A Letter from a Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston Alum
to support AmeriCorps members’ service in virtual classrooms.
Isabel Barros is the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston Alumni Board Chair and she served at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School for two years. She works as an adjustment counselor at Somerville Public Schools.Ìý
Dear Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston Community,Ìý
During my time as a Â鶹ÊÓƵ AmeriCorps member, the brightest spots in my dayÌýcame from the people around me.ÌýFromÌýgreeting students with smiles as they arrived at schoolÌýtoÌýconnecting with my teammates after another powerful day of service, there was alwaysÌýjoyÌýto be found.ÌýWe learned so much about empathy and caring for others that year.ÌýEight years later and I still get so much joy from connecting with my teammates.Ìý(ShoutÌýout to the Burke!)Ìý
Â鶹ÊÓƵ was built around the power of people supporting others. Though these are unprecedented times, Â鶹ÊÓƵ’sÌýabilityÌýto bring people together for good has not wavered. While so much is uncertain, and – let’s face it – scary, I am filled with hope when I see how our community has come together.Ìý
From making sure families and children have enough to eat, to checking in on ourÌýolderÌýneighbors, to staying home and doing our part to protect the health and wellbeing ofÌýpeople more at riskÌý– the care we have for one another will see us through this time. And we all have a role to play in serving others.Ìý
When schools closed, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston quickly shifted their service. AmeriCorps members are currently providing academic support in virtual classroomsÌý–Ìýanswering questions,Ìýassisting teachers in planning lessons,Ìýand reviewing assignments. They’re calling families’ homes to check in with students and build connectedness. Students love hearing from them!Ìý
To our Â鶹ÊÓƵ AmeriCorps members – we know this isn’t the service you imagined, but I can’t stress enough how yourÌýworkÌýis more important now than ever. Thank you for your flexibility and dedication to leadingÌýwith empathy, kindness, and open hearts.Ìý
To our supporters – I invite you to join Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston in celebrating their incredible young leaders, who are helping to ensure that students continue to receiveÌýcriticalÌýacademic services, coaching, and mentoring in these difficult circumstances.ÌýAs part of the , you’ll hear stories from AmeriCorps members, alumni, teachers, and principalsÌýabout the impactÌýour serviceÌýhasÌýon students. We are proud of the impact we have in the classroom, and even more proud of the opportunity to support our students when we can’t be in school.Ìý
As someone who works in public schools, IÌýknow the difference aÌýÂ鶹ÊÓƵ AmeriCorps memberÌýcan make inÌýsupportingÌýhome learning,Ìýand justÌýbyÌýbeingÌýanother caring adult for students to lean onÌýduring this tough and confusingÌýtime. Whether in school or in virtual classrooms, corps members bring joy into learning spaces. They’re a bright spot for studentsÌý– justÌýasÌýÂ鶹ÊÓƵ, and the people who are part ofÌýthis community, isÌýa bright spot for me.Ìý
Yours in Service,Ìý
Isabel BarrosÌý
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston Alum (2011-2012); Â鶹ÊÓƵ Boston Alumni Board Chair;ÌýÂ鶹ÊÓƵ Boston Board MemberÌý
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