Most days I wake up and go to service not really making a conscious decision to help anyone. Recently, I've started to think about all I have done this year, and those people that I helped without even knowing.
One of my main service responsibilities was oral hygiene education and connecting students to dental services. I would never have thought that teaching children how to brush their teeth could be so meaningful until it laid itself out before me. I taught these kindergarteners how to brush their teeth, provided them with toothbrushes and toothpaste, and empowered them with knowledge about their teeth. Those 50+ children that I taught then go home to show off their toothbrush to their parents, informing them about brushing their teeth correctly. This means that not only the kid gets help with their teeth, but also the parents can be motivated to take care of their teeth also. It becomes a cycle of knowledge that can greatly change the way people take care of themselves.
Knowing that I have played a role in this positive cycle, honestly, made me feel really good about myself. While I have made an impact in other people's lives, they definitely taught me where I belong in this big world. My goal in life is to serve others. I've seen where the need is in this community and how important health care services are to everyone.
I can say that being part of Chicago Health Corps/National Health Corps has definitely helped me make that next big decision in my life. I will be returning to school in the fall to pursue my Masters in Social Work from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. I knew I wanted to go back to school, but what I didn't know Master's degree I wanted to pursue. It was during this year of service where I learned what it is I truly love to do. Helping others has always been a big part of my life, and now I am excited to be turning service into a career.
