TurningPoint 2012—Sparking Service Nationwide

post written by Karen Berg, Chicago Health Corps Program Director

2012 Service Impact Awardees with the new CEO of the
Corporation for National and Community Service, Wendy Spencer (far right). 

My first experience with service was tutoring kindergartners at a Chicago Public School (CPS) elementary school when I was 13 years old.  Volunteering was part of my religious upbringing and that experience helped to shape my personal and professional commitment to improving social issues.  That was the first time I began to really understand disparities that exist in education, health and too many other facets of society.    Today I am encouraged and inspired by the organizations and individuals dedicated to service. 

Last week Chicago hosted the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, bringing together over 5,000 people who are passionate about national service and volunteering.  Over three days youth leaders, AmeriCorps members, program coordinators, volunteers and government leaders shared experiences and learned new ways to spark service and volunteerism across the country.  Notable speakers included First Lady Barbara Bush, Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, IL Governor Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Actor Kevin Bacon,

Lisa Joyner, PHC Program Director, heads up to the stage to accept the Service Impact Award.

Recognized at the conference was CHC’s sister program, the Philadelphia Health Corps (PHC), as a recipient of the Service Impact Award for Healthy Futures awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).  My colleague Lisa Joyner was on hand to receive the award for PHC’s Prescription Assistance Programs.  PHC members help patients of Philadelphia’s District Health Centers to navigate through the complicated system of prescription assistance programs.  Members make sure patients get their medications while alleviating the cost burden to the city.  Over the past six years, the program has helped more than 12,646 patients gain free access to medications, saving the City of Philadelphia over $8.5 million. 

Service programs like Chicago and Philadelphia Health Corps play a valuable role in delivering services in communities where access disparities are inexcusable.  CHC members are serving to reduce disparities related to asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV/STIs, and more.  CNCS’s grantee announcement was another time for CHC to celebrate at the conference.  The National Health Corps—comprised of Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, North Florida and Atlanta—was awarded one of the 276 grants for 2012-13.   These grants will support 46,000 AmeriCorps members—including 16 in Chicago—serving coast to coast.

 Did you know 70% of people who volunteer do so because someone asked them to serve?  Share your first experience with service in the comments.