U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
        Here’s how you know
    Goverment symbol**Official websites use .gov**
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Lock symbol**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            A lock (
              A locked padlock
                 ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive
              information only on official, secure websites.
 Skip to main content JoinDonate
    About
    About
          About
        
About menu block one
  

        
        What We Do
                Our Impact
                Agency FAQs
About menu block two
  

        
        Our Team
                Careers
About menu block three
  

        
        Agency Overview
                            Budget and Performance Plans
                Disability and Accessibility
                Federal Register Notices
                Open Government
                Plain Writing
                Privacy Policy
                Strategic Plan

  

  
Serve
    Serve
          Serve
        
Serve menu block one
  

        
        AmeriCorps
                            AmeriCorps NCCC
                AmeriCorps State and National
                AmeriCorps VISTA
                AmeriCorps Seniors
                            AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program
                AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
                AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program
Serve menu block two
  

        
        Volunteer
                            9/11 Day
                MLK Day
Serve menu block three
  

        
        Find Your Fit
                Serve FAQs

  

  
Partner
    Partner
          Partner
        
Partner menu block one
  

        
        How it Works
                            AmeriCorps NCCC
                AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent
                AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
                AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion
                AmeriCorps State and National
                AmeriCorps VISTA
                Research and Evaluation
                Volunteer Generation Fund
Partner menu block two
  

        
        Partnerships
                Communities and Initiatives
                Funding Opportunities
Partner menu block three
  

        
        Partner FAQs

  

  
Members & Volunteers
    Members & Volunteers
          Members & Volunteers
        
Members & Volunteers menu block one
  

        
        Your Benefits
                Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
                Education Award FAQs
Members & Volunteers menu block two
  

        
        Alumni
                Members in VISTA
Members & Volunteers menu block three
  

        
        Member and Volunteer FAQs
                Safety and Security

  

  
Grantees & Sponsors
    Grantees & Sponsors
          Grantees & Sponsors
        
Grantee & Sponsors menu block one
  

        
        State Service Commissions
                State and National Direct Grantees
                State Subgrantees
                VISTA Sponsors
                Research and Evaluation Grantees
                Volunteer Generation Fund and Days of Service Grantees
Grantee & Sponsors menu block two
  

        
        RSVP Grantees
                Foster Grandparent Program Grantees
                Senior Companion Program Grantees
                Senior Demonstration Program Grantees
                NCCC Project Sponsors
Grantee & Sponsors menu block three
  

        
        Manage Your Grant
                Grantee and Sponsor FAQs

  

  
Newsroom
    Newsroom
          Newsroom
        
Newsroom menu block one
  

        
        News
                Blog
Newsroom menu block two
  

        
        Stories
                Events
Newsroom menu block three
  

        
        In the News
                Communication Resources



  
Contact
    Contact
    JoinDonate
search Breadcrumb

              Gaining Perspective through National Service
      Submitted by 
dsong
 on 
Wed, 06/22/2022 - 15:45Jun 23, 2022
        Madalyn Shircliff
  

                    *Madalyn is an AmeriCorps VISTA member at University of Maine. After struggling with burnout and fatigue, Madalyn joined AmeriCorps with the purpose to help make education more accessible at the nonprofit level.*

When I went to college to study journalism and political science, my dreams were almost Herculean. I had a clear image in my mind of the path to follow, the career to have, the impact to make. What I didn’t expect was the cynicism that followed – feeling inefficient and that nothing I did mattered. I believe this is something we all experience on a much larger scale today. I was tired and burnt out and didn’t know what to do. Many of us are overwhelmed and we are inundated daily with news, events, and stories that make us feel helpless.

*How can our voice matter in the grand scheme of things?*

*How can the action of one person even make a dent?*

After a period of succumbing to this negativity, I decided to start over and seek the drive again. Surprisingly, I didn’t find this through activities I typically gravitate toward like reading or studying. Instead, I spoke to classmates serving with AmeriCorps who shared about their various roles. I joined AmeriCorps soon after with an objective to learn about a new community and ways to get involved.
                  Madalyn_guest

      *Madalyn during her service at Bridging the Gap*

At the beginning, my service varied day-to-day on campus. Some days I would recruit and talk to students who wanted to volunteer. Other days I created flyers or schedule events. I’ve often found myself in the role of just talking to people to help answer their questions about taxes, tax credits, and financial resources for our CA$H Maine project. But between all these and any other roles I took on, I ended my day with the satisfaction of knowing that my service matters.

I also served with Bridging the Gap, a Goodwill organization based in Augusta, Maine, that provides the community as a warming center during cold months with a clothing bank, and basic essentials and hygiene pantry. My role was to offer resources such as matched savings programs, tuition-free classes, and free tax preparation to the people there. I was able to meet and connect with people from all walks of life. I’ve met people who raced demolition derby, and a pastry chef. I also had the opportunity to help people facing challenges during recovery and re-entry after imprisonment. I’m grateful I was a part of a team that strives to lower barriers to success in underserved areas. The connections I made reignited my ambition as well as my optimism.

National service taught me a big lesson:  one person cannot change the world, even though many of us often burden ourselves by carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. What we can do instead is recognize what’s right in front of us: our community. Sometimes the best thing we can do is help our neighbor and, more importantly,  listen to their needs. This is a lesson that I plan to carry with me into the future because serving my community and seeing the impact gives me new inspirations.

Find out more about national service opportunities for students and young adults for this summer.

*Madalyn Shircliff (she/her) is an AmeriCorps member serving in the VISTA program as college access and success coordinator with New Ventures Maine at the University of Maine at Augusta. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Madalyn was thrilled to move to Maine and join a new, unique community.*
          PreviousGiving the Gift of MusicNextJoin the Caravan to Reframe Aging Back to main content Sign up to hear about our latest news, events, and opportunities.
  Sign up for our newsletter
    Footer about
  

        
        About
                            What We Do
                Our Impact
                Our Team
                Careers
                Agency OverviewFooter serve
  

        
        Serve
                            AmeriCorps
                AmeriCorps Seniors
                Volunteer
                Find Your FitFooter partner
  

        
        Partner
                            How it Works
                Funding OpportunitiesFooter Members & Volunteers
  

        
        Members & Volunteers
                            Your Benefits
                Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
                Alumni
                Safety and SecurityFooter grantees & sponsors
  

        
        Grantees & Sponsors
                            eGrants
                History Checks
                LitmosFooter newsroom
  

        
        Newsroom
                            News
                Blog
                Stories
                Events
                In the News
                Communication Resources
      Bringing Americans together to serve communities

Follow us
  
  1-800-942-2677
            
    help@americorps.gov
    USA.gov / Office of Inspector General / FOIA and Privacy Act / Federal Register notices / No FEAR Act/ Employee Whistleblower Rights / Contractor and Grantee Whistleblower Rights / Office of Special Counsel / STOCK Act / Fraud Alert

Accessibility / Privacy policy / Site map / Donate / Join

**AmeriCorps.gov**
An official website of AmeriCorps. Produced and published at taxpayer expense. 
 You are leaving AmeriCorps.gov
 The website you’re going to is not part of the AmeriCorps domain and may not be under AmeriCorps’ control. Its privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps’. AmeriCorps is not responsible for the link, nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website. Click on the continue button to proceed to the external website; otherwise click cancel to stay on AmeriCorps.gov.
 Cancel Continue