The Enchanting Challenge Blog

In this blog, I like to include a write-up from a volunteer or a service learner at least once a week. I think that hearing first-hand accounts of different service from different people gives the act of volunteering a face and a place in our hearts. Because service means something different to everyone, it is important to hear the primary accounts of those whose lives have been characterized by service, and to realize that is always close to our hearts, and it is always attainable. This week’s service story is by Allyson Cohn, a young woman who is majoring in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a major ultimately chosen due to her long-term involvement with the Salvation Army. Allyson began volunteering with the Salvation Army’s after-school programs for children when she was in high school. Her hard work as a volunteer eventually led her to accept a position as the Children’s Center Assistant, a position she has been hard at work for since May of 2007 (while of course being a full-time student). Her story traces the history of her involvement with the Salvation Army and how the simple decision to volunteer as an after-school helper single-handedly changed her life. I am excited for you to read her story and be as touched by it as I was.

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My name is Allyson Cohn and I have been involved with the Salvation Army since my junior year in high school.  The Salvation Army Emergency Lodge is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is a temporary shelter which offers a wide variety of social services to those who have lost their job, have no where else to go and who are willing to be pro-active in resolving their homelessness (click here if you are interested in finding more information about the program). There are 12 family rooms at the shelter, and I work with all of the resident families directly. Imagine living in a dorm-sized room with all the members of your family with only four single beds, one bathroom, and no privacy. Imagine never being able to have friends over after school and having a shelter bus pick you up from school with the giant red Salvation Army logo plastered on the side.

The reason that I began to give back to my community is because I didn’t have any after school activities, so I began to tutor children ages 5 to 17 in their after school program from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm twice a week. I was 16 at the time, and my suburban and sheltered bubble was abruptly popped when I entered the Salvation Army. There are all kinds of people there struggling to get back on their feet. I learned that people were there due to many different circumstances that occurred during their lives.

During my senior year, I was in the community internship program offered at my high school where I received credit to go volunteer 20 hours a week. I left school during 6th period, and went to the Salvation Army. I realized that I couldn’t get away from the Salvation Army! I was infatuated with the self rewarding job of making connections with people and gaining their trust. Most importantly, I loved bringing happiness to the children who were in such an unfathomable environment, sometimes due to their parent’s choices and actions. These kids did not choose to be at a homeless shelter, and in most cases, adolescents are forced to mature at an earlier age.

After two years of being a regular volunteer, I was offered a position to be the Children’s Center Assistant during the summer of 2008 when the director left on maternity leave. This position was full time and was a complete 180 of what I was used to doing in comparison to previous summers! It was time for me to grow up, enter the real world, and I soon became “Ms. Ally” to the children, parents and my colleagues.   Since it was summer vacation for the kids, we planned a wide range of fun activities for the children to partake in. We went to Noah’s Ark, Stone Fire Pizza Arcade, Milwaukee Brewers baseball games, and numerous activities at the local Boys and Girls club.

Being that the Boys and Girls Club is so close to the Salvation Army, my boss and I had the opportunity to work in conjunction with their programs.  For instance, we served on the programming committee for their annual summer T.A.L.K campaign, (Take Action Listen and Know) which promotes a safe and healthy community in association with the Milwaukee Police Department and with sponsoring companies in the neighborhood.  Another community activity that I was active in was “Feed the Kids.”  The Feed the Kids program provides free lunches for the youth during the summer months to ensure that all children have access to a nutritious lunch even when school is not in session.  My duties included riding on routes to  stop at local parks to pass out bag lunches to the children.  (This proved to be a very moving experience–some of the kids were so hungry, they would scarf their lunch so fast and get back in line for another one.)

Now, I am currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and I just recently declared my major as social work.  My job at the Salvation Army has given me the experience and opportunity that most people don’t get until they graduate college. Through the strong relationships and hands-on experiences with the kids, I have learned a lot about myself and the harsh reality that these children must face on a daily basis.

I am committed to making these children feel not ashamed that they are residing at a shelter! I am committed to helping them if they are falling behind in their school work, and most importantly, I am always there to be their friend.  Each and every family that I come across has a unique story and we have both provided each other with memories that will last. In the future, I hope to one day take over the Children’s Department and become the Director or work more closely with teenagers. Although my job is one that I can’t just leave at the door when I come home from work, I constantly remind myself that I actually made a difference today. Just one smile, that’s all the makes it worth it in the end.

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Website of the day: National Association of Social Workers