Embracing the Volunteer State
My volunteer experiences...
have shown me that I want to spend my life working for disadvantaged communities. I still don't know exactly what I want to do just yet; but whether I work as a doctor, a lawyer, or a journalist, my work will be to benefit the people who often do not get a voice. I've seen firsthand the lack of resources for those who need them and the lack of a spotlight on those who need it. I want to be a part of providing those essential things for these people.
Some of My Experiences
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System VA
Over the summer of 2022, I volunteered at the VA for over 60 hours. In my time there, I started a national newsletter to recognize volunteers at the VA, acted as a volunteer ambassador to move patients, worked within the pharmacy, worked in the ENT clinic, and more. This experience taught me I could put my writing to use, representing voices that were often not heard. I also got to meet patients who were in need and understand the sacrifices everyone in the medical field makes on a day-to-day basis.
Y-Literacy Tutoring
From 10th to 12th grade, I tutored 8 students from disadvantaged parts of Metro Nashville in English. Each student improved anywhere from 2-6 Scholastic levels. In these tutoring sessions, we'd read books and take quizzes on the platform Raz Kids, and did an assessment at the end of the semester. All in all, I accumulated about 35 hours of volunteering - this experience showed me how important literacy is to communities, and what a gift it is to have it. It furthered my love for English and my want to serve disadvantaged communities even further.
Hope for Justice Volunteer Ambassador
During my junior and senior years, I've been working as a Volunteer Ambassador for Hope for Justice. It's an organization focusing on human trafficking awareness and fundraising, and I have helped to set up social media posts and packing events. This organization has taught me the importance of working for marginalized communities; every bit of help matters. And as an aspiring journalist, I've gotten to see that my work - writing about these communities and their struggles - would matter.
American Red Cross
With the Red Cross, I've gotten to work as a Blood Donor Ambassador, Disaster Responder, and Mass Care Team Shelter Member - and I've met so many patients and people in need. I want to do something for them in my future - I want to be able to help. Whether that's writing articles or becoming a doctor myself, my work has shown me the acute need for help in communities that are often overlooked and underappreciated by the government.