Alumni:
Tameka Hill-
When I first came to Americorps I was painfully
shy. Americorps broke me out of my shyness. In Americorps I learned how to
defend myself against people that don’t believe in my dreams. I made a lot
of friends here. My team leader is important to me because he took time with me
to help me understand everything. I will miss going into the office everyday.
Also my opinion about Americorps is that it shouldn’t go away.
Enrique Colon-
To me, Americorps was a great experience. It
kind of gave me the sense of working, the experience of a working environment.
The two years went by so fast. I enjoyed being in Americorps – it was a
wonderful experience to have. I found that I contributed a lot to the community
with my presentations about educating the community about disabilities.
I think there is still more to be done to teach people that people with disabilities have dreams just like any able bodied person. I feel that, although sometimes we feel that we have anxieties about doing something , that you should just take a chance and try it. At first I had doubts about Americorps but I took a chance and went for it and it’s a great thing! It was really a great experience for me. I’ll miss it and I’ll miss my team. The team was great and we worked together as one unit.
Steve Skorupski-
What Americorps meant to me was making new
friends but also having responsibilities. It was great to go on presentations,
educate people and see how they react. Losing Americorps for next year is like
having this great thing taken away because of money. I would like to do my next
year. A lot of the presentations were fun. I was surprised at how people
participated and asked questions. We were bringing people important new
information.
Zefa Dedic-
What Americorps meant to me has three parts. The
first was teaching the public about disabilities and teaching people to treat
us better. In my country (Yugoslavia) people with disabilities were locked up
in nursing homes, they didn’t know what to do with us. The second part was
having fun with my friends and colleagues and learning more about disabilities.
The third part was informing the public about ourselves and our lives. I think
it’s a shame that Americorps is not being funded because there is more to
learn and more to teach people. I’m sorry I didn’t get to do more
translating.
Tim Elliot-
The Americorps program helped to get the word out
about people with disabilities and that we, just like people without
disabilities, can accomplish the same things in life as everybody else (whether
our disability is physical or mental). We still have a long way to go in
educating the public and also in educating other people with disabilities.
Eric Pernick-
Americorps has been a good experience.
I’ve been involved with a good team – that is what made it easier. I
enjoyed going around from agency to agency talking about disability issues.
I’m sad to say that Americorps will be missed and hopefully we’ll get
it back. I think it is important to get the word out about people’s
experiences. The education that Americorps gave to Self Advocates will be
sorely missed. I think this is one of the greatest programs, if not the
greatest program. Can I cry now or later? I think what is important is that
when you’re on Americorps you’ve got to be able to go one step
beyond. Therefore I was proud to be a part of National Service. In many ways it
was like a breeze because it was so enjoyable but in many ways it was hard
work. You’ve got to have a passion for it. I wish more people had the same
passion that I do. When you have that kind of passion you pass it on –
that is what we did in Americorps. You start like a chain and pass it on. PASS
ON THE PASSION!
Dora Becker-
There was a lot that I loved about Americorps.
Most important was when I went to the school of Occupational therapy at
Downstate Hospital. It was VERY IMPORTANT to say what I had to say. There were
so many students who came over and asked me if I was a professional
Occupational Therapist because I knew so much. I had a very good experience. I
felt like a professional, not like a consumer. I learned a lot about myself
talking to other people.
Volunteers
Chris Taylor-
What SA/Americorps has taught me is -
don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. If you don’t you’re
out there all alone by yourself. Now people ask me questions and I’m not
afraid to answer them. Now I’m strong, people can’t get over on me.
People think twice about messing with me. If they mess with me they get in
trouble …they know better now. I know what they know. Don’t play
games with me. SA/Americorps has taught me how to speak up for myself and how
to be a better person. You have more power than you think.