Community Service
I attended high school at St. Joseph’s Preparatory (the Prep). The school is located in North Philadelphia, a high-poverty neighborhood that can use any help it gets. The Prep, being a Jesuit religion school, puts a lot of stress on its students volunteering in and out of its surrounding neighborhood.
While attending the Prep, not only were we strongly encouraged to do community service, but it was a requirement to fulfill a certain amount of hours in each of our four years as students. Even though there was a requirement, it became enjoyable. The moment I did my first community service requirement, I helped deliver food to everyone in the surrounding blocks for thanksgiving. That was the moment I realized how doing so little can have such a huge effect on another’s life.
My junior year at the Prep doing community service had the most effect on my life, and it is when I believe I effected other’s the most. Six of my classmates and I, along with two teachers, went on a service trip to New Mexico. We spent a week with the Navajo Nation Indian tribe where we did things from delivering food, to building a house and building a new set of outdoor steps. I have never seen a more appreciative group of people. Things that I personally take for granted in my life, such as canned goods, made a mother cry because she had something to feed her kids in the coming weeks. This trip affected my life in a huge way. I believe community service allows for growth in a human being. My community service has opened my eyes and makes me realize the “little things” I deal with is nothing in comparison to some who struggle on a daily basis.
Also, I volunteer at Temple University’s ambler campus’ VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) program. I provide tax assistance for low income families, students, and the elderly within the Philadelphia area. I have gone through many hours of training in order to have been certified by the IRS. Currently, I volunteer every Saturday throughout tax season for five hours. This has been a great experience and has allowed me to help individuals within the community.