Team AmeriCorps: Why I Serve by Kieme Eligwe
National AmeriCorps Week is March 10-16, 2019. This week, Full Life Care features our serving members and their amazing contributions to the community. Full Life hosts AmeriCorps members each year, from September through July. Recruitment for the upcoming program year starts in May. For details, visit our AmeriCorps page or email us.
Kieme Eligwe
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Georgia
College: Georgia Southern University, Public Health and Gerontology
AmeriCorps Placement: Full Life Care Solstice Behavioral Health Wellness Coordinator
I moved to Seattle from Stone Mountain, Georgia, to serve at Full Life Care’s Solstice Behavioral Health program, helping to coordinate the Art and Wellness Studios, a weekly program that provides a safe community space for adults with disabilities and mental health challenges to engage in art activities, to learn about healthy habits, and most importantly, to connect with one another.
I decided to join AmeriCorps because I wanted to serve older adults and adults with disabilities in the community. I am concerned about the variety of essentials that are demanded from our seniors. I find myself patient with the required tasks that evolve from their needs. My ability to work with older adults has not just allowed me to serve, but it has been a passionate career choice.
I like being a part of the Full Life Care AmeriCorps team because it presents the opportunity to become active in our community, as well as create a place of comfortability for social engagements. I am currently coordinating a six-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Course at our South Seattle adult day health center, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of older adults and people with chronic or terminal illnesses and disabilities. Being able to assist in the facilitation of this program helps me actively work toward Full Life Care’s mission of helping clients live independent, purposeful lives.
One of my favorite memories of serving so far is when I was having a difficult day. I turned around to take a breath and one of my clients was sitting, looking at me with two thumbs up. It totally made my day.
