Audrey McPherson's Reflection on her completion of the South Alabama AmeriCorps ERT's first year of service
A year ago at this time, I received a phone call asking me if I would like to travel the country assisting in disaster response. The more that was described to me, the more excited I became. I knew this was something I had to be a part of. Before I knew it, I was leaving Texas, and driving to Mobile, Alabama. Saying goodbye to my family and friends proved to be harder then I had imagined. It didn’t hit me until I was actually driving away, just how much I would miss them.
Along my drive to Alabama, I imagined what my teammates would be like, and tried to visualize what the year ahead of me held. I figured it would be hard, but I felt most positive the end result would make it all well worth it. As the first year of the South Alabama AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team began, so did many challenges. It took awhile for me to understand that this program was like a newborn baby, and had to be given time and patience.
Once the team began to be deployed, was when I started to understand the importance of ERT. Meeting people affected by disaster, and hearing from them how much we helped is a feeling I can’t put into words. I was blown away by how much the team could do. With the exception of our leaders none of us had done disaster relief before, but I must say that most would probably never have none that. From learning to chainsaw and fall trees, to debris clean up, to mucking out houses, to setting up Volunteer Reception Centers, and Long Term Recovery Committee’s, ERT did it and did it well. Sometimes I was asked to do things I felt I was not capable of doing, but I was fortunate enough to have a team I could turn to for help.
With some of our assignments and projects, were also disagreements. I realize now that it was only natural for us to argue, because we were a team of 10 strong minded individuals who all wanted to be the best we could be. No matter what issues we had, the SAAERT would come together to get our task or project done. At the end of the day I could always feel proud to be apart of this team.
The last 12 months proved to be more of a challenge then I had imagined, but I also see it as my greatest accomplishment thus far. While I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life, it is hard to leave the people who have surrounded me for the last year. In my time with AmeriCorps, I was given the chance to meet so many wonderful people, see my strengths and weaknesses, and find my path in life. I have memories and stories to tell for the rest of my life, experiences that many people will never know.
I would encourage anyone who has an opportunity, or curiosity to serve with AmeriCorps to do so. Earn money for college, while you meet great people, learn new things, and most importantly make a difference.
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