Volunteering at Madison House Strikes a Chord
Jack Engel, Madison House Head Program Director
After serving as the program director for Madison House’s Music Resource Center partnership last year, UVA third-year student Jack Engel is now a head program director for Madison House’s Youth Mentoring program. His journey from volunteer to program director to head program director has been a highlight of his time at UVA.
“Being with Madison House has shown me that supporting your community and being able to grow not only yourself, but also to help the people around you grow just as much, is incredibly rewarding,” says Jack.
Jack joined Madison House during his first year at UVA. He wanted to become a volunteer because although he had done a little bit of volunteering in high school, he always wished he had the opportunity to do more. Jack’s love for music inspired him to join Music Practice Partners, a program in which UVA students practice with young Charlottesville musicians after school. Jack found that the program allowed him to “support people in the ways that he was supported growing up,” and he was especially grateful for the program’s social outlet and strong community bonds during the pandemic. Jack was further inspired by the program’s director that year, Ian Hansing. Ian’s energizing leadership motivated Jack to apply for the program director position the following year.
Music Resource Center in Charlottesville, Virginia
The Music Practice Partner’s program has evolved since Jack first joined. Today volunteers support the Music Resource Center, a non-profit afterschool program located off Main Street in downtown Charlottesville. At the Music Resource Center, Charlottesville youth have access to musical instruments, instruction, and a community of musicians and mentors. Jack describes the center as a “playground for all things music” where kids can explore any musical interest. “Whether they are interested in instrumental music or if they want to rap or write songs or make beats…the Music Resource Center supports them,” Jack says enthusiastically.
As the Madison House program director at the Music Resource Center during his second year at UVA, one of Jack’s primary roles was to recruit volunteers. He looked for students who were as passionate about music as he was to teach lessons and encourage kids in their discovery of song, dance, or playing an instrument.
With a team in place, Jack’s other main objective was to support program volunteers throughout the year. Jack encouraged the student volunteers to collaborate, sharing their successes and discussing how they could continue to grow the program and best support the kids at the Music Resource Center. Jack views his role as a program director as that of a facilitator and organizer rather than a supervisor.
“I can learn as much from my volunteers as they can from me,” emphasizes Jack. He notes that volunteers are an important part of building the program’s future. As a leader at Madison House, Jack is excited to kindle “that fire for students who want to have a bigger voice” in the program and the local community. Working together, Jack and his team focus on being a strong community partner for the Music Resource Center, ensuring that they support them in accordance with the center’s needs and priorities.
Jack believes that volunteering is reciprocal, benefitting both partner and volunteer. The opportunity to create meaningful impact in the community combined with the hands-on experience that helps students learn, grow, and expand personal perspectives is a valuable experience.
Jack knows his experience at Madison House will be relevant to his future goals. He is pursuing biochemistry and music undergraduate degrees and ultimately would like to obtain both MD and PhD degrees. Jack is confident that the leadership skills, teamwork, and passion for community that he’s developed at Madison House will serve him well, and he recommends that all UVA students explore service through Madison House.
“Madison House gives students opportunities in every way that they could ever want to give back to the community,” says Jack. Whether it is through hospitals or tutoring or the YMCA, there are so many different programs that can attract every type of student.”
Reflecting on his work at Madison House, Jack shares a valuable observation. “There are many opportunities we take for granted… giving back is an incredible thing that you don’t realize until you do it,” says Jack.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Madison House, visit https://www.madisonhouse.org/volunteers
Author: Caroline Young