| “These kids have been great. They came in with a desire to help. They’ve touched people’s lives.”
Program Director, Community Chest, Virginia City, NV
One of the most interesting aspects of AJSS is that there is no “typical” day. Every day looks a little different depending on the interests of the participants, the needs of the community, the weather and the work that is available. However, most days do fit into a general pattern.
We wake up in the morning to eat a quick breakfast and pack our vans for the day ahead. The time to wake up depends on where the group is volunteering and what time that organization wants us to arrive to begin. Each day the options for volunteering may differ. Some days the entire group could be at one location, while on other days the group may be split up into smaller sections to volunteer with multiple organizations at the same time. Some projects may last an afternoon, others may last a week. We usually take a snack break in the morning to recharge.
The group will pause for lunch and take time to discuss some of the issues that our volunteers have seen, heard about and experienced throughout their time. After lunch the group gets back to work, filling out a full day of volunteering.
After the work day is over, the participants will have an opportunity to relax as they head to the shower facilities to clean up after a hard day. We’ll have some downtime before dinner and our evening program. Dinner is planned by one of the committees, who help to prepare the meal alongside a local cook. We eat family style and often invite guests that we meet throughout the summer to join us. After dinner we will continue with one of many options: a local speaker or advocacy organization may come talk to the group about a local issue or need; a trip to a historical site such as a museum, battle site, or landmark; checking out the local sports teams, concerts, or additional local cultural hotspot; or an event planned by the participants.
After this jam-packed day we prepare our lunches for the next day, have a wind-down activity and head to bed so we are ready to start all over again!
I just wanted to say that our daughter came home in tears, wanting in the worst way to go back to AJSS. She had what I think was the best summer of her life in AJSS. The bonding she experienced was beyond words. She’s asking (begging) us to take her places where she can help others. Thank you for giving her the opportunity to see how others live, for giving her the time of her life, and for showing her there’s more to life than Facebook. :).
Little Rock, AR, Parent, 2010
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