LFS Inspirational Story:

Making a Difference with Kids
Changing lives in Omaha's Leavenworth neighborhood
By Jacquelyn Serflaten, AmeriCorps Member & Director of TEAM SafePlayce for 2006-2007

Upon my first day of TEAM SafePlayce , an after school program for the Leavenworth neighborhood in Omaha, NE, I was energized and excited to begin making a difference in the children’s lives. At this point I had thought that it would be the program making the difference, little did I know that it would be the children that would be making a difference in my life.

Our small program allows the volunteers and staff lots of 1:1 time with each youth. As the semester progressed I noticed the children's enthusiasm and energy increasing. They were excited to come everyday to learn and be creative. Sometimes they would complain that they felt like it was school, but once the art activities started they began to show their talents and really came alive.

One day in particular struck my heart. One of the children needed surgery and would miss two weeks of the program. The staff and volunteers were visiting her in the hospital and thought she would love handmade "get well" cards from other children in the program. Each child put their heart and soul into the cards. One youth in particular asked several questions about the surgery and showed genuine concern for this girl’s health. His card read, “I really miss you in TEAM. You are one of my role models and you need to come back so that my day can be complete.” This 2nd grader's show of concern and honesty was outstanding and really affected me.

He also drew a picture of an angel, which he said would be her guardian angel as she was recovering. I started to tear up because not only did I feel the program was making a difference in their lives but that each of the participants were making differences in each other’s lives.