Michael with three of his LEARN students on their student service day!

Hello, everyone! My name is Michael Lavelle, and I’m the Academic Coordinator for the B-READY after-school program. I’m here to reflect a little on my experience of being a second year Jesuit Volunteer. As some of you may know, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps consists of a one-year commitment to service.  However, due to my immensely positive experience last year at St. Stephen’s last year, I elected to extend my service for an additional year. It was a difficult period of discernment for me as I decided about doing an additional year.  Indeed, at the beginning of this year, I had some doubts about whether it was the right decision– it meant another year without making money; putting off grad school for another year; taking the risk of joining an unknown community of new Jesuit Volunteers after the first had been so great, etc. 

However, all my doubts were eliminated when I walked back through the door of 419 Shawmut Ave. and received big welcome back hugs from Christina, Hannah, and Liz!  Not only were my very welcoming and appreciative co-workers a substantial affirmation that I had made the right decision, but also the general reaction of the young people I serve.  Simply put, they took my presence for granted! At first, that might sound like an odd affirmation to be grateful for, but I feel there’s a great deal to be found in that reaction. Just being a familiar presence to the kids here bestowed upon me an immediate respect and trust that had taken me months to build up last year. Knowing the kids as intimately as I do gave me the confidence from the get-go to deal with the tougher situations that arose and make my group a more positive place for everyone. Lastly, being able to reminisce about past field trips and activities has been a great way to continue building relationships with my kids as well as encourage positive and optimistic behavior. When I can approach Alexis and talk about the many times we played kickball together last year, or talk to Kamilla about another girl that had been in the program last year but didn’t return and how we both miss her, I make significant progress in helping them feel big, safe, and connected! 

Although my continued relationships with the kids and staff here at the B-READY Program have been the most rewarding aspect of my second year, my experiences both as Academic Coordinator and as an Academic Intern during B-SAFE have helped me gain the flexibility to try new things, most notably in the area of science programming here at St. Stephen’s. Last summer as part of the B-SAFE program, I led various science activities during what we called Mad Science Day.  During this school year’s B-READY after-school program, we have been able to incorporate the same activities and more every week. Also, with my prior experience as the supervisor of our PULSE student volunteers from Boston College, I have streamlined all their paperwork and have been able to let all fourteen of them (an unprecedentedly high number) contribute in new and innovative ways. For example, Bernice very successfully leading Valentine’s Day Teambuilders this past Fridaym and Agnes and Lindley proctoring Math Diagnostic Tests to track our kids’ math progress are both responsibilities that I would not have been able to give last year. 

I have definitely faced some struggles this year both personally and at work; however I’m still very grateful to Christina and Liz for the opportunity to continue serving these kids that I love in a program whose philosophy I so fervently believe in. In all the struggles that I have faced, it’s the day-to-day interactions with wonderful children like Arianna, Jayd’n, Adianai, abd Nellymar (and many more) that continue to keep me motivated. It’s been a great first half of the year, and I’m very excited for all the great times that are still coming!

Posted by Michael Lavelle, Jesuit Volunteer and Acadmemic Coordinator and Lead Counselor at B-READY @ St. Stephen’s