Member Bio: Sonja Pipek

AN INTERVIEW BY STAFF WRITER JOANNA JUNGERMAN

Site: Commitment to Community

Hometown: Staples, Minnesota

Reasons for joining the team: I wanted to dedicate some time to volunteering, the timing was perfect, and in a state that I love!

What has been the best thing about your experience with AmeriCorps so far?

A family that I met threw my site. With a history (I love to learn about people and their story that has brought them to today.... so you should all share with me over coffee) that would shock anyone. The three children, who are being raised by their grandmother, have taught me more about life then anyone else. Spending time with people who crave to have someone who cares, when all you want in life is to help someone else... that will do it. It has taken me a year and a half, but I can see positive changes in one of the three kids’ lives. I only hope that what I have done and continue to do will be enough to help them succeed in life. So if you are wondering where I am on Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday... I'm reading, helping with homework, baking, or playing outside.... if you ever want to join, you are welcome!

What is a typical day like at your site?

LOL, there is no typical day at C2C, no day is like the day before it. But in a week I do various projects including: running an after school program in an industrial neighborhood out by the penitentiary, answering e-mails, visiting with families in our neighborhoods, helping organize the details of an upcoming event, asking for donations, speaking with new contacts about potential ways for them to become involved, and discussing with our amazing "team" about what is happening; sharing stories and advice.

Any Hobbies/ passions/ goals/ hopes that you would like to tell us about?

Oh that is a big question! I love to do all sorts of things from camping and hiking to reading and knitting... I like to do a little bit of everything.

I like to think that I'm a very passionate person; I really just want to be able to help people. Yes, I have had many challenges in my life, but I consider myself very fortunate for the family, support, health, happiness, etc. that I had as a child. Now, I want to do my part to help give others a little something that they may otherwise miss out on. When a child tells you they don't know how to do a cartwheel because they have had no one to teach them, well you gotta teach them.

My biggest goal in life is to find a way in which I can make a difference.

If you had a time machine and you could go back in time OR into the future, which direction would you choose to go? Why?

If I had a time machine I would go back in time to about 1900. Why? To stop the Monsanto company. From what, you may ask? From the near monopoly that they now have on seeds and the creation of Round-Up. Which has/is/will create problems for future generations and keeps people from being self sufficient in less developed countries. Genetically engineered seeds don't allow for people to plant something and then use the seeds to plant the next year. Round-Up also greatly depletes the nutritional value of soil and produce, weakens crops and causes cancer. That could increase rates of poverty and hunger around the world.