The Impact of CR

Friday, November 01, 2019 - Jamila Spears

When I was younger, I went to Kids College almost every year, a summer camp created to continue education over the summer through the pairing of academic, arts, and sports courses. I remember the classes were fun, but the part I looked forward to most every year was seeing the teens that dedicated their summers to ensuring that the camp was the best experience it could be. I still remember Heather and Kevin, just two of the Chain Reaction volunteers that went out of their way to make sure my time there was amazing. They taught me that you don’t have to do something extraordinary to have a long-lasting impact on someone’s life. The impression they made on me inspired me to become a teen volunteer myself. 

When I was finally old enough, I joined Chain Reaction to be a Kids College volunteer, and during my first summer was asked to interview for an internship on their Teen Leadership Council. Now, after 3 years, I am a Teen President for the 2019-2020 school year, tasked with keeping the 300 teen members of Chain Reaction engaged in service and recruiting additional teen members to serve. I spend roughly 5 hours a week working with Chain Reaction at their center, but this time commitment is worth it from realizing the impact that I am able to have on other people’s lives. Chain Reaction means the world to me as it has been a part of my life for almost 11 years. I have made lifelong connections there that I would not have otherwise, and that I will treasure forever. Chain Reaction has taught me how to be a leader, and helps me grow my leadership skills through giving me the opportunity to lead in my own style and in real-world situations. Through Chain Reaction I was able to discover my love for service and have had countless amazing experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life.