The Power of Volunteerism!

We live in an age of specialists. The notion that anyone can help and make a difference has unfortunately been too often lessened because of our hyper focus on specialists who have the education and training. Don’t misunderstand me, I do see the importance of training and education but too often this becomes a stumbling block for those who want to volunteer to help with at risk youth. I hear too often I’m not a teacher so how could I ever be a tutor, mentor or special friend?

The last couple of weeks I’ve had a few new volunteers who come in quietly and rock the world of some of my kids. These are the type of volunteers that change the world I live in because they don’t ask questions but just do it! Too often I get volunteers that are very well intentioned but get lost in the maze of asking too many questions that get them away from the simple task of making a friend with a little kid, teen or college student.

Our goal is to see ‘paying it back’ become a common mindset both among our youth and our volunteers. We have so much to be thankful about in our lives that is a byproduct of someone else sacrificing their time, talent and treasures for us. I want my kids and teens to see living examples of adults and college students who love to give and in the end they receive just as much as they have given. The difficulty is that we live in a day and age where ‘getting’ is so much more important than helping. We typically don’t do anything unless we see what’s in it for us.

I’m thankful for many new and old friends who are discovering the power of choosing to get involved and see the dividend of how your time will impact the life of an at risk youth that otherwise would be a statistic. So here’s a shout out to many like Ed, Laura, Shannon, Evie, Thad, Grace, Gary, Jenessa, Felicia, Nikki, Sandra, Megan, Melanie, Davina, Tiffiny, Taylor and the list would continue for pages. You have shown how one person can make a difference. My kids and teens are the better because of your choice to listen, learn about them and help them right where they live.