Personal Narrative: Why Am I Volunteer

The situation that brought me from my first internship to the second one was frustrating and difficult. Nonetheless, it provided me with beneficial learning experiences for my career and life in general. One of the silver linings of interning at these two considerably different internship experiences was increasing my knowledge of two different types of business. The first of these areas was in the Non-Profit organization at PACS, where their mission is to empower individuals who are struggling. The nonprofit industry has always deeply interested me, and what I learned at PACS only fueled that interest. The time I spent at PACS was brief and ended abruptly. Nonetheless, I learned valuable and significant information and gained an understanding of the various business characteristics that are essential in nonprofit organizations.

After speaking to people, I often had a time to reflect on what I heard. The product was a much greater understanding of the complexity of the American political system. I grew up thinking that that one side was right, and the other was full of irrational arguments. However, people sharing bits of their lives with me taught me that is not true. The support and opposition for every policy makes sense, and deciding which is right is far more of a value judgment than a facts-based judgment than I could have imagined. I feel less sure about what I believe politically after the internship, but again, I do not think that is a bad thing. For the first time, I know how to enter into a thought process without a bias, and able to listen to both sides. This skill is critical for any studies or career in the social sciences.

Volunteering at the Laurel nursing home was an eye opener for me. I had done volunteer work before but the one that inspired me the most was for Laurel Nursing Home. As a group from AP Fatheree Vocational Tech Health Science class, we would go to the nursing home whenever they would allow us to come. At the nursing home, we would come up with games and activities to play with everyone such as: cards, bowling, family feud, and karoake. The best part about volunteering there was seeing the joy on their faces as we all walk in. Our presence meant more to them then we all would have expected especially for the ones who rarely got visitors. Being able to sit and listen to some of the stories they had to tell was a blessing. Although, I learned

When my aunt asked if I wanted to help at the nursing home, I mainly went because I was bored. When I arrived, I helped the residents play bingo and I even painted a few nails. Even though it does not sound like a lot, I realized on that day how much I loved helping others and how I couldn’t wait to volunteer again.

This internship has played a huge part in my decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Organizations, as I have learned more about how a nonprofit is run and been able to see the impacts this organization has on so many people. During this internship, I have designed two websites, helped run a successful fundraising campaign, helped with our Facebook and Instagram accounts, taken pictures, and created many videos displaying the incredible things our organization does on a daily basis. Through this experience, I have been able to witness how much of an impact I can have just by being an intern. Being able to serve people with my talents of design and marketing in the office and seeing that benefit people outside of the office has been an eye-opening experience. For a long time, I thought that serving others was best done with hands-on service such as what I did on summer staff. However, during my time in the office, I have realized just how much work and effort goes on behind the scenes and what a significant impact it makes on our participants and their families, as well as our staff. Seeing all of this during this past semester has made me even more confident in my decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Nonprofit

My most is when when I volunteered at the orphanage, Albergue Infantil Maria Palmira Lavalle, in Campeche, Mexico. Albergue Infantil Maria Palmira Lavalle orphanage, in Campeche, Mexico, was the first orphanage I ever volunteered at. I was surprised how the orphanage was well ran because TV provide a perception of orphanages as a below the poverty line and unsupported system. Albergue Infantil Maria Palmira Lavalle orphanage have the friendliest workers and children there. Everyday my group and I come to volunteer children there always pitched in and help us with the job we was doing. Sometimes some of the kids would stay home from school just to help us. Experiencing that help me identify the true definition of civic engagement. Campeche,

It was an amazing feeling being a part of the community of small non-profits agencies helping low income communities. At these health fairs, I would hand out flyers and talked to people interested in VCC: The Gary Center. At a small agency like the VCC: The Gary Center it was important to receive donations from local businesses. I had to contact many restaurants and grocery stores to donate food and gift card donations. This process was nerve wracking, because I never did outreach to businesses. However, I was quickly able to learn about the process of getting items donated. Many stores have a lengthy process that requires a statement about the agency and the event where the items will be donated too. Going through this process for multiple donation applications made me proficient in my writing skills and communication skills. Despite not working in the counseling program for VCC: The Gary Center, I was able to gain extensive experience in issues that low-income families need help with and important office skills that are necessary for agencies. An internship that goes in line with my future career is being a co-leader for a Human Services class named Character and Conflict.

I worked with the temples staff and organized a weekly soup kitchen to feed the less fortunate people around the area of South San Francisco and San Bruno. My tasks entailed washing dished, cleaning the mandir is there were enough people to help with the soup kitchen. Also serving food, cleaning the murtis, making the food and also going to help buy groceries to prepare the food, if needed. I volunteer at the mandir on the weekends along with my sister and my parents. This activity allows me to not only spend time with my family, but also give back to my community by preparing and serving food to the less fortunate. Additionally, in order to raise funds for the soup kitchen, as we say in hindi langar, I meet with the fundraising committee as

Let me start this story off with a question. Have you ever entered a room with some undoubtful reason, then completely forget why you are there in the first place? There's more to it, and I think I might have cracked the code with an explanation like no other, proven by the human eye itself. Have you ever felt an itch on your body, as if something was crawling under your skin, but find nothing after searching? Well, I am starting to figure it out, last question. Have you ever became extremely disoriented and felt as if the entire world was slipping beneath your feet? Well, enough with the questions, lets get started with the story itself.

When I first started the internship, I was not sure if I would like working in Human Resources. Once I started the internship, I began to enjoy working within Human Resources. Working in the field for three months, has made be change my focus within Healthcare Administration. My preceptor was a great role model. Andrea was flexible around my schedule. Everyone at the internship was welcoming and willing to teach me ways to complete tasks. Friendship Home Healthcare, Inc. is located on Murfreesboro Rd., which is 15 minutes from my house. I gained strong relationships with staff outside of the Human Resource Department. Although I was hired as an intern, I was treated like a full time employee. The most amazing thing about this internship experience is that it really bridged the gap between learning things in school and actually applying some of the school knowledge into a reality.

I volunteered with Health Services Center in Gadsden, AL. Going into the volunteer work, I was worried that it would take up to much of my time, but soon realized that nothing I was doing there was a waste of my time and I enjoyed every second of it. I have also benefitted from others serving me, when I left my hometown to come JSU I was offered by my employer to buy my school textbooks for two semester. This act of service that was not expected or necessary helped me in so many ways and I am striving to be able to pay that forward in the future.

Every Summer, I volunteer with the CCD organization in my town which educates children about their religion. Since I graduated from the program, I thought it would be nice to give back to those who also wanted to know more about their religion. When I was there I assisted with classes, organized paperwork, and watched the kids during recess. One day I saw a little girl sitting on the playground crying, and I walked over to her to find out what happened. It turns out she had failed first grade and had to retake it again. She told me that her parents had moved to the United States from Spain and her grades were bad because she knew little English. She couldn’t get a tutor because her family didn't have enough money and bilingual tutors were too

My favorite volunteering experience within the Young Men's Service League is in coordination with an organization called This Side Up whose main goal is to bring families closer together and inspire children to dream big. I love it, because it allows me to truly get to know the kids. Furthermore, I get to sit down with them and discuss their hopes and dreams for the future. This allows me to reinforce the point of never giving up and having the "grit" of determination. When I leave each time I know that if I have been able to inspire in any small way young children to continue shooting for the stars, I know I have done something special. That feeling inspires me to continue to use what resources and capabilities that I have to do more. To ensure that people are not left with hopelessness, but hope in the

In addition, the internship was a good to find out what my strength and my weaknesses are. This helped me to know what knowledge and skills I have to improve in future.

My process in an internship was a great experience. I was working with Comunidades Unidas (Communities United) during these four months. My experience with this non-profit organization is incredible and at the same time I learned to work with members of the community. This organization works with undeserved Latino Community in the West side of Salt Lake City. I did not work an only specific area because they work in different files. However, I was a case manager who received call and tries to refer people to the different programs of this organization or contact them with other agencies.