In November, some of our AmeriCorps members and program staff attended a Service Speaks Training that is sponsored by ServeOhio, Ohio’s commission on service and volunteerism. Service Speaks facilitators lead dialogues about service, justice, and civic engagement based on short texts, images, and videos. The purpose is to bring people together for reflection, resulting in a deeper understanding of the values that drive public service, and thorough reflection of our own service experiences. According to ServeOhio, Service Speaks allows “members and staff [to become] more familiar on the art of facilitation and [gain] a better understanding of the importance of civic reflection.”

OCC’s AmeriCorps member at Kent State University, Kalena Speicher, is planning to host a service speaks session for the MLK Day of Service on January 15th based on what she learned at this training. Kalena says, “I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to attend Service Speaks training and become a facilitator. This was an amazing experience. I am excited to bring this reflective dialogue style back to my campus. My first Service Speaks session will take place as part of the Kent State University’s MLK Day events. I will be facilitating a dialogue with my peers based on the piece Together, You Can Redeem The Soul of Our Nation by John Lewis.”

John Lewis was the co-founder and chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and helped organize many parts of the civil rights movements, including the Freedom Rides, the 1963 March on Washington, and the marches from Selma to Montgomery. His work, Together, You Can Redeem The Soul of Our Nation was published shortly before his death in 2020.

Read more about the November Service Speaks Training here.

About Kalena:

Kalena is a senior at Kent State University, majoring in Political Science. She also has minors in Nonprofit Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Psychology. After receiving her bachelor’s, she plans on continuing her education at Kent State by pursuing her master’s in public administration. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, traveling, making jewelry, and volunteering. Through her volunteer work on the Kent campus, she learned about this opportunity with AmeriCorps and is serving a second term. She is passionate about reducing food insecurity and is excited to continue to serve with the Flashes Fighting Hunger Pantry and increase their efforts on campus.

For questions about the Student Resource Center Program, contact Stephanie Dodd.