My AmeriCorps Experience

by Benjamin Schlechter

My story of service begins after college.  I had earned a B.A. degree in applied psychology with a concentration in gerontology from Carson-Newman College.  I had hit the job market searching and looking in the human service field, but no offers.  One day, I has stopped by Student Activities Center at Carson-Newman and I saw some fliers for AmeriCorps at the campus post office.  I found out this program had much to offer, besides working with another CNC alumnus.  I served as a Community Cares Member out of the Newport Housing Authority working with the disabled and elderly residents of the public housing community.  What I found out there was there was a great people of need there.  So, with the resources provided by a great site supervisor and program director, I was able to go around and provide a variety of services such as light housekeeping, shopping and other errands for the clients.  One resident stands out.

This man, who turned 100 in 2005 was given a birthday party at one of the buildings in Newport.  He was given a plaque signed by the mayor and presented by the Executive director of NHA.  Sadly, it was not long after this, he was placed in a nursing home and later died.  But the one memory of my service to this man, was that he was a hard worker all of his life despite the poverty he experienced and was an upstanding citizen in the community.  I will never forget my 2 years of experience at NHA and TCAC. 

It was with my experiences here, that I was able to go on to graduate school and to fulfill a goal of becoming a licensed mental health counselor. I truly am thankful for my time as an AmeriCorps member.