My Growth Has Been Shaped By Pass It Along - Krista Shugart, Sparta High School Sophomore |
It has been three years since I have been an active teen volunteer of Pass It Along. It is hard to put into words how much this experience has shaped my growth. I can still remember my first event, it was having a barbecue and swimming with inner city kids at Lake Hopatcong with a group called “Tilly’s Kids.” It was such a great experience to be surrounded by such happy people. more... |
Imagine - Sarah Munley, AmeriCorps |
Imagine spending a winter night on the streets. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to nothing but a desolate room. Imagine being seven and hungry each night your helpless frail body goes to bed. But now imagine this:Throngs, hordes, and masses of people stepping forth with overwhelming enthusiasm to teach young children how to read, to deliver meals to seniors constricted to their homes on Thanksgiving, and this multitude of loving and caring individuals being the teens right here in Sussex County. In just the past seven years, the neighbors, friends, and family here in Sussex have dedicated over 75,500 hours to the remarkable and tender non-profit organization titled Pass It Along. more... |
My Outlook on Service - Tasha Miley, American University |
Typically people volunteer because they want to make a difference in the lives of others. There is nothing wrong with this mentality; in fact, that was the mindset I had when I started to volunteer. However, since volunteering with Pass It Along my outlook on service has transformed into something much more meaningful. I have realized the impact volunteering has made on my own life. more... |
Pass It Along's Affect on Me - Luke Huelsenbeck, AmeriCorps |
I have helped build a playground. I have slept in a box to help raise homelessness awareness. I have mentored youth from both the inner city and our own county. I have seen the crippling misfortunes of others down on their luck. And I have seen the unyielding power that exists among a group of volunteers. Pass It Along has been the gateway to my love of volunteerism, whether it is cooking for a soup kitchen or raking an elderly woman's lawn, I feel I am able to connect with my community, other people, and myself. more... |
My AmeriCorps Experience with Pass It Along - Liza Cotter, AmeriCorps |
“Yeah I’ll help; it looks good for college.” That is the most common statement I hear around school concerning community service. So many people fail to see that by giving back, you are giving the best possible gift to, no, not the people you are serving, but to yourself. To be involved and to know that you made a difference in someone’s life is the true reward, not being accepted into some college. Happiness and being truly content with one’s inner self are what matter in life, not success and material things. Pass It Along can give you the things that truly matter, and much, much more. The benefits of being involved in such an amazing program are infinite and I really encourage those who have not reaped the reward of giving back to get involved, in any way, at any time. It’s never too late to start. more...
|
My Thoughts on Service by Christine McDermott, 2nd year AmeriCorps member |
Can you imagine a whole generation coming out in throngs to solve the epidemics of the world? No more homeless, no one going to bed hungry, no more loneliness. I can imagine this and more because of my service with Pass It Along. Through this organization I have seen dozens of youth gathering together for one cause. Whether it be sleeping in a box to increase awareness of local homelessness, going down to Newark to feed hundreds of hungry men women and children, or even just spending some time with an elderly resident at an assisted living facility. Every act of kindness brings us one step closer to solving the world’s problems. more... |
A Recent Conversation with Trevor Morrow, Emerson College |
PIA: Do you think during your time volunteering with Pass It Along that we, as an organization, helped you to recognize the gifts you have to offer to society?
Trevor: Yes, I believe that Pass it Along helped me realize what I could offer society. Everyone has something they can give, and the ability to serve in some capacity; Pass it Along provides the platform, resources and encouragement to do so. Through Pass it Along and working with Tilly's Kids, I realized that I enjoy working with and teaching children. Pass it Along and the Youth Council provides youth with the opportunity to lead and take their community into their own hands. My involvement in the Youth Council gave me increased confidence and has allowed me the chance to lead along with my peers.
Pass It Along: Do you think that Pass It Along programs change lives?
Trevor: Pass It Along changes the lives of not just those receiving PIA's assistance, but also the lives of the volunteers. The programs provide hope to those in need. More... |
My Special Olympics Experience - Casey Cresbaugh, Sparta high School Senior |
Every Tuesday from late October to the beginning of December I was fortunate enough to spend an hour and half of my time training kids participating in the Special Olympics. Our job was to teach them about basketball, mainly shooting and dribbling skills. I play basketball so it was fun to be able to teach these kids something I personally love to do.
The first day I remember being very nervous because I had no idea what to expect. I knew a few of the kids from school but there were many new faces. When we began drills, some of the kids were really good! One boy in particular caught my eye as we tried to help him use all the power in his body to simply reach the net. Unfortunately, the first day he didn't make any. I could see he was disappointed and that really made me upset. This was supposed to be a fun activity and he didn't look happy. So the next week I was extremely excited to get the opportunity to work with all the kids again. We were all getting to know each other better and this helped when it came to encouraging them because now I was no longer just a helper but their friend. But during the shooting drills again the same boy once again didn't make a basket. However, he was incredibly close. More... |
.gif)
