Supply vs Demand

          In Economics class, you learn quickly that supply is mostly driven by demand.  It is a concept which states that when an item is in demand, a supply will be created to fulfill it. The concept isn’t far removed, and in some situations the supply (or) needs are not always met.  For example, while participating in the work study program at USC Sumter, I was asked to become a member and mentor for AmeriCorps located at the South Sumter Resource Center.  AmeriCorps, which is a federal service agency, helps to enhance the local community through public service ranging from tutoring at-risk youth to disaster response. Along with community service, AmeriCorps has partnered with a federally funded program called YouthBuild to start a mentoring program.  YouthBuild is designed to help members between the ages of 17-24 from lower economic areas earn their high school diploma or GED, obtain a trade and secure employment.  AmeriCorp’s role in YouthBuild is to provide guidance to members who are in need of direction.

          AmeriCorps needs more volunteers to participate in the mentoring and community service projects with the YouthBuild members.  The AmeriCorps program was initially designed to provide one on one counseling with Youthbuild mentees and assist with community service.  However, due to a shortage of volunteers at AmeriCorps and growing number of participants within Youth Build, AmeriCorps has been forced to pair with multiple Youth Build members to mentor and complete community service. Not only is there an overall shortage of AmeriCorps mentors but more visibly there is a shortage of African American male mentors. 

          As I reflect on Intro to African History and traditions that were practiced long ago, many communal beliefs have disappeared in today’s time. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, ninety percent of Sumter County YouthBuild members were African American males who lacked a positive male role model in his community. There is a sense of urgency to help young black men to reach their potential.  However, you can only help those who are willing to be helped through some words of encouragement and direction.  As a community, we can pull together to help all of our community members who are struggling along the way. Helping them to obtain a high school education will hopefully put them on a path to enhance their quality of life all while reaching and giving back to the community.

          My proposal is to help with the shortage of AmeriCorps volunteers.  My first step would be to merge USC Sumter and Central Carolina in a joint partnership.  This would consist of participants being a mentor with AmeriCorps Vista. The objective is to bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.  A representative for the program will be hired under the AmeriCorps grant. These representatives will be strategically placed in both schools to provide a direct line for people who would like to volunteer for community projects or provide tutors for YouthBuild members and the Sumter County Adult Education Center.  Students would be exposed to problems faced locally and will be charged to find solutions. Members of the community will be encouraged to speak to younger AmeriCorps member versus a successful lawyer who AmeriCorps members may potential feel the individual is passing judgment.

          The second step is launch the AmeriCorps Vista statewide.  I would recommend all USC campuses to partner with the local campuses such as Technical colleges or Universities to develop a program similar to the one in Sumter. Another selling point would be the opportunity for the USC or CCTC student to earn a scholarship for successful completion of the AmeriCorps Vista program.

          The three criterias chosen to evaluate the plan was effectiveness, efficiency and politically.  The measure for effect determined that the YouthBuild members were receiving one on one mentoring, the shortage of mentors lowered drastically and the local community was enhanced through a rise in community service projects. Efficiency was determined to be high due to the rise in YouthBuild graduation rates and YouthBuild alumni becoming mentors for AmeriCorps. Politically the mayor saw what a great impact AmeriCorps with its partnership with USC Sumter and CCTC and deemed it the golden standard for community service and vowed to help improve the program in any way possible.