Empowering The Next Generation: Making Change Through Service
2024年7月18日 - 4:05AM
By Rosie Drumgoole and Leslie Bluhm
In every decade, young people have demonstrated their ability to
lead, spearheading movements that resulted in significant shifts in
civil rights, women's rights, and economic justice. Today’s
generation is similarly dedicated, aspiring to careers that move
the needle on equity and that reimagine the workforce and societal
systems.
For those young people that want a pathway to leadership and a
career that uplifts their community, AmeriCorps is a great place to
start. We speak from personal experience when we say service shaped
our lives and our communities for the better.
Service is a journey that can move community goals from the
abstract and make them personal and real, leading to impact never
dreamed possible. That is why we are excited to be investing in
both national service and young individuals now, paving the way for
future leaders that will drive systemic change.
Rosie: Made in AmeriCorps
Reflecting on my journey from AmeriCorps member to CEO of
Chicago Cares, I am grateful for the transformative experiences
that shaped my career. My year of real-world experience and
skill-building with AmeriCorps was pivotal in propelling me into my
role as the first woman of color ever to lead Chicago Cares, the
largest volunteer service organization in our city.
After I completed my AmeriCorps term, I joined Chicago Cares in
an entry-level position managing our volunteer programs serving
seniors. Through dedication and hard work, and thanks to the
leadership and resilience I learned with AmeriCorps, I steadily
progressed from coordinator to manager, then to director. 14 years
later, I find myself as the CEO.
Now, I have a seat at leadership tables across the world,
including serving as a Commissioner on the Serve Illinois
Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service and participating
in the global Points of Light Affiliate Assembly. Through these
roles, I have the honor of coaching the next generation of leaders
across the country.
Looking back, I owe so much of my leadership journey to my
formative experiences as an AmeriCorps member. National service
provided me with the training and confidence to pursue a career in
the nonprofit sector. It ignited my passion for leadership and
facilitation, and it provided me with the opportunity to create and
execute community-driven programs.
I am incredibly proud to be one of the 1.3 million AmeriCorps
alums nationwide. What's more, I frequently encounter other
AmeriCorps alums, and it's clear that we all share a common thread
in our leadership journeys that can be traced back to the seeds of
our AmeriCorps experience. These experiences have shaped me as an
individual and allowed me to make a meaningful impact within my
community and beyond.
Leslie: Leaders Who Pave the Way
Early in my life, my service journey profoundly shaped me. These
experiences influenced my worldview, my beliefs, and my
self-understanding. The conviction that connecting diverse people
through service can be a force for a more caring and just society
led my friend Mary Prchal and me to found Chicago Cares in
1991.
I vividly remember hiring Rosie 14 years ago. She exuded so much
drive, passion, and promise. We've always been thrilled to welcome
AmeriCorps alums to our team because of their enthusiasm for
service, and Rosie embodied this spirit from day one. Over the
years, Rosie and alums like her have been instrumental in Chicago
Cares' evolution. We have worked, learned, and served together for
over a decade, and she has excelled in every role at our
organization.
I take great pride in the fact that the organizations I am
involved with – Chicago Cares and AmeriCorps – make service an
indispensable part of the American experience. I invite these next
generations to celebrate 30 years of AmeriCorps and stories like
Rosie's, which showcase how service can change lives, build
careers, and improve our communities.
Service for All
National service makes equity a reality by creating economic
opportunities and building job-ready skills through hands-on
experiences and apprenticeships. Just last month,
AmeriCorps announced new rules that will expand
access to workforce development opportunities, college degrees,
career-specific professional expertise, and industry-recognized
certifications. The skills learned during AmeriCorps, including the
ability to communicate, work across differences, and think
critically, transform individuals into the leaders our country
needs more than ever.
We are ready to let the next generation lead, to push forward
equitable, just communities, and to help reimagine the service
world. AmeriCorps is the steppingstone to do that – it's a catalyst
for change, creating leaders and strong voices for generations to
come.
Bios:
Rosie Drumgoole is the Chief Executive Officer
of Chicago Cares. Through her leadership, Chicago Cares has
cultivated thousands of volunteers to build a stronger, more
equitable Chicago. Learn more at www.ChicagoCares.org.
Leslie Bluhm was nominated to the AmeriCorps
Board of Directors by President Biden in September 2021 and
confirmed by the US Senate in July 2022. Bluhm is a lifelong social
entrepreneur who empowers people to tackle challenges through
collaborative action.
National Service Press Office
AmeriCorps
pressoffice@cns.gov