City Year Miami Founding Corps ('08 - '09)

There are more than a hundred people here. We’re all making a difference. We’re all different but we’re here for one reason. We’re here so things can get better for me, for you, for us before we don’t have an us, a you and a me anymore. I need you and you need me. Why not be at peace in knowing nothing is ever the same? The only thing constant in this world is change. And it doesn’t take someone with sense to understand that the presence is a present of the past. Nothing lasts more than memories. But if we all think together we can make a movement towards moving forward into an imperfectly perfect world. A world where everything is beautiful because there are those who are the village that raises this child named [Enter Students Name Here]. No, really. Enter students name in the blank spots you once held as space in that heart of yours. Enter your ‘without wax’ supreme being’s name. They are called Powerful, but to us, they will always be our kids. They will always be our students, but most importantly, our teachers. So let’s stop worrying if we’re even making a difference at all, because just thinking about it means we’ve done something. I once heard someone say you fail by not trying to fail but I’m proud to stand here with you – shoulder to shoulder, idealism to idealism, Corps Member to Corps Member, or better yet, a Corps Member to a future Corps Member - as we begin to serve others. We all know “it doesn’t take a degree to serve. Everyone can serve.” All it takes is a ripple of hope for founding stories to create a cathedral from a book that Puts Idealism to Work. So grab a Can Do Attitude and take a sip to quench your thirst of Mountain Dew. The mountain’s dew that makes it feel as though our Moccasins are treading water. So let’s get to marching. Let’s begin to live a dream of Peace that has a piece of each generation and brings them into our final circle. Let’s break on the barriers that keep us separated because society has given the leftovers for school to throw out like end of the year materials. Let’s recycle and renew the spirits of the F schools that Don’t C Being An Ambassador of wisdom as grades. Let’s continue to make a difference. We’re the Founding Corps of the City of Miami. I hope this isn’t our Only Year to change the world. I wish you all luck and the best in life because you have just changed Miami.