Growing Up in a World of Volunteering: A Personal Journey

As a child of parents both employed in the non-profit world, I have literally spent my entire life exposed to a volunteering way of life--helping others struggling in various way, dealing with minor tragedy, social injustice or simply the need to make life better in one way or another. Some of my earliest memories involve remodeling a house for the Wig Bank, helping set tables for fundraiser dinner parties, or selling raffle tickets. More recently, I have been the one donating my photography services to raise money for the free clinic, organizing a clothes drive for the Women’ Shelter, or simply writing my own check for a special cause.

In 2012, at age 15 I volunteered for Organizing for America--the grassroots campaign effort for the Obama

During this time, my mother began working with The Shelter Home of Caldwell County-a safe home for victims of domestic abuse. Some days after school, I would go with my mother to volunteer in some way. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but i was shocked at what I experienced. There were children! I had niavely fogotten about the

I have learned the answers to my questions about our differences lies solely in the parenting. Although I have seen many parents who seem not to care--and even more than a few who have had their children taken away-- I have seen many that want to be good parents but have given up or are fighting too hard to save themselves they have forgotten their children. I have become fascinated by the idea of “breaking the chain”, helping children understand that their lives do not have to be defined by their parents. This realization came hard to me because I believe I am who I am I am today because of my parents. I guess I am