Reflecting on 2009. By: Meg Hannigan, IMPACTO Youth Resource Coordinator

When I began my placement as a Jesuit Volunteer (JV) at IMPACTO last August, I assumed I’d be working at a typical after-school program. But five months and countless multiplication tables later, I’ve experienced firsthand what makes this amazing program so special and unique.

My position gives me the beautiful opportunity to assist both in structurally addressing needs of the students and getting to work alongside and build relationships with them. My mornings are divided between recruiting, training and overseeing volunteers, searching for available resources and working with and learning from the staff to organize enrichments and other student activities. In 2009, with the help of some amazing volunteers, we were also able to start a weekly music program (violin, piano, vocal, and guitar) at one site and get a piano donated to the other site. One of my favorite memories thus far was witnessing the student’s first musical recital. The volunteers I work with are so passionate and dedicated to the students; it’s a great reflection of IMPACTO’s emphasis on relationship building and academic achievement.

IMPACTO has given me the chance to really get to know the students: their families, backgrounds, interests, personalities, who they are. It has allowed me to become a part of the student’s lives, both academically and outside the classroom. I still have a lot to learn from my time at IMPACTO and its students, and many more goals to work towards. I couldn’t have been blessed with a better JV placement and have already had such a wonderful experience working at Proyecto Pastoral.