Volunteer Work

 

When I first moved back to New York after graduating college in Kennesaw, Georgia, I wanted to find a fun and positive way to make a difference in my community and connect with others on a local level. So, I opened my laptop and typed into Google, “Volunteer opportunities near me.” I also ran a search on, “Volunteer with nonprofit organizations” – once I gathered a list of my top 5 most interested volunteer opportunities, I filled out any contact forms and signed up with my information. However, only one organization followed up with me via email and still does until this day, and that was, Long Island Cares (“LIC”). In the 4 years that I’ve been working with LIC, I learned a lot about how much the organization relies on us to help out, exercise is great for your body, and you get to do a good deed for the day.

Another nonprofit organization that I have volunteered with in the past and was originally introduced to by my sorority (Gamma Phi Beta) is Girls on the Run. This program is designed around #BuildingStrongGirls through the use of life skill curriculum that successfully teaches third- to eighth grade aged girls how to navigate life experiences with lessons on social, emotional, physical and behavioral skills. The emphasis of their mission is to develop competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities and build the mental strength followed by the physical.