Jarrell Brackett - Supporting Students And Encouraging Authenticity

​Thank you for reading my blog. My name is Jarrell T. Brackett, and I am a first year VISTA serving with Communities In Schools of Michigan as their Branding Manager. Though we're located in Lansing our organization provides direct support to students in the classroom throughout the state. We make sure that boys and girls are given the support needed to become gainfully employed adults in the world. 
 
At Communities In Schools (CIS), I spend my day creating media. Because our sphere of influence expands across the state, I am reading, responding, and creating new stories about the successes of CIS. My e-mail is filled with responses to questions about students all over Michigan. In the coming weeks, I am hoping to release the CIS Annual Report with the findings from our daily work with the students at schools. 
 
I originally came to Michigan to go to college and fight for the Olivet College Boxing Team. Once here, I decided I needed to turn back to service. I previously served with the Public Allies program in Pittsburgh, PA. My focus with them was serving at USA Boxing and with the Boy Scouts of America. USA Boxing is an excellent nonprofit, and when I am not serving at CIS, I am likely making strides to train their fighters and coaches. 
 
Communities In Schools has been good for me personally. Seeing the the people I work with wake up with the intent to do good has inspired me. My personal life has been rife with challenges, but the time I spend working is worthwhile, fun, and healing. We actively help people become the men and women they want to be, and that aligns with my personal goals. My hope is to change the lives of people I meet and encourage them to be authentic. I want for people to be filled with joy.
 
For me, the most unusual part about my job is the lack of contact I get with people. Because most of my work is behind a desk rather than in a school,  I've had to find ways to be more involved and hands-on than I would normally be. I ask to volunteer at schools. I acquire non-perishables and clothes to be donated to students in need. If there are days and times when I can be available to the schools CIS supports, I show up. One of the biggest disconnects I see in the nonprofit world tends to be that the people who make decisions do not understand the realities of the people who use the services. I don't want to become disconnected, and I strive to make that work. 
 
To all of the other VISTAs which may encounter this blog I would like to say a few things:
1. You have a high value. Be sure to act like it while displaying your talents.
2. Be authentic. You exist as you. Don't try to be someone else, it doesn't work.
3. Call your friends. Be sure to remember who emotionally has been there for you.
4. Express yourself. Singing badly is still good expression, sometimes you have to let it all out.
5. Fight. If you see injustice or hear ridiculousness, then be sure to combat it. Don't just let people say untrue, incorrect, or hurtful things to keep the peace. It's not really peaceful. It just looks peaceful.
6. Be an investigator. Be sure of what you are being presented.
 
Other than that, I want to thank the group of VISTAs for your continued support. I am here for you all as well.