindy Recoulle, Assistant Vice President of Square 1, to get some insight into the program and learn about the kinds of families they will be working with. They will work with Square 1 to create a day of fun and learning for all five sites of the Square 1 program. This program will give the students and families of Square 1 the opportunity to come together on a Saturday afternoon in April and enjoy each other's company while having games and learning opportunities that will be coordinated by the Emerging Leaders. Members of the Square 1 community have so many hardship and challenges that an afternoon to come together as a family, free of charge, and share time together is a rarity. Working with Square 1, the day will be a joint effort to make sure the needs and joys of the community are met. This program not only will give these families a great experience but also allow the Emerging Leaders to experience the challenge and successes of community organizing and working in a group of their peers; two qualities that any "leader in service" should have. The students have begun moving forward on their plans and have done so with great enthusiasm and passion. Because of this fact, the retreat was an overwhelming success.