When a person serves, their focus is on the recipient. However, an altruistic lifestyle benefits the giver, too. According to the online news source Mental Floss, teenage volunteers have better grades and a higher self-image. The site notes that volunteers are believed to live longer, manage stress better, experience less depression, and have greater life satisfaction. Service also has a ripple effect, influencing peers to get involved.
Today, JA introduced many service opportunities to Upper School students through a Community Service Fair in the Performing Arts Center lobby. Community Service Partners set up booths to present partnership opportunities. The fair helps students see how they can get involved. JA does not require but instead encourages student participation in community service. The school wants the service to come from the heart — not be mandated.
“Bright Minds and Good Hearts! I am continually blown away by our students and their willingness/passion to serve our community,” said Upper School Counselor Andrea Ferguson. “I often have students swing by my office and send me emails asking for ways to get involved. Our students have such GOOD HEARTS!”
A giving lifestyle, with its inherent sense of purpose, aligns beautifully with Jackson Academy’s mission statement, showing us all how important and integral we are to our community. Ferguson emphasizes that as a school, Jackson Academy hopes students develop a heart for lifelong service by leading and participating in community service projects and activities while they are a student.
“If you are looking for ways to get involved in your community, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’d love to help get you connected,” she said.
Community Service Partners
West Jackson Rotary
We Will Go
UMMC
T1D (Formerly Juvenile Research Foundation)
Sunnybrook Children’s Home
Stewpot
Shower Power
Ready Nation
Mustard Seed
MS Museum of Natural Science
MS Food Network
MS Children’s Museum
Little Light House
Keep Jackson Beautiful
Joni & Friends
Habitat for Humanity
Good Samaritan Center
Gateway Mission
First Ridgeland
Diabetes Foundation of MS
City Church
Catholic Charities
Canopy
American Red Cross
Alzheimer’s Association
Ronald McDonald House*
* Ronald McDonald House is unable to attend, but they’ve sent material about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Mamie Barton
Why is it important to you to volunteer in your community?
“Volunteering within my community is so important to me as it’s a way to minister and better the community in any way that I can. Helping others also makes me so grateful for how blessed I am. Volunteering is a great way to get out of your personal bubble and meet people you may never have the opportunity to meet.”
What community service do you currently do?
“I am currently working on achieving my Gold Girl Scout Award and Presidential Award. Through this I am volunteering with Canopy Children Solutions. Everyone on their staff is so appreciative of any and all help they receive. I have been able to donate children’s bedding and toys for the children that live at Canopy through drives I’ve done through the school and in town. My favorite and most rewarding work I’ve done is the time I get to spend with the children several days a week. Brightening their day brightens mine! At the beginning of school I went with the seniors to We Will Go and really enjoyed helping their organization. Lastly, I will be starting in October at UMMC to volunteer with the children. I am always looking for ways to make a difference in my community!”
Volunteer Spotlight:
Shelby Grant
Why is it important to you to volunteer in your community?
The reason I believe it is so crucial to commit time and effort to community service is because you never know what your community is going through or trying to persevere through outside of your own bubble. Therefore, getting involved gets you work exposure with adults or children, gives you opportunities to help out with whatever your community needs, and also serves as a purposeful way to spend your time.
What community service do you currently do?
I am currently involved in volunteer service as I work at the UMMC Adult ER as a Certified Volunteer, tutor underprivileged children at MadCAAP in Canton, MS, serve as a camp counselor in the summer for Mississippi Children’s Museum, and work/organize various events to volunteer for within the clubs I am in.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Sara Brown
Why is it important to you to volunteer in your community?
I like to volunteer at my church, First Baptist Jackson, by helping in the nursery. I like to spend time with little kids because I have cousins who are in preschool and elementary. I have a couple preschool kids who are my favorite because they are funny and feisty like I was at that age.
What community service do you currently do?
I also like playing in the orchestra at my church when I can because I like to play trumpet. I get to play with people my age, and also people older than me. It’s fun to be part of the worship service on Sundays while doing something I enjoy.
I have ridden horses at Winterview Farm since I was 7-years-old and I like to volunteer to help new riders learn to care for horses. I had older girls who helped me learn a lot about caring for my horse when I started riding and I want to help others, too. I try to help with summer camps and new riders on the weekends at the barn where I ride.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Crystal Gao
Why is it important to you to volunteer in your community?
I believe it’s important to contribute to my community and help shape it into a better place. I’m always eager to lend a helping hand whenever I can. Besides being able to help out those around me, I also just like to meet new people and hear their stories. There are so many unexpected things you can learn from others once you start talking to them. Volunteering allows me to connect to those in my community and makes me a more empathic person.
What community service do you currently do?
I’m currently a student ambassador for Canopy Children’s Solutions to advocate for mental health. I’ve started to volunteer at the Canopy Little Kid’s Cottage, where I read books to children and help them read too. At school, I’m part of several service clubs at JA such as the Spanish Club and Biology Service Club. I’m also a member of the Nightingale Advocacy, a nonprofit that pushes for medical policies. This year, I started my own club called Beacon to help raise mental health awareness in both JA and our community. We will progress towards our goal through volunteer work and fun activities. I’m looking forward to a new year of projects to help my community!
