I've spent almost my entire career in service to others. So much so that it's no longer just what I do. It's who I am.
But why?
I didn't set out on this path. Life led me here.
Teaching is certainly a vocation, but the classroom also opened my eyes to deep inequities. Some schools had abundant resources. Others had almost none. Students faced barriers such as hunger, racism, homelessness, violence, addiction, and abuse.
These were enormous mountains for young people to climb before they could even begin to learn and succeed. Moving into the nonprofit world felt like a chance to do something about it. I couldn't fix everything, but maybe I could open the door a little wider for young people.
My personal experiences also shaped my path.
At different times in my life, I relied on social services. Later, I worked for a food bank. As a struggling parent, I often felt unheard and unseen. That experience drew me into community organizing and family engagement. My teenage years were shaped by trauma. Years later, I found myself leading a youth-serving organization. People I love are neurodivergent. Today, I work at Dreamzilla.
Looking back, I can see a pattern. I was drawn to places where I had experienced a need or witnessed someone else struggling. I wanted to do something about it. And, I knew first hand what it meant when someone showed up for me.
But here's something I've learned along the way. Giving back isn't entirely selfless. And I don't think it needs to be.
Volunteering is a bit like a boomerang. What you give often comes back to you.
I've learned as much from the people I've served alongside as I hope they've learned from me. I've met people I might never have known otherwise. I've heard stories that challenged my assumptions and changed how I see the world.
Research has linked volunteering to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Volunteering can help us make friends, find a sense of belonging, and build skills we might never develop otherwise. For employers, volunteer programs can even strengthen employee engagement.
Nonprofits benefit, too. The estimated value of a volunteer's time is more than $30 an hour. For a small organization like Dreamzilla, that’s significant. Every hour someone gives is an hour that helps stretch our limited resources a little further.
Maybe you've been helped by a nonprofit and want to give something back. Maybe someone you love has faced challenges that connect you to a particular cause. Or maybe you're new to a community, looking for connection, or simply want to do something that feels meaningful.
There is no single reason to volunteer. And there doesn't need to be.
At Dreamzilla, we have opportunities for people to share what they know, explore new interests, and work alongside neurodivergent young adults. We believe everyone brings something valuable to the table. And everyone has something to learn.
I hope you'll take a look at our volunteer opportunities. You might discover a new interest, meet someone who changes your perspective, or find a community you didn't know you needed.
You never know where that gift of time might lead. It might even inspire someone else to spend a lifetime giving back.