“I've always believed that anyone can write, and I think now more than ever, it's important to make sure young scholars are encouraged to write their own stories. Imagination is at its peak at that age, so I think if kids are encouraged to learn about what it means to tell stories, it can be something they hold on to for life.”
Jesuit Volunteers (JVs) (who are also AmeriCorps Volunteers) are tasked with building the capacity of the communities that they serve. In every setting, in every locale, JVs start the year listening and learning, so that they can identify a need that they are equipped to meet by the end of the year. The tricky part – their project needs to live beyond their presence. So, while they should take into account their particular gifts, skills, talents, and perhaps even passions – they also need to create something that someone else could use in their place.
For Ben Vanelli (he/him), serving at St. Therese Catholic Academy in Seattle, this is a part of the challenge of writing a curriculum as his Capacity Building Project. “I’m adding a lot of speaker notes to the slides I’m creating to best prepare the future instructors. I want to be detail-oriented, but not so much that the instructor loses a grasp on things.” When Ben was the age of the students he works with, writing was his favorite part of his school day. “I hope kids are able to write stories they remember forever because of my project. At that age, the rare instances when we could write creatively were my favorite part of school, so I hope it gives these students more opportunities to do that.”
Have you ever used a recipe where you wish the author had added… just a bit more detail? You seemed to have followed their instructions but your finished product doesn’t look like theirs. Perhaps you have also experienced the opposite… a little less storytelling and a little more recipe, please.
Striking this balance is difficult, whether you are a JV writing a curriculum or a blogger sharing a recipe.
While Ben will leave behind a curriculum for the after-school program, his Capacity Building Project is also teaching him about himself, his sense of purpose, and his own capacity. “I guess I was surprised by how simple it can be to find a gap and be able to fill it with nothing but your passions… I’m learning that what I care about matters! I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer in some capacity, and at the same time, have known it’s an impractical way to make a living, especially today with AI and the massive influx of talent as accessibility to writing increases. But I have seen some of the students write their own stories and make their own comics, reminding me that it can be very useful to keep encouraging kids to write and tell their own stories.”
At St. T’s, Ben has learned about the challenges of education, and the passion of the educators who surround him. “Education is HARD. Teaching is absolutely the most under-valued, under-paid, and under-appreciated occupation in the world. For many of the teachers here, it feels like they have dedicated their entire lives to their jobs. When they leave school, their days still aren’t over as they write report cards, grade papers, print worksheets, etc. St. T’s does an excellent job of recruiting volunteers, getting helping hands from staff and parents, and fundraising to meet their educational goals, but there are still instances when luxuries like school buses can’t be afforded. It’s so impressive to me, and it makes me sad that the same resources aren’t available to schools everywhere to ensure each student’s educational goals and needs are being met.”
Ben hopes that his contribution of a curriculum will make it easier for a future teacher or volunteer at St. T’s to create space for creative writing to blossom.
Curious about Vonnegut’s Shape of Stories? Check out an explanation from the author himself here.
