By Bilal Akhtab - As part of the 2010-2011 class of Public Allies in New York City, I am a living example of the positive impact AmeriCorps programs have in our communities. The mission of Public Allies is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits, and civic participation. Its primary operation is the Ally Program, which partners young adults who have a passion to make a difference with local community-based organizations for a 10-month period.
This AmeriCorps funded program has helped me to establish a clear path into launching my public service career, and without it, I am not sure that statement would hold true. I am currently one of the fifty Public Allies serving in communities throughout New York City. We work four days a week at our partner organizations, and gather on Fridays for leadership training and community service projects. We do important work such as educating and mentoring youth, organizing tenants to advocate for housing rights and connecting the poor and homeless to jobs and housing.
Community Resource Exchange (CRE) has been my place of employment during this time, providing me with the opportunity to contribute to its mission of fighting poverty and advancing social justice. During my time here as a Program Assistant, I've engaged with leaders of nonprofits in all five boroughs of New York City, doing my part to help them make their organizations and stronger and more effective. I’ve also been able to cultivate my own talents and use them in unique ways to help organizations thrive. For example, I recently worked with a food pantry in the Bronx. I had the pleasure of going onsite to serve their clients, and engaging with volunteers and staff to better understand the organization’s mission and work in the community. Using the information I obtained, I was able to provide strategic advice that improved the organization’s planning and fundraising efforts, helping the pantry survive through difficult times. It gives me great pleasure to know that my efforts as an Ally and as a member of the CRE staff has helped people who are so passionate about serving their community, as well as those in need.
At a 2009 White House event for the Corporation for National and Community Service, First Lady Michelle Obama, who was the founding Executive Director of Public Allies Chicago, spoke passionately about her involvement with the organization: “I was never happier in my life than when I was working to build Public Allies…That feeling that you get when you help somebody achieve their goals, when you help a group of young people learn more about themselves by working with others, when you hire young diverse people, and you see them grow and develop. There is nothing more fulfilling.”
My experiences with CRE and Public Allies have been instrumental in my development as a young professional dedicated to public service. Working alongside experienced staff in the nonprofit sector has been invaluable, giving me a wealth of knowledge about the best practices related to running an effective community-based organization. I’m more confident in my own abilities, and believe more strongly that I belong in the nonprofit sector.
The team-oriented approach of Public Allies has made me more open to giving and receiving critical feedback. I’ve established meaningful friendships with many of my peers and networked with professionals from a variety of backgrounds. I’ve been able to gain experience in back-office functions, but also continue to go into schools and community centers, engaging with New Yorkers to better understand the challenges present in our neighborhoods. Because of these experiences, public service is more important to me now than ever before, and I am proud to be one of the 706,000 people who have served as AmeriCorps members since 1994.
Bilal joined CRE as a Program Assistant in September 2010 through Public Allies. For more information about recent college graduates and public service employment, please visit:
“More College Graduates Take Public Service Jobs”
“Recent College Graduates Can Find Silver Lining In Service Programs”
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