In September, Theresa Arnold and Tashina Diaz (right and left, respectively in the photo at right) completed their year of AmeriCorps service with Catholic Social Service. Throughout the past year, Theresa and Tashina have worked to reach out to those in Barton County and the surrounding area who needed food, shelter, utilities and other forms of assistance. They reflect on their year of service  below:

My experience as an AmeriCorps member has been very amazing and educational even though there were times that I felt like I haven’t done very much. But that all came to a stop when I pulled our faith and family applications for all the people we have assisted this year and was quite amazed on how many there were. Then, I also think about the non-food pantry we started and what a success it has became.

A big thing that I really liked about being an AmeriCorps member is how much I’ve learned about the things that our community offers to people. With this knowledge I plan on staying involved with the community. Plus, it feels pretty good knowing that the things I’ve done as an AmeriCorps member have helped families in a time of need---knowing and seeing their faces light up and seeing the weight on their shoulders get a little lighter due to our help. So, if you have the chance to become an AmeriCorps member I highly recommended you to do it. You’ll be very pleased about the things you do and learn. -- Theresa Arnold 2010-2011

My experience in the AmeriCorps program has been very successful, and a life-changing challenge. It is a golden opportunity to be involved in the program and to see the success of changing one family at a time, and seeing the joy and relief you bring to them and their family. The AmeriCorps program has changed my life because it made me more aware of a real issue that you hear about worldwide, but don’t hear about in this very county: poverty.  Like most of the world, I lived like it didn’t exist here. AmeriCorps changed that view and I’m very thankful for that. -- Tashina Diaz 2010-2011