Arthor Curley, 08-09: Changing the World One Community at a Time

Serving in Newburgh, New York, became much more than “teaching in some poor school in New York,” as one person once said to me.

My year at San Miguel Academy became a beacon of hope not only for the children and families I served, but for the community as well.

At school, I would teach our middle school boys — grades 5 through 8 — not only the reading, writing, and arithmetic that was required, but I also taught them how to be gentlemen and to respect others. I wanted them to have pride in themselves and to be accountable to the things that they said and did. I was a mentor and a teacher who was young enough to identify with them, but expected more from them than anyone had before.

In the community, I became recognized as a teacher at San Miguel Academy who cared for his students. I took them on trips for learning, service, and recreation. I also helped to expand the reach of San Miguel’s mission by participating in community events and establishing relationships with supporters and onlookers.

Our contributions as volunteers surpass even what we thought we would accomplish in our time of service. In many cases we provided a service that would not have been available to these children or to these communities. We gave hope, love, and support to the children that looked up to us. An added and just as valued contribution was the affect the work had on us. As much as we may have given, we received so much more out of the experience.

Everyday I spent with my 7th grader Tyler, teaching him mathematics, was also an opportunity to be someone he could talk to, trust and who could teach me about his life and the amount of wisdom a young boy could possess. Creating and establishing an after-school program helped our boys discover their talents, skills, and creativity, while helping me to discover my own talents, skills, and creativity along the way. Both are just a little example of the life changing impact of service on both the people being served and the volunteers serving.

Each day is an opportunity to touch a life and have your own life touched. This has been an amazing experience for me and my hope is that it continues to be an amazing experience for others who take the step to be a part of something great!