Hero Story

Second-year AmeriCorps member, Kelsi Smith, serves with the goal of making a special impact in the community.

“It’s very rewarding to feel like you are actually making a difference and like you are a part of something that is bigger than yourself and improving the overall community,” Kelsi said.

Kelsi acts on this belief through her service at Edgewood Village, where she coordinates volunteers, facilitates gardening workshops, and does weekly food distributions.

Kelsi explained how meaningful it is for her to serve, which is why she chose to join AmeriCorps and stay for a second term.

“I wanted to do something with my life where it was purely because it gave me a good purpose. It feels like I’m building a community and doing more than I ever possibly could at an entry level job,” she said.

The social aspect of her service is what makes it all worth it for Kelsi. Her favorite part of her service project is “interacting with the residents and making sure they know about all the resources that we can provide them with,” she said.

When Kelsi completes her service, she hopes to continue to use her skills in gardening in partnership with universities to educate those around her.