Ivy Leaguer shows the way to service as part of AmeriCorps VISTA
-
Katie Cowling, University of Pennsylvania student from Dallas, will serve with AmeriCorps after graduation.
Share with others:
Katie Cowling has an Ivy League education, has studied abroad and next month will graduate with a bachelor's degree in anthropology with minors in Hispanic studies and consumer psychology.
Still, the University of Pennsylvania senior wants more -- more enrichment, not more riches. She wants to help others, to aid a country in crisis, to stand up and do something.
That's why the 22-year-old Dallas native will be moving to Pittsburgh as part of AmeriCorps VISTA to serve for a year as the food project coordinator for the North Hills Community Outreach headquartered in Hampton.
The 21-year-old interfaith nonprofit agency that serves the poor and those in crisis in northern Allegheny County already has two VISTA volunteers and a paid staff of 21. But it will be able to add Ms. Cowling and four other VISTA volunteers because of a $5.7 billion bill that President Barack Obama signed into law yesterday while calling upon the sense of service of those like Ms. Cowling.
"We need your service, right now, in this moment in history. ... I'm asking you to stand up and play your part," Mr. Obama said in signing the bill at the SEED School of Washington, a public boarding school that serves inner-city students facing problems in both the classroom and at home.
"All that's required on your part is a willingness to make a difference. That's the beauty of it; everybody can do it."
Joining Mr. Obama was Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer. Mr. Kennedy championed the legislation with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and the bill was named in honor of the Massachusetts Democrat -- the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
Mr. Kennedy told the audience that included former President Bill Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former first lady Rosalyn Carter that Mr. Obama's efforts echoed that of his late brother, former President John F. Kennedy.
"Today, another young president has challenged another generation to give back to their nation," Mr. Kennedy said, citing his brother's advocacy of the Peace Corps.
The bill triples the size of the AmeriCorps service programs over the next eight years, and expands ways for students and seniors to earn money for college through their volunteer work. It aims to foster and fulfill people's desire to make a difference, such as by mentoring children, cleaning up parks or building and weatherizing homes for the poor.
The legislation provides for gradually increasing the size of Clinton-era AmeriCorps to 250,000 enrollees from its current 75,000. It outlines five broad categories where people can direct their service: helping the poor, improving education, encouraging energy efficiency, strengthening access to health care and assisting veterans.
As a VISTA volunteer, Ms. Cowling will receive a stipend of about $900 a month and partial health care coverage, and she may qualify for an education grant of $4,725 or a $1,200 cash award at the end of her year of service.
Bolstering voluntary public service programs has been a priority of Mr. Obama, who credits his work as a community organizer in his early 20s for giving him direction in life.
And that's what Ms. Cowling is seeking.
"I've gone to private schools my entire life and I think this will be an eye-opening and maturing experience for me," said Ms. Cowling, whose new job will be developing adequate food donations to meet the needs of the low-income families the outreach serves.
"Some of my friends are going into finance and they'll be making a lot of money. But I think I've lived a great life so far and I want to give back, to grow and mature and find out who I am over the next year and see where it takes me professionally and personally."
Fay Morgan, North Hills Community Outreach executive director, said that is the kind of attitude that will serve America well during its time of need.
"We really value the idea of people serving out of the goodness of their heart," she said. "That's just a value we hold. Our vision is that we live in a community where everybody shares, no one is cold, hungry or forgotten.
"It's contagious, it's fulfilling and we think the volunteers will get a lot out of donating their time and that donors will get a lot out of contributing."
And it's needed. Over the last year, the organization has distributed more than $1 million in aid -- food, clothing, rental and utility assistance, car repairs and scholarships, Ms. Morgan said.
And the need is increasing. Since July 1, the agency has helped 1,013 new families because of the economic downturn.
"We have to do something. They need food, transportation to work, help with utility bills, help finding a job. These VISTA [volunteers] will, through their service, hopefully get the job done."
U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, agreed: "By increasing the number of AmeriCorps volunteers, we are increasing the manpower Western Pennsylvania nonprofits have at their disposal to meet local families' needs."
AmeriCorps has seen a recent surge in applications, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the program.
In March, the organization received 17,038 online AmeriCorps applications, nearly double those received in the previous month and nearly triple the 6,770 received last March.
Mr. Altmire noted that the American people's "dedication to volunteering and giving back to their communities has always helped to sustain and strengthen our nation during a time of crisis."
And that, Ms. Cowling said, is why she's moving to Pittsburgh for a year.
"We are in such a crisis with the bottom falling out of the economy," she said. "It's our generation's turn to step up and do something."
First Published April 22, 2009 12:00 am
