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Ray Van Allen serves as an AmeriCorps member on the North Shore Elementary School team.

I chose to serve with ��ɫ��Ƶ because I wanted to spend my time after college and before graduate school giving back to others. The ��ɫ��Ƶ mission spoke to me, and I feel a huge sense of fulfillment knowing that I am able to bring my time and skills to students who need my help. I know the difference that education can make in a life, and I hope that my contribution is able to make a difference in the lives of my students. I was inspired by peers who served with ��ɫ��Ƶ and hearing their stories about the difference ��ɫ��Ƶ makes, both in the lives of students and the lives of corps members, and I knew that it was something I needed to do.

��ɫ��Ƶ’s impact on individuals encouraged me to become an AmeriCorps member as I used my gap year to figure out what my next steps were. Through serving with ��ɫ��Ƶ, I hope to gain a clearer sense of myself and what my post-graduate priorities are. I also hope to grow as a professional and improve on my own weaknesses as well as build upon my strengths. Eventually I will attend graduate school and with the assistance of my time at ��ɫ��Ƶ I will be able to passionately move forward in a field that inspires me.

Due to the recent adjustments because of COVID-19, I have brought my service year home. Of all the things I had prepared myself for in my post-college life, this certainly wasn’t one of them. Despite all of its unknowns, this experience has brought a deeper meaning to one of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s core values that I closely connect with. Service to a cause greater than self has been my biggest challenge as well as greatest motivator, more so now than ever. In the classroom, I was constantly trying to make daily differences that would change long-term outcomes for my students. Now, I have realized that my time with City Year is precious, and while I am not currently in the classroom, I am focusing on the parts of my service that will continue on after my current ��ɫ��Ƶ. How will my service continue when I am no longer a corps member? Though I hope to come back for a second year next year, I am starting to plan for the time that comes after that.

My mindset has shifted from “here and now” to my own long-term goals. Graduate school is in my future, and I am learning how I can transfer the skills I have gained back into the world of higher education thanks to remote professional development opportunities provided by the ��ɫ��Ƶ Jacksonville site as well as ��ɫ��Ƶ Headquarters. Though these changes were unexpected, I am finding the brighter side in my current situation. While serving in school, I felt as if my reflections were deeply centered on looking outside of myself. Now, I have to think of my joys, ripples, and appreciations in new ways with more self-reflection than ever before. Every day is an exercise in gratefulness, and I am constantly learning to open my mindset and realize the bigger picture of what my service means to me.