Meet the LISC Indianapolis AmeriCorps Member Kiaora Muhammad, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center

My name is Kiaora Muhammad and I am serving as the LISC AmeriCorps member at Mary Rigg Neighborhood Centers.

I am serving in this role to have the chance to learn more about the work being done in a community center and get to network with other individuals who are seeking the same things as me.

 I really enjoy the family financial stability side of this work because I know what it’s like to grow up knowing your parents’ financial situation. I would purposefully exclude myself in activities and, after a while, I stopped making friends with other kids. I think it’s important to implement things in the community that are inclusive of all income levels so kids have a chance to just be kids.

During my time at Mary Rigg, I’ve learned that many people in our community have been negatively impacted by the increase in rent prices over the last few years. Roughly one-quarter of American renters said they can no longer afford to pay their rent. I have learned that partnership, trust and collective impact provide the infrastructure to positively affect the advancement of all people and places. You receive help from every single day without even realizing it. I continue to strive for more connections and thrive when I see actual change and long-lasting impact on people and the community.

After my AmeriCorps service ends, I plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work or psychology. It's always been a dream of mine to open an at-risk youth center to those who may be going through a crisis. I want to provide a safe haven for those in need. I feel like I've earned so much from working in a community center. From the front desk to project planning to working with the youth team, this has been such an amazing opportunity that I never would’ve thought I would have. I want to implement something here that will continue being done after my service time is up. I love seeing people continuing a cycle because then I know that there is a need for it and I’m on the right track.

- Kiaora Muhammad, AmeriCorps Service Member for Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center