When I was little, my mother used to tell me, “Always try your best to help others, Yvonne. You may not know what they’re going through or what problems they are facing, but if you can make one positive difference, you have the power to create change.”
Now of course, when I was little I didn’t really understand the significance of what my mother was saying. Most of the time, I just wanted to keep on playing with my Barbies. My mother, on the other hand, would always go out and find some way to help out in the community.
I started volunteering when I was around 11 years old. My mother came home one day and announced, “Yvonne, I want to take you to the place where I volunteer, I know you’re going to love it.” Well, I had my doubts, but in the end, I decided to go.
The organization that my mother volunteered for was called the Community Closet, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. As soon as I stepped foot into the Community Closet, I knew that I was going to love it there. I met amazing volunteers who I now consider family. The supervisor of the organization was welcoming, and happy to have the additional help.
I have been volunteering at the Community Closet for nine years now. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned a lot about others and myself. I don’t see volunteer work as a chore or just something to do as a last resort when you’re bored. Volunteering is much more than that.
At the end of the day, if my volunteering can help a person in need improve their life, that is worth it. I’ve learned how to put others' needs before my own. Since I live in an urban city, there are many people whose battles are greater than my own. Through volunteering, I’ve been able to help little kids get their school supplies when their parents can't afford them. I’ve been able to help families in need that don’t have the luxury to go to the mall to get a new outfit. Sometimes, we take those things for granted.
Many of us pass through life just trying to survive, but not actually living. We go day in and day out trying to pay the bills, student loans, dealing with family, problems, so on and so forth. However, volunteering has taught me how to really appreciate all that I have in life. Surely not everyone has a perfect life, but it’s always good to take the time to step back and be grateful for what we have so far.
Volunteering helps not only the people who need the resources, but it helps the person who does the work. Seeing a happy child, parent or family at the end of the day is what makes volunteering worth it and my passion.
