The end of Young Heroes, short yet sweet

All good things must come to an end! Well, that's what people think, but it's not always so easy.

I'm talking about the program that I work through in the AmeriCorps model organization, City Year. City Year is about working to improve education in metropolitan areas; I work in San Jose, California. Most City Year corps members work in schools and tutor students during the weekdays. The program I am a part of is the middle school program, Young Heroes, in which middle school students from all parts of the huge city (the 10th-largest in the U.S.!) and do service at last three Saturdays a month, with two overnight retreats and occasional make-up events. The students learn about various relevant social issues, including hunger and homelessness, racism and ageism, and environmental issues.

But most of all, these kids are amazing. They dedicate so much time - they graduate after completing 100 hours of service in six months - and are so good in heart and attitude. They have made friends with each other, and I adore them all and would do anything for them. I already teach a class at one of the schools for free twice a week.

If you can imagine how powerful a year in a Heroes program can be, imagine what it's like for those who have been in Heroes since they were in middle school and are now City Heroes in high school. Some have claimed that Heroes has kept them off of the streets, out of gangs, and into the top of their class.

When we told the students that there will no longer be Heroes because City Year wants to move more into schools and less during the weekends, there was havoc mainly on the part of the City Heroes. While the Young Heroes were sad after one year, the City Heroes were in tears or enraged. The program they have depended on for years was suddenly going away before their eyes.

Some say that part of the reason why there will be more working in schools is because the schools pay for corps members - $100,000, to be exact - while Heroes pay nothing to be in the program. While my friends and I have vowed to help run service days next year, it will be hard with no real financial source of aid. We're not quite sure what to do, and it's hard not to sink into debilitating cynicism.

What this event has done is shown me that I have no desire to serve at the head of such an organization. I understand that money is important, but I would have to make the decision to cut a program. I would much rather just be a powerful part of it.

For those who don't work for a non-profit, always remember how important the support of a community can mean for such a group.