By: Heather Pritchard 

“I'm a much better person and in a much better position than I was last August,” 22-year-old Mark Keplinger shared, reflecting on a year of AmeriCorps service with the American Red Cross.

After graduating Tulane University with degrees in history and Spanish and a minor in philosophy, Mark joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest program. “I wanted an adventure and something completely different, he said, “something completely new, something that no one else in my sphere is going to be doing.”

Mark also valued the structure, guidance, and support provided by the program, which includes four core values: community, simple living, spirituality, and social and ecological justice. Jesuit volunteers are assigned communal living where “decisions are made as one.” Housemates serve in different organizations, with a goal to provide a better sense of the issues in the community.

Through the spiritual practices, Mark describes himself as “a lot more reflective.” One practice, called The Daily Examen, has been particularly impactful for him. “I always feel a little bit more at peace and a little bit calmer,” he said. The Examen is a prayer where one reflects on the events of the day, with a specific emphasis on showing gratitude for the many small blessings in life.

“It was definitely a very big blessing in disguise getting my role here at Red Cross,” he said, describing his supervisor, Disaster Program Manager Britta Tonnessen, as an incredible mentor. Mark says he sought to bring energy, quick learning, and a willingness to try new things to his role as Preparedness Specialist for the Red Cross of Alaska, his first professional experience. “I definitely tried some things this year that were different from how things are normally done,” Mark said. “I'm quite pleased with how some of it turned out.” He was able to leverage resources, volunteers, and staff to reach all his metrics. “I was super proud of that, and I owe a really great big thank you to all my volunteers to help make that happen,” he said.

Based on his experience growing up in the lower 48, Mark expected events to be cancelled due to inclement weather and difficult driving conditions. When Southeast Alaskans showed up to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. during a blizzard, Mark was impressed. “I learned a pretty valuable lesson of like, just go play in the rain,” he said.  

Another valuable lesson was: “just be flexible and good things will happen.” Mark showcased his flexibility when he deployed to Florida as a sheltering service associate with the Red Cross. The day he arrived, damage assessors were needed. He joined a training on-site and was in the field doing damage assessments that afternoon.

This coming school year, Mark will begin law school at the University of Houston Law Center. Mark says his exposure to the world has expanded his view of what law could be and what it could be used for. He is grateful when reflecting on his past year of service and recommends the program to anyone just out of college looking for growth and adventure. “Even if you don't end up doing nonprofit work for a career like this, having that experience in the back of your mind, I think will definitely always make the world a better place.”

The American Red Cross of Alaska is currently recruiting for Americorps members in both Fairbanks and Anchorage to support our mission. Click here to learn more and apply. To learn more about the JVC Northwest program, click here.