What does it mean to Volunteer or do Community Service? by KENYON

What does it mean to Volunteer or do Community Service? by KENYON - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

Let’s define community service. According to the internet’s dictionary, community service is unpaid work, intended to be of social use, that an offender is required to do instead of going to prison; and or voluntary work intended to help people in a particular area. “Engaging in community service provides people with the opportunity to become active members of their community and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large. Community service or volunteerism enables people to acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as provide a service to those who need it most.” I see community service as an opportunity to engage in my community.

My name is Kenyon Jamel Gooch. I am a senior at Carmen High School of Science and Technology Northwest Campus in Milwaukee, WI. Outside of school, I am a member of EMBODI, (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence). EMBODI is a program designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, with the support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African American males. I have been with EMBODI. since freshman year. My mom is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, she is the person who introduced me to the group. This group has taught me leadership skills that I can and will use further in life.

From past experiences with EMBODI, this past year has been more effective, because of our collaborations. Some of our biggest collaborations were The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee (BBG), guest speakers that were members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity INC, The Milwaukee Fire Department, and The Guest House of Milwaukee. The Guest House of Milwaukee provides shelter, housing, education, and services to Milwaukee's homeless who seek to transform their lives with dignity and purpose. This is where I did the majority of my community service or volunteering. At the Guest House, I helped by feeding and making care packages for each guest. During the covid months, volunteering in person was not an option anymore; however, I was still able to make an impact. I helped by packing covid care packages and had them delivered. Inside wasn’t much, but it helped. And that’s what matters to me.

I read somewhere that there are six benefits of community service. I decided to take those six and relate them to my own experience, and here is what I came up with. Community service:
It’s a gateway to a healthier, longer life
Volunteering makes me feel good about myself inside and outside.

It improves resumes
Volunteering simply makes me look good as a person when I add it to my resume.

It creates a network
Community service helped me boost my network in many ways. Being in EMBODI, I was able to connect with many people from different walks of the world.

It increases self-efficacy
Community service just gave me a sense of pride in myself.

It curbs biases and judgments
Community service helped me to learn to appreciate what I have and don’t have, what others have and don’t have. I look at the world from a different lens, not everyone has the same story, and that’s okay.

It lets you make a real difference
This is one of the most rewarding, volunteering simply lets you make a real difference.

I want to be successful in life. High school will be over soon, then the rest of my life starts. I don't want to be labeled as a statistic. I want to make my parents proud. I want to be able to give back to my community and help clean up the streets by doing a little community service and volunteering. I want to pour my knowledge into other young men that will come after me. I want to make a good mark in this world!