Remembering What Matters Most

By Amber Minutillo, Open Circle student

Community is at the heart of everything I do. Taking the time to get to know and be actively involved in my community is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been volunteering with Student Open Circles for three terms now. People find community in their classrooms, clubs or sports teams, even the workplace. But one aspect of community that’s often forgotten is the most literal one; folks who simply happen to live in proximity. It's easy to think of people who pass us on the sidewalks, sit next to us on the bus, or dine a few seats away at a restaurant as strangers, completely separate from our own lives. It’s true that the only thing I have in common with someone may very well be where we live, but this connection is just as strong as sharing a hobby, isn’t it?

Connecting with the youth and employees at the tutoring programs I volunteer with makes me feel like I’m really part of the community, not just a temporary student who came and went without even a ripple. Even when I have lots of schoolwork and other commitments on my plate, spending time that isn’t focused on me but rather how I can help someone else, centers me and reminds me of what truly means the most: people. I’ve met great people, and I feel more connected to a community so dear to me. I will take this experience with me even after my time as a student has wound to a close.