CaliforniaVolunteers.org Blog

My Backcountry Journey

2007-10-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

“What the hell am I doing here?” Collapsing onto a makeshift wooden table after a day spent hiking 20 miles and maintaining trail for 6 hours, this question flashed through my mind. Was it insanity that led me to abandon my friends, family, possessions and all those other comforts of home? Why did I seek to replace them with back-breaking labor, low-pay, and less than ideal living conditions?

Well, all of those questions are easy to answer. As I sit here gazing out at pristine Grizzly Lake with only one other person around for who knows how many miles, it’s not too difficult to reflect on the journey I’ve been on for the last four months.

I arrived at our first worksite on a hot late May afternoon. As an alternate, I had the challenge of joining a crew that already had spent a month bonding and learning the ropes. When I stepped out of that truck and hoisted my pack to my shoulder, I sure didn’t know what I’d gotten myself into. The first week passed in a blur. It was a flurry of introductions both to my fellow crew members and the way of life.

I slowly started to adapt. I was making friends and learning how to do work I hadn’t even known existed. I also faced adversity I was previously unexposed to. I’d never been in a situation where I had nowhere to run. If I was annoyed with someone or had a disagreement, the longest I could expect to avoid them was overnight. Living in such close proximity could be both a joy and an incredible burden.

Throughout the season things gradually shifted. We lost crew members due to various reasons. I grew closer to some and further from others. However, we were all held together by some incredible glue. In two short weeks when this is all said and done, I’m sure I’ll never speak another word to some of my crew mates. Others, I hope to maintain friendships with for at least the foreseeable future. Regardless of how my relationship with each person will continue, everyone has taught me something. It’s as if I’ve spent the last four months in a funhouse full of mirrors. Each crew member showed me a reflection altered by their individual characteristics.

I can’t say whether this program has been a life changing experience or not. I have no idea how I’ll shift back into a more “civilized” lifestyle. I know that I look forward to that challenge confidently armed with the lessons I’ve learned. This program gave back to me no more than I put into it. If you choose to embark on this adventure it will be the same for you.

No words could have prepared me for this experience. All I can say is expect hard work and rich memories. Don’t cheat yourself and you’ll have no regrets.

Tim Kilbourn
Inyo (Humboldt, Big Basin, Shasta-Trinity) Backcountry Trail Crew 2007

What the Backcountry Meant to Me

2007-10-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

What does the Backcountry Trails Program mean to me? I struggle for an answer to this question. I mean how can one formulate a proper explanation in regards to the rich experience of the Backcountry when presented with a broad inquiry of this sort? I fought for days attempting to articulate the significance of these last five months only to find that there was no simple way to explain it. Did the Backcountry Program transform me? I answer with a resounding yes – more than I ever could have imagined. In fact, the person I once was is hardly recognizable to me at this present moment. What within me was once a cynical indifference has now been replaced with an exuberant optimism and a relentless drive. What was once a life without aim has become one of clearly defined purpose. My experience has ignited an inextinguishable flame within my being; a powerful energy dwelling inside that has long laid dormant. Therefore, I can say with absolute certainty that I am indeed different because of this program, in that now my perception of this life and my position in it has drastically been altered for the better.

My story begins five months ago when I boarded the Amtrak train on a one-way ticket from Iowa to California. With a pack filled with what few possessions I did have, I set off into the unknown – far removed from all that I deemed secure and comfortable. I recall the anxiety I felt on that train ride, but more profound, I felt the rush of anticipation in knowing that a new chapter of my life was about to unfold. Looking out upon the passing countryside through my seat window, I became keenly aware that I was embarking on a journey that would define who I am. You see, prior to getting accepted to the Backcountry Trails Program I was a confused and troubled youth, struggling to find meaning and significance in the world. It seemed like every time I thought I had found some inkling of worldly truth – some definitive principle of reality – I would be surely let down upon discovering that my realization was false. I developed a nihilistic outlook in which eventually led to excessive drinking, dropping out of college, and a long list of other destructive behaviors. Of course, one can only sustain such a lifestyle for so long before hitting rock bottom. At perhaps my lowest point, I began to re-evaluate how I was living. After much contemplative introspection I decided that I was finished squandering my potential and that I must seek a challenge in which would test the very essence of my being in order to discover what I was truly made of. My search took me to the Backcountry Trails Program and I swiftly applied. Soon after I received notice that I had been accepted, and within several weeks, so began the experience I had hungered for.

Now the season is at its conclusion and I can only marvel at how amazingly life-changing it all has been. Throughout this season I have had moments of such violent clarity that my concept of what it means to be alive has drastically been redefined. This is how significant my summer has been. It is at those moments when I’m pushing my body through exhaustion and pain to reach the summit of a mountain peak that I achieve the sort of clarity that brings reality into focus. It is at these moments that I experience man’s potential to tap into an unlimited source of energy and strength in which allows him to overcome any obstacle. What I discovered was the essence of human greatness; mans noblest ability – the ability to take action; to harness the motive power of life; to establish a goal and then proceed on to achieve it. Each obstacle I have overcome this season has added to a source of constructive energy that is always available at my disposal, and of which I am eager to apply in the world outside of the backcountry. By possessing it, I feel no worldly force is capable of stopping me from being the best man I can possibly be.

Inner strength is not all I discovered within the Backcountry. Above I spoke of moments when I experienced profound clarity in reference purely to human potential, but in other moments I caught glimpses of something far grander. For fleeting instances I was able to witness and understand the connection between all things in nature. Staring up at the vastness of a star-filled sky or gazing upon the tranquility of a glimmering mountain brook, I would lose my sense of self and become aware of my inseparability with the natural world. It is at these instances that one becomes aware of his communion with the living reality. The feeling is utterly breathtaking. This understanding would have been nearly impossible for me amongst the hustle and bustle of city life, but within the Sierras all became clear. Life made sense.

I am forgetting perhaps the most critical component of what made my Backcountry season so special – my fellow crewmates. The season would have been far more difficult to endure if it was not for the diverse array of wonderful individuals I shared the Backcountry experience with. Never before have I felt such a strong sense of fellowship and love of community as I have felt here. The support and camaraderie of the crew offered me an image of how humans are supposed to co-exist. In these past five months I have forged unshakable friendships that shall endure a lifetime. Never will I forget the late night fireside chats, the frequent laughter and horseplay, or the words of encouragement offered to me. Never will I forget these faces.

The season is over, but I feel as if a new life has begun. A myriad of opportunities are within my grasp. I now have the tools for success at my disposal and I am eager to utilize them outside of the program. A bright pathway has opened before me and I am prepared to enter. I shall, hold fast to the knowledge I have obtained and to the wonderful memories I have collected. The Backcountry shall remain in my heart forever. Thank you to all those who made this possible.

Steven Jerome
Stanislaus Backcountry Trail Crew 2007

Backcountry Boyyyy!

2007-10-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Before joining the Backcountry Program I was attending college with several of my friends from high school, only an hour from home. I was majoring in Management and Finance at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. I chose to study business, with the notion that it was very practical and would lead me to a future of earning a lot of money. As my senior year progressed and I began interviewing for positions as account manager and loan salesman, my attitudes regarding my post-college plans began to change. Rather than working in a North-Eastern City surrounded by family and friends, I decided it would be beneficial to leave my comfort zone for once in my life.

The Backcountry appealed to me because I spent several summers working outdoors with my hands, and had loved them all. Also, I knew this would give me the opportunity to see an unfamiliar part of the country and to meet a new, diverse group of friends. My college life lacked diversity, and I thought that would be an integral part of my overall education and self growth. Lastly, I looked to the backcountry as a chance to get in shape and learn about living outdoors and backpacking. When I signed on with the Stanislaus crew I soon realized that my expectations of the program were different than the actualities of the Backcountry.

As time went on in the Backcountry, I began learning things about myself, and community that I could never learn through 4 years at a university. The initial realizations I discovered were that living in a tent without the comforts of home was much easier and more fun than I had expected. I began to appreciate the sky at night, the sounds of the woods, and waking up with the sun every morning. The next lesson to smack me in the face was how difficult it was to make a community grow together and stay healthy. Our crew was working around the clock doing chores and being there for each other. Just to get us through the summer. All the while I was making great friends and strengthening my personal work ethics. Looking back on the program, I realize how much I’ve changed and discovered in a few short months.

Most importantly, in my opinion, are the great friends I’ve made out here. I’ve learned to get along with and appreciate all shapes and sizes of people through living and working with them. I’ve learned what each individual must contribute to a community to make it strive. By taking personal accountability for things that need to get done, one person can really benefit the people around him. Before I came here, I thought I knew what hard work was, but the constant work done through this program has given me new insight into strengthening my own work ethic. I’ve set new standards for the challenges I take on in the future. I developed a self confidence by experiencing change and unfamiliarity.
Lastly, are the less significant lessons I’ve learned including simple camping and backpacking skills.

Through completing this program I’ve adopted an outlook which involves taking on challenges that I’m not use to. In the future I’ll be more likely to chase goals with more confidence. I’m more interested now in participating and working in jobs that appeal to me as exciting rather than jobs that will earn me money. I’m interested in more trail work, living in this environment, and more self building programs.
In conclusion this program will always be valued by me on a personal level. I will strive to take the lessons I’ve learned out here and spread them in the “real world”. I feel as though I’ve learned more about myself and life in general. I’d encourage anybody to take on the challenges of the Backcountry and to gain insight into life’s “bigger picture”.

Mike Butler
Stanislaus Backcountry Trail Crew 2007

From Ghana to Stanislaus

2007-10-22T13:21:00.000-07:00

This time last year I’d just returned from Ghana where I spent two months studying Ghanaian drumming and its significance on their culture. It was by far the greatest experience I’ve ever been fortunate enough to have. Being in Africa was an experience over stimulating to the senses, and not a day goes by where I don’t reflect on that unforgettable summer. Like most good things in life it took a few months before I was truly impacted by what I witnessed.

However, the high of traveling to a foreign land began to dwindle and I slowly assimilated to the post-graduate life I swore I would leave behind. I resumed my position bartending at the Greenhouse, a hip, trendy, jazz bar in a college town. What was expected of me was to go ahead and search for a professional job and a career path. I wasn’t yet ready to go the route most of my family and friends did. I instead kept bartending, working from 9pm to 4 am in the morning, feeling incomplete. I was growing completely dissatisfied standing behind the bar listening to young, educated, over priveledged kids spouting off about society and our declining status on the world stage. So, I began to contemplate a way out of the watered down reality I was living. I started to research the Peace Corp, an organization I’ve always dreamed of being a part of. Yet, as I was filling out the online application I began to doubt my qualifications to accomplish such a feat. My lifestyle consisted of staying up too late, drinking all night, eating too much and talking about change as if my words would single handedly change the world. Thankfully, as if fate was at work (I don’t believe in fate) my name was in an AmeriCorps database and I received an e-mail detailing the Backcountry experience. I researched the CCC and Backcountry Program and instantly knew it was ordained that I was to take on this challenge. In reality, little did I know that nothing could have prepared me for what I was getting myself into. I arrived in Sacramento at dusk, not completely sure that I’d made the right decision to join. As I was making my way down the escalator I noticed a little man with glasses, wearing a CCC uniform, staring directly at me and none other than Peter Lewis himself extended his hand to me and said, “Hello, Mark, you ready?” I thought to myself, “No turning back now”, and here I am, now; five months later writing about the next greatest summer of my life…still riding the crest of the wave.

I’ve been trying to articulate this Backcountry season’s true meaning to me and a character who came to Lumsden Campground came to mind. George the Boot Fairy came to visit our crew and he said something that evening that stuck with me all season. He said, “You never truly appreciate your breath until that inevitable day when you’re gasping for your last.” He also reminded us that we are all finite beings living in an infinite universe. I agree with George and thank him for his wisdom. There are no certainties in life and I needed that reminder. So many times in my life, back home, I get consumed by “me, me, me” and all of the small things that entails, which creates unnecessary stress and anxiety. You truly must live each day like there is no tomorrow because there is no guarantee that there will be. I would like to close this paragraph with another statement made by George. “Tomorrow when you wake up you will be the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” His brief discourse with us has helped to carry me this far, thanks.

I came into this program afraid. Afraid of what? I’m not really sure. Fear of failing in life, fear of letting people down, fear of a 9 to 5 trap. Finally receiving my BA frightened me more than it excited me. I felt like all eyes were on me, and I had to step out of the gray area and choose a path. I was having routine panic attacks about my future and nothing seemed to make sense, I was clouded by paranoia. I initially applied for the Backcountry Program to live in the wilderness and find inner peace, seek clarity. This program far exceeded those desires and it didn’t happen over night. I had to work hard for the new awareness I’ve achieved. I learned that nothing comes free, even self-discovery. I showed up to Placer Center super arrogant and displayed a polished inauthentic sense of confidence. With the help of my crew and my supervisor I began to untangle my over-coated web of insecurities. I’m in no way cured and I still have a lot of flaws but this season has provided me with a new, more reliable foundation, more conducive to positive growth.

Now that I can see the light and the season is waning I feel like screaming from a tall peak, which I did last weekend at Tower Peak. What I’m trying to say is I feel reborn in a sense, uplifted, and re-inspired. I’m excited about leaving this magical place because of my new found confidence. For the first time in a long time I feel capable. I’ve established a much stronger work ethic out here. Honestly, there’s just no way of getting around it, you must earn your keep to be a part of this Stanislaus crew. Our community living has many parallels with society at large. We are a microcosm of the greater community and must develop the same ingredients for success. It’s very easy to regurgitate all the words Peter Lewis put up on the board at Placer Center, but much more difficult to apply them. Before coming out here I was certain that the physical labor would be the most trying for me. I quickly learned that coexisting with fifteen other people was an ongoing challenge. There is no running away out here. It’s a must that you openly communicate and respect the views of the other.

I feel at times that discourse is a lost art form in our generation. We are raised to be narcissistic individuals incapable of doing any wrong. We are a generation who doesn’t like to talk to one another. We’d rather be distracted by our TV’s, ipods, and the almighty internet. It’s this disconnectiveness which made it difficult to function as a single community at first. Everyone must push aside egos and contribute in order for the community to subsist. Living out here in a tent for five months has given me a new appreciation of my African experience. I noticed that the Ghanaians worked so hard and earned very little, yet devoid of so many material things they all seemed so happy. As I sit here now it makes more sense to me. I’ve gone without half the things I had at home and I’m as happy as I’ve been in many years.

One of the greatest gifts the Backcountry has to offer is the scenery. The scenery alone helps you put things in perspective. I’ve been able to slowly re-prioritize what’s truly important to me in life. Such as my relationships with family and friends which I’ve taken for granted in years past. Living outdoors has reintroduced me to my fitness and health. I feel physically and mentally stronger than I have ever felt before. The biggest factor in all of this has been my sobriety. I can’t comfort myself with the abuse of alcohol out here. I’m not numb to the world anymore and it’s a great feeling to be awake again. The Backcountry offers way more than meets the eye and transformation is unavoidable.

Working hard and giving everyday my all has been a major part of my growth as well. I’ve been guilty of wanting success to fall in my lap before. Regardless of what career path I choose to take the Backcountry will always be in my blood, and as long as I stay disciplined and work hard I can achieve anything. So many times this summer I would stop and ask myself what it is I’m doing out here. I’m no trail worker, I don’t plan on doing this for a living. I’ve learned to set aside who I was before I came out here and embraced the task at hand. I believe, like my Ghana experience, the true payoff will be months, even years, after the season ends. The progress made will not be lost, I’ve worked too hard for it, and I plan to translate the lessons learned into my life beyond these mountains.

I have no definite answer to where I’ll go from here. I can only control what happens to me today. I no longer feel stricken with panic or fear. I feel more spiritually grounded and I’m leaving with a new sense of humility, that’s for sure. This program has helped me help myself and there isn’t a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be a strong candidate for the Peace Corps, if I so decide. I’m proud of myself for earning a degree but I’m even more proud of myself for earning self-respect and completing this Backcountry season. Needless to say, I’m pleased with the results and I like myself a little more now. Not to worry, I do understand there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and I was stripped of the latter this season…. Thanks for the attitude check.

Mark Martinez
Stanislaus Backcountry Trail Crew 2007

How The Backcountry Trail Crew Changed my Life

2007-10-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

When I was five, I was enrolled in a school for emotionally disturbed children. My mother took me to interview with the director of the school, a Freudian Psychoanalyst named Richard. He asked me if I understood why I was going to go to this school as opposed to the local Kindergarten. My reply was such: that I was like a broken boat, and that this school (Cheerful Helpers) was going to fix me. I talked with Richard for a little longer, and drew him a picture of myself as a broken boat. He told my mother that I was one of the brightest children he had ever met.

This painful dichotomy has followed me all of my life: the bright, beautiful, broken one. I’ve felt paralyzed, wrapped so tightly in the belief that not only was I broken, in need of fixing, but that my beauty as a person, what made me special, was dependent on this broken state. I spent so long wallowing in this powerful sink hole of a belief. I really thought I was incapable of living a productive life.

Shortly after being enrolled in that school for emotionally disturbed children, I was formally diagnosed with depression and put on anti-depressants. I remained on some form of medication until two months ago, during my time as a Corpsmember in the CCC Backcountry Trails Program. I had been with my crew about three months, and we had just moved to our last camp 14 miles in to the Emigrant Wilderness, when I decided to quit my medication. Miles from the electric beat of city life, I went through a few days of withdrawal, during which I carried a strange metallic taste in my mouth, and a frothy layer of fatigue that seemed to echo from somewhere far away, riding on top of the more deeply seated exhaustion I had hard won from confronting the daily trials of Backcountry life. Then fluidly, without seam or skip I found myself off of medication, still engrossed in the work and life of a Backcountry Corpsmember, still exhausted from work taken on with all attention and physical strength available, still delighting in the simple laughter laced interchanges between myself and my crew, and most importantly, still intact. I didn’t fall apart.

I’ve struggled in this program. Simply put, it’s hard. It demands the best of you. A core of strength and resolve sits in the belly of every person in my Backcountry community. We don’t take sick days here. We have become familiar with our own innate indestructibility. The confidence won from pushing past comfort zones, past perceived breaking points, and coming through if not stronger, if even just being still intact, is an immeasurable boon to a person’s potential for living. Now that I know I won’t fall apart, I am free to do anything.

As I write this, I am looking out over the mirrored surface of Emigrant Lake, my backcountry home. It is the last Sunday of the season, and the clouds today are slow almost still overhead. I am surrounded by my fellow crew members: my family, my support network, my dearly held friends. I feel more confidence now, sitting here under the ever changing, ever present sky, than I ever have in my life. I feel loved and appreciated for who I am by my crew. I feel the strength and goodness of my body. I feel the results of all the efforts I have put into my season as a Backcountry Trail Worker. I don’t feel broken.

Kathleen Callow
Stanislaus Backcountry Trail Crew 2007

My Backcountry Trail Crew Experience

2007-10-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

My journey to the Backcountry began long before I ever stepped foot into the California Wilderness. It started with a search; a search for adventure, hard work, and a challenge. For the past year I had been working as an exercise specialist at a physical therapy clinic in Florida. While I enjoy interacting with patients and playing a key role in their rehabilitation, at the same time I knew I was not being challenged to my full potential. I decided I was ready for a change, and so began my search for a new job.

My quest for the perfect summer job began in the month of February. I started by plugging the phrase “outdoor summer jobs” into a search engine on the internet. Once I narrowed my interest down to a job involving conservation/trail work I started filling out applications to Conservation Corps across the country. Although I was most interested in the California Conservation Corps Backcountry Program, I wanted to keep my options open in case I wasn’t chosen.

Long story short I was chosen, and on April 16, 2007 I was on my way to California. I arrived, after 12 hours of flying, in Arcata to be greeted by Peter Martinez, my supervisor. I was nervous and excited and tired all at the same time. Would I get along with the people on my crew? Would I fit in? Could I make it five and a half months without daily contact with my family? These were just a few thoughts running through my head.

It’s five and a half months later now, and I’m sitting on the porch of my cabin at Debriefing. The past months have been without a doubt the greatest challenge and reward of my life. There were times when all I wanted was to give up and go home. There were times when I wanted to sleep in till 10:00am There were times when everyone around drove me half mad till I was ready to scream. But there were many more times when I laughed with my crew. Times when I looked at the work I had completed and felt proud at what I was able to accomplish. Times when I hiked eight miles easily and felt strong.

With time spent in the Backcountry comes new found skills and strengths. Like how to live in congruity with the environment, how to start a fire at 3:30 in the morning, and how to make cowboy coffee. Some of the skills I learned I may never use again, while other things I have learned will help to guide me to success in future endeavors.

Out of all I have learned this season the most important is to always persevere; whether it be hiking to work, brushing the trail, or just the daily grind of camp life. If you never give up and always strive for your best, then you will be sure to succeed not only in the Backcountry but also in life. It has been a great season, and I know the memories will last a life time.

Amanda Godwin
Inyo (Humboldt, Big Basin, Shasta-Trinity) Backcountry Trail Crew 2007

Volunteering

2007-10-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

Many of the people who live in and around Danville, including myself , tend to forget just how good we have it. We live in a beautiful neighborhood that is safe and has great schools and people. But step outside Danville, and you will see just how different other places are. I know that I often take for granted all the opportunities I have because of the place and situation I live in. Many people are not as lucky as I am. They do not have half the things that I do, and are not able to enjoy a lot of luxuries that I tend to forget. Realizing this, I, along with the other members of the Youth Action Council, decided to do something to help those that are not as lucky as we are. We decided to take some children from Concord to a football game. Most of the residents in Danville have been to at least one football game, so it was a shock for me and the rest of council to hear that many of the elementary school children in Concord had never been to a football game. We wanted to do something different that enabled the children to have fun and experience something that they had never done before. So, we rounded up a group of children that attend daycare at an elementary school in Concord. The advisor of our council was able to get free tickets and transportation to a Cal Berkeley football game. On Saturday, October 7, 2006, all of us at the Youth Action Council met at the Concord Bart station, not really knowing what to expect. Personally, I wanted this thing to work. i wanted the kids to enjoy themselves and gain an experience that they never had before . I wanted to be able to connect with the children, and make them feel comfortable even though they would be with people that they had never met before in their lives. I wanted them to remember this day just in case they never got the opportunity to do something like this again.

The children were dropped off at the Bart station by their parents. As strange as it sounds, I could immediately tell that these children lived lives that were very different from my own; not all of their parents owned cars, and for many of them, English was not their first language. I took a deep breath when I saw them walk up to us, and crossed my fingers; I hoped that the day would go well. Each of the council members were paired up with one of the children. My partner was Esperanza, she was ten years old, and in the fourth grade. She seemed very withdrawn; when I tried to talk to her she always spoke very softly and said as little as possible. I tried to make conversation during the bus ride to the UC Berkeley Memorial Stadium. I just wanted her to open to me and feel comfortable around me, because we would be spending the entire day together. To my surprise, when we got of the bus at the entrance of the stadium, and were bombarded by floods of people, Esperanza grabbed my hand. She must have felt a little uneasy in a place that she had never been before, and did not want to get lost so far away from home. It was nice to see her warm up to me, and it made me feel more confident that our day would turn out better than I had initially expected.

As we entered the stadium Esperanza marveled at how huge the football stadium was.She pointed at all the seats and the hundreds of steps that led down to the field. While the Cal Bears battled the Oregon Ducks, Esperanza opened up to me; she told me about her school and how she lived with her mother and younger sister. I told her about myself and I could tell she was intrigued about the life I lived and what my family was like.

The football game ended, and Esperanza held my hand all the way back to the bus. On our way home, she asked if she could give me her phone number, and that maybe I could call her sometime to talk. She said "if you call and my mom answers the phone in Spanish, just tell her you're calling for me." I was so delighted, what she said made me feel that our day had made a difference to her. When we returned to the Concord Bus Station, I said goodbye to Esperanza and watched her walk away with her mother. I heard her mother ask if she had fun, and her reply made me feel a true sense of accomplishment. "Mom, it was so cool, I saw a real football game and I made a new friend".

As I reflect on my experience that day with Esperanza, I feel happy. My original goal was to expose children to something they had never experienced before, the outcome far surpassed my expectations. I never expected a child that I had never met to hold my hand and tell me about her life. All I had expected was for children to go see a football game, but what happened was so much more. I had the privilege of connecting with these children and learn about them. Doing this for the children not only helped them, but helped me too. This single volunteering experience is the reason why I choose to volunteer. Helping others can provide you with a feeling of completeness that no other activity can provide. The sensation you get from volunteering not only has an effect on others but can greatly affect you as well, and that is the reason why i continue to volunteer.

Kyvn Saiidnia
Danville, CA

Look Good....Feel Better

2007-10-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

My hands shook as I held the phone, my thoughts were racing, my mind was trying to process the information, "your biopsy revealed breast cancer."

Good helath, no family history of breat cancer, physically fit, happily married for more than 30 years, I had checked the "C" word off my list of possible bad things to happen to me. Finding that lump changed my direction and got my immediate attention. Now the reality of the word "cancer" started to choke off my airway. I would not let myself indulge in the "what ifs?" and "if only's" that threatened to undo my resolve to conquer the intruder. I now faced the gamut: Round one-surgery the day before Thanksgiving, Round two-three months of chemotherapy starting the day after Christmas, Round three-twenty five days of radiation.

A ray of hope came when I found out about Look Good...Feel Better at my local American Cancer Society. After the second week of chemo, my hair had fallen out and I needed help. What a wonderful experience it was for me to attend my forst Look Good...Feel Better session. After a warm welcome and sharing time we opened our own free kit of cosmetics, donated by the cosmetic industry. The 12 step hands on approach was enlightening. I learned how to recreate my lost eyebrows and where to properly apply blush to give color to my pale face and how to find support groups and where to find a wig. To my surprise, I found lots of wigs...and they were free! A new "wig room" had just opened at the ACS and that's where I found just the wig i needed. Not only wigs, but scraves, caps, and turnbans were provided free of charge.

One of the best outcomes of my cancer experience had been to be a volunteer coordinator of the local Look Good...Feel Better program, right here in Napa Valley. It is available to any female cancer patient. the staisfaction and reward continues to be found in helping other ladies better cope with the ravages of chemotherapy and radiation. After tears and hugs, I've been told, "it gives me hope to see o looking good as a 5 year survivor". In August I watched as a personal friend in the midst of chemotherapy, came to the session.She shared about her truying time of dealing with the uncertainty, as it was her second time to go through treatment, and about wanting to be there to raise her two young girls. After watching the six minute video, "Voices and Faces of Look Good..Feel Better", she opened her bag of free cosmetics and opened the booklet showing the twelce basic steps to complete facial skin care and makeup. She learned how the techniques can enhance good features and help camoflage unwanted, and almost always temporary, appearance changes resulting from chemotherapyand radiation treatments. She sstarted sharing a personal story about her daughter and tears welled up in her eyes. As the emotion passed, she again started applyng the makeup and started relaxing and soon a happy smile lit up her face. "I can do this" she remarked as her confidence started to return. "Your hair will grow back," another lady exclaimed as she took of her wig and ran her fingers through the newly grown fuzz on her head. "I used to have beautiful long eyelashes" lamented another cancer patient. "They will grow back" assured the volunteer cosmetologist. Another lady shared, "my husband and I were out dancing on our cruise and as I dipped under his arm my wig caught his sleeve and flew to the floor, I just reached down and nonchalantly picked it off the floor and returned it to my scalp and continued on to finish the dance". immediately the somber mood in the room lifted and rounds of laughter broke out. After hugs and goodbyes all around, my friend smiled at me and said "thank you". The heart-felt gratitude of the moment stayed with me throughout the day. What greater staisfaction can be found!

Darlene Jones
Napa, CA

Hospice

2007-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

I am taking a leap here and I am not going to tell you about a volunteer experience. Instead, I would like to inform you of the amazing people in this world. On a regular basis (multiple times per week), I visit hospice patients. Now if you dont know what hospice is, you are not alone. It is actually a field of medicine for those who are terminally ill-basically people who are dying. One might assume, incorrectly, that these patients are bitter or negative. on the contrary, all who I have encountered inspire me to live a more true life. Sometimes they tell me abou their youth, or we play games like dominoes, or I may sing and play music for them. Other times, I read to them or they sleep while I hold their hand. These people are often forgotten or overlooked, even by their own family member. I feel so blessed to have the honor of learning from them and sharing in part of their lives. I love finding the good in people; God works in magnificent ways!

And the way the caretakers interact with the patients! I respect them so much for dedicating their lives to this, a 24/7 job, to caring for others. It is truly incredible how much love and selflessness they have. One of my friends who is a caregiver calls all of her femal patients "mother". Another paints the nails of her patients weekly. Another hugs anyone who enters the house (even before we had been introduced!) and I have never seen her without a smile on her face.

The bonds that I have grown to share woth some of my patients astound me. My first patient, I will never forget, was actually my chemistry teacher's 102 year old grandmother. Her caregiver called her "Miss Madge." When I first met her, she asked me what I was doing there. I responded that I wanted to spend some time with her. She proceeded to ask me why I would want to do that. It was not until later that I could understand the full gravity of that question. For a numbe rof months , I would vist Miss madge and we would play games, sing songs, and tell stories. Slowly, she showed signs of deterioration. She would not recognize me, she would forget how to play dominoes, her favorite game, and she would grow too tired to sing with me. She began to whither away physically and mentally. It was unbelievably hard to endure. Every week, my chemistry teacher and I would discuss what we were doing, and what more we could do for her. One day, I went to visit her, and my teacher was there. I instantly knew that she would soon be no more than a memory on this planet, but a spirit unleased in heaven, a soul unbound from her crippling diseases. We remained there for hours. We read Scripture. We prayed. We sang. We sat in each others' presences. She passed away that day. When I saw my chemistry teacher in class, he gave me an engulfing hug, and we began to cry. I then realized why I do what I do. This is what god calls me to do. To serve. To give of self. To care. To love. It was extremely difficult at first, but I visited my teacher's house a few times, and attended Miss Madge's "Celebration of Life". And I realized that its not about "volunteering." It's not about the disease. It's not even about the patients.

It's all about the people. They were people long before they were patients. They are fellow children of God. I believe that my purpose in life is to know, to love, and to serve the Lord. I seek to glorify Him in all that I do. Because "God is Love" (1 John 4:8), i desire to share His infinite love with all I encounter. I serve Him through others, for I see Jesus in the dying and the helpless. do all things out of love, serve as Christ serves and the Lord will "bless and keep you..His face will shine upon you, and be gracious, and give you peace" (Prayer of St. Francis).

Hannah Boggeln
Temecula, CA

From The Heart

2007-10-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

The beauty of volunteering is that the motivation to become involved comes from the heart: we volunteer because we want to, not because we have to. Donating my time gives me the opportunity to lighten someone's work load, but it also opens the door to the possibility of touching somebody's life with a simple act of kindness. I've discovered that something magical happens when compassion is shared with someone in need, and at the end of the day, the reward is a deep personal satisfaction that is priceless.

I have worked in the medical field for most of my career, so volunteering in a hospital setting was a natural transition when i retired. For the past ten years I have been a volunteer in the Newborn Nursery in the Maternity Ward at our local hospital. I love babies and watching the drama and miracle of a new life coming into the world never ceases to amaze me. Being able to share the experience with the parents is also a joy, but when i personally take care of the babies: feeding, changing, rocking, and cuddling, it really makes my day!

But for all the joy that comes into the Maternity Ward, sometimes there are serious complications that cause anxiety, fear, and the unbearable pain of losing a baby.

Not long ago, a young mother delivered a tiny premature stillborn infant. Hysterical with grief, she refused to hold or even look at her baby. The father, equally distressed, stood by helplessly. the nurse brought the baby into the nursery where it was gently bathed, wrapped, and placed in a small room to wait until her parents wwould be able to make arrangements for her.

later that afternoon, the baby's father came to the nursery with a priest to administer a blessing. the priest quickly performed his duty and departed without even looking at the baby, bu the broken hearted father stayed behind. Sensing his pain, I gently put my arms around him and we wept together over the loss of his little girl.

When he finally pulled away, he told me that his wife was to upset to look at the baby, but he asked me if he could see her. I had never seen such a tiny baby and she was so beautiful! We were both overwhelmed by her miniature perfection as we examined her tiny hands, feathery eyelashes, and rosebud mouth. When I asked him if he would like to hold her, a smile lit up his tear soaked face. I placed her in his arms and told him he could hold her in the rocking chair for as long as he wanted to. When he was finally ready to return to his wife's room, he gave me a hug and thanked me again and again for helping him say goodbye to his baby.

Every once in a while, volunteering opens a little door to your heart and uses you in a way you never imagined possible. What can be more satisfying than that?

Maria Sears
Valencia, CA

Volunteering at Sunshine Villa

2007-10-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

It was my first day as a volunteer artist at the beautiful assisted living facility near the ocean in Santa Cruz. As I eased my car into the parking lot, I thought about my first lesson. Cezanne would be our inspiration in painting a single tree. As I was escorted down the hallway, an elderly woman was walking with the help of a walker, she panted as she said adamantly, "I can't paint, I can't paint at all, I only paint between the lines of a picture, I can't do this, I don't want to go". I assured her that she was more than welcoime to paint in her coloring book or sit and watch the activities. As the senior residents slowly took a seat around the table I filled the spacious activity room with lots of impressionistic jargon about foreground, mid ground, and back ground, and which was lightest to darkest. I presented my own painting as an example of my enthusiasm and love of painting started to become contagious. Janet was enthralled and enjoyed painting immensely. As I turned around, I noticed how everyone had their own style and interpretation of the assignment.

It's about nine months later and I marvel at the artistic ability of these 10 to 15 seniors. I have taken them to higher levels of artistic expression and they do phenomenal work. They have come a long way. In the beginining if I had presented table salt as an ingredient in a painting they would have been skeptical. Now, when i offered them salt to create minute dots on red apples, all hands shot up. Most recently, I presented a bouquet of several sunflowers. I told them that we are going to new heights of 3D art. As they looked curiously at me, I described the procedure: "We will do a still life of 2 flowers painted on the paper, then we will paint another flower on a sepaerate piece of paper. After cutting out the third flower we'll glue it into our still life. Two flowers will be on the page and one will come out form the page". Linda, a wonderful artist painted glorious sunflowers in an exquisite Mediterranean vase. As she finished her masterpiece she looked up at me with an expression that seemed to say, "you want me to what with what?" At the risk of ruining her gorgeous still life, she dutifully painted and cut out a third flower which she glued, stem and all, into her painting. The effect was breathtaking. In fact, I borrowed it, took it home and displayed it in a prominent place all week long.

Art brings people together in a very positive way. Janet and the other artists at Sunshine Villa hug me and shake my hand as they leave for lunch after art class. There is something tremendously rewarding about creating something so individual as your own painting. I display their work continually in several beautiful display cases in the Activity Room. Their artisitic abilities have really improved. To make selections for a local art show it was very easy for me to put aside contributions from our group. A field trip is already planned for them to come and see the exhibit. Janet and the others will see their stunning work in public. As for the new residents that enter the activity room for the first time, one of the greates rewards for me is to hear a man named Max ask, "Can I come back after lunch and finish this?"

Margaret Fairchild
Capitola, CA

Volunteering wasn't always part of my life...

2007-10-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

I am a volunteer for Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa, CA. CCI is a national nonprofit whose mission it is to enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and on-going support to ensure quality partnerships.

Becoming a volunteer for me started in late December 2003, when a close friend died suddenly while on duty as a flight nurse when the medical helicopter she was in crashed while transporting a patient to a hospital. She was a person who was always ready to help others. At the time of her death, she was a volunteer Breeder Caretaker for CI and had a five day old litter of puppies at her house. I wanted to do something to honor her, so my husbnd and I applied for a female breeder dog from CCI. Our application was approved and we brought our dog, IIMAN, home with us on the one month annivarsary for Diane's death. Caretaking a breeder is huge responsibility and I was having many doubts in my ability to take this on. When I relaized what day it was, I knew that IIMAN becoming a member of our family was meant to be and it was a healing moment for me in dealing with my loss over Diane.

The job of a volunteer breeder caretaker is to house and care for a male or female breeder for Canine Companions for Independence. In our case, having a female meant we would also be providing care during pregnancy and whelping (delivering) a litter of puppies in our house and caring for them during the first eight weeks of their lives. True, it is easy to fall in love with puppies and their puppy breath, but there are things that can go wrong and sometimes we lose a puppy. I have learned how give injections, resuccitate a newborn pup, help in the weaning process and how to say goodbye to "our babies". At eight weeks of age, the puppies are sent to volunteer puppy raisers around the nation until the age of 15-18 months, when they return to one of five regional CCI centers for formal training and hopefully placement as a certifed assistance dog.

When I brought Imman home, I figured I would "just" be a breeder caretaker and that would the extent of my voluneer involement with CCI. After all, I was a working mother of a pre-teen age daughter and didn't have time for anything else, right? I was so wrong! Slowly, I became more involved with the many different aspects of volunteerng for CCI. I volunteerd one day a week for two years in the kennels providing day to day care for the breder dogs and the puppies, I serve lunch to disabled people who come to CCI for their two weeks of Team Training with their newly partnered canine companion, I have gone to schools and talked to young childen and teenagers about people with disabilities and how a dog can help them.

It became apparent that I wanted t do more and more for CCI. Why? Becasue I believe in their mission and I truly enjoy meeting the children and adults that they serve. I have developed strong bonds with people who have graduated and now are partnered with a dog that I helped bring into the world. To witness how a dog can change someone's life is truly magical. This never would have happened without the help of Imman. I witnessed how one beautiful yellow dog with big brown eyes could be the reason for new friendships that I treasure, help strangers strike up a conversation, bring a smile to a non-verbal child's face or be by my side when she instinctively knew I needed comfort.

My husband and I were talking recently about what our life "wasn't" before CCI...it wasn't volunteering in our community or helping those that need us to give more of ourselves and it wasn't having a complete understanding of unconditional love and the desire to continually do more for CCI, their dogs and wonderful people that benefit from their services. Our family has developed a passion for helping the disabled that will continue to grow.

www.cci.org

Maureen Butler
Santa Rosa, CA

Volunteering at Dorothy’s Place

2007-10-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

My volunteer experience is about my summer stay to Dorothy’s Place. During our break, I went with my cousins and my Aunt Sarah, my mom and my sister to spend four days there. Dorthy’s Place is in Salinas, California on Soledad Street. At Dorothy’s homeless people can get good food for free. We helped get ready for lunch-- to make sandwichs and the main course. It was fun making sandwiches because we took a huge bowl and filled it with peanut butter and jelly, then we put the mixture on a piece of bread and I would pass it to my cousin Allyson. She would put on another piece of bread and then put them in bags. We made hundreds of sandwiches for people to take for dinner.

Another job I liked to do was work in the garden. We would get to mix a sort of adobe for a wall they were building around the garden. Then we would water the strawberries. There was a man named Terry who worked in the garden who was nice but he seemed to annoy the other helpers in the garden. He was a sort of preacher who talked in quotes. My favorite one was “It’s not a crime to be fine.”

Before our stay at Dorothy’s I really didn’t want to go. I thought it was the people’s fault that they ended up there. But then some of the workers told me stories about some of the people who came to eat there. I started to realize that some of it was not their fault. One girl had been abandoned, others were orphans. I felt very grateful for what I had. On our second day, we made dinner for the women who spend the night there. There was one lady who seemed like an outsider—she had been living with her husband and her daughter. Then she got divorced and lost everything. She told us stories about her daughter that made me sad.

What I learned about volunteering is that there are many ways to help your community. For instances, some things my family does includes planting trees in parks, beach clean ups, playing music for elderly people, work day at my school. My experience at Dorothy’s inspired me to want to do more for the less fortunate in our community. Helping people in need helps them and it can be fun. Everybody needs love and I have plenty to share!

Cedric Coly
Monterey, CA

A Purrrfect Volunteer

2007-10-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

The word “retirement” can insight various feelings in people. In 2004 I decided to retire from teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. The joy of sitting in my pajamas leisurely sipping a cup of coffee in the morning instead of facing a group of teenagers at 7:30 a.m. sounded wonderful; however, teaching had been my passion since I was in sixth grade. I am a people-person, so what would I do with my life in retirement?

As my retirement was looming before me, my aging father became ill. I brought our cat to see her “Grandpa” and was surprised at all the people in his nursing home who wanted to pet the cat! My husband and I adopted a two-year old calico cat from a local animal shelter. The cat had been abandoned, so we do not know her history, but this cat loves humans – the older the better. We named her Moorea.

An article in our local paper announced a new chapter of Love on a Leash was looking for volunteers. Love on a Leash is a pet-provided non-charitable volunteer organization. Moorea and I signed up and started our training and became the first cat-human team in our chapter. Not too many felines care to be seen wearing a harness and walking on a leash. We made weekly visits to several health care centers. Oh, the smiles Moorea brought to the faces of the residents there. Monday afternoons became the highlight of our week. Many usually quiet people would talk at length about special pets they had in their youth. One woman was from Germany and had no relatives nearby. She called Moorea “my little mitzie” and “my loyal friend.” This woman passed away, but Moorea continued wanting to go in her room. They had a close bond. I would tell my husband how wonderful it was to share the joy of seeing smiles on weak elderly people’s faces and my husband would nod and say, “That’s nice, dear.”

One Sunday our church bulletin announced that The Elizabeth Hospice needed pet-therapy volunteers, so Moorea and I signed up. Now in addition to our various weekly visits, we would receive requests for visits to hospice patients who, in their last days, desired a cuddle and some purrs from a cat. Often adult children knew that their parent would appreciate such a visit. On occasion I had seen Moorea’s presence cause magical reactions from people. Elderly residents with very little affect would unfurl a clutched hand to pet the cat’s fur, for example. But one experience stays most clearly in my mind.

A social worker from The Elizabeth Hospice saw me in a facility and asked if I would stop by the room of one of her patients. This woman was dying and had very little response to anything. I went to the woman’s room and put Moorea next to her in her bed. I brought the woman’s hand to the fur on Moorea’s head. The woman opened her eyes, put her head up a bit so she could see the cat, and tried to vocalize! I thought the social worker was going to faint! Moorea and I were able to visit this woman two more times before she passed away. What a blessing to be able to bring a few moments of pleasure to this woman! I told my husband about the experience and he said, “Wow, that’s nice dear.” Then two years later my husband retired from teaching. One day he decided to accompany Moorea and me on our weekly visit to one of our health care facilities. He witnessed the smiles and shining eyes of the elderly residents as they petted and talked to our cat. My husband accompanied me the next week and he began to feel the magic that a little cat on a leash can bring.

My husband went through the Love on a Leash training. He is now a certified member of both Love on a Leash and The Elizabeth Hospice. He is also a patient-companion for The Elizabeth Hospice and recently we both went through training together to become Hospice Last Watch volunteers. It is such a gift to be present when a person takes his/her last breath. Sometimes the dying person has no one to be with them and sometimes the family members need a break from the long watch. When I started volunteering with hospice I would have never dreamed I would be lead to this type of volunteer work. I’ve learned so much from all the individuals and situations with hospice.

Are you looking for a way to share with others as you learn and grow yourself? I encourage people of all ages to find a way to share themselves through volunteering. Once you find it, share with others the joy you have found. Imagine how much better our world would be if everyone tithed at least one hour of his or her week to volunteering. And being a Baby Boomer, I know our generation still harbors a passion for change in our world – let’s do it by sharing our time, talents, and selves through volunteering.

Nancy Denen
San Diego, CA

Frank and Jackie Lopez

2007-10-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

If I may, I’d like to tell you about a very special couple making a significant positive contribution to the Kern County community.

Frank & Jackie Lopez have been volunteering for the Volunteer Center of Kern County since 1999. They especially stand out as exemplary volunteers with our BINGO group every week. This couple has given so many hours of their personal time to this important fundraiser for our Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). BINGO is just one of the many places they donate their time in Kern County. They deeply enrich the lives of others by their humble and generous spirit of service. It seems every where I go, they are working quietly and kindly to help others in our community.

Frank and Jackie have become special friends and been of significant importance in my personal life as well; praying and encouraging me through family issues and offering spiritual guidance. They have overcome personal tragedy and health issues with dignity and grace that others can only aspire to emulate.

This loving couple also look after shut-ins, making sure they have food and receive medical attention, often at their own expense. They also prepare wonderful meals to share with those in need, as well as family and friends. Jackie’s meals are more enjoyable because they are seasoned with love and prayer. Frank also volunteers at the Kern County Court House.

Because of Frank and Jackie’s dedication to community service, I have been inspired to follow their example and have strengthened my resolve to take a larger role in our local community.

I can't think of another couple more deserving of being rewarded for their generosity and dedication. Frank and Jackie really exemplify the spirit of volunteerism as a means of fostering increased citizen involvement in the community and enabling public and non profit agencies to enhance or maintain needed human services.

Lynnette Bailey
Bakersfield, CA

Our Community Garden

2007-10-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

Doing volunteer work was one of the best things I have ever done in my entire life. My school decided to help senior citizens in our community by building them a beautiful garden complete with benches, trees, flowers, and even some vegetables. We first raised money for the project by having a fair at our school. The fair was really successful. In fact, we raised more money than we needed. We were able to buy all the supplies necessary for the garden. We began our project, which lasted a couple of weeks.

At first I didn’t like doing the work because it was really hard and we were sweating like crazy. Also, I questioned why we were doing the project at all when it was just for a bunch of old people. After a few weeks, I was thinking that this was pretty entertaining. We were actually having fun working together. At about the same time, we began to see our work pay off. Suddenly, the old vacant lot came to life. The flowers began to bloom and the surroundings became beautiful.

After a couple of weeks, with the garden flourishing, I began to feel proud of all we had created. I noticed snails among the vegetables, birds in the young trees, and insects buzzing around. Our desert was becoming a land of life. I realized that I was developing friendships with the people I had believed that I would have never become friends with. All of us involved in the project felt, for the first time, that we were actually making a difference.

We had a ceremony presenting our garden to the senior citizens in our community. At first the old people were surprised and disbelieving that we, young people, would spend time and effort just for them. I noticed this one elderly woman hugging young kids, crying and saying, “You kids are now my only family that I have left in this world.” This kind of made me cry. I realized what impact even children can have when they work together for the whole community.

Jaskirat Brar
Hughson, CA

How Pacheco The Sea Lion Changed My Life

2007-10-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

I was raised by first generation Americans who grew up very poor. Their goals were to make sure their children had choices in life and that we should care about helping others to have choices too. Once I became a lawyer with my own income, I thought I was being true to those lessons by donating money to charitable causes that helped animals and underprivileged children. And I did that for years.

But in 2002, when I was 42 years old, that all changed. I was walking on the beach with a friend in Northern California and we came across a sea lion far up the beach that was allowing people to approach and touch him. Even I knew that was unusual. From a distance, I could see that the sea lion had a fish hook in his jaw that was ripping his mouth. It was obvious that he could not eat and without help, would starve to death. It broke my heart.

Even more disturbing was the way in which some of the people treated him. They were posing for pictures and petting him, and letting their dogs bark at him. He was terrified but wasn't well enough to move more than a few feet away with each effort.

I had long been a financial supporter of the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito and called them immediately. It would take several hours for the rescuers to arrive and I knew someone had to stay with him or he could eventually be scared into the water by people and dogs. So I stayed. I created a 50 foot clearance around him and kept people and dogs at bay the best I could. My friend stayed too but because she had her dog, she kept a safer distance. A few beach combers with their dogs decided that I didn’t have any authority to keep them away and tried to approach him. I was shocked at how many, even those with good intentions, let their own curiosity override concern about the animal.

Every time someone got close or a dog wandered near, the animal tried to get to the water. But I forced myself between the animal and everyone else with hopes I could keep him calm until the rescuers came. I had a few uncomfortable confrontations but I was determined. In the end, I convinced most everyone to move away and some of the others who saw what I was doing began pitched in too.

Within three hours, the sea lion started having seizures. It was terrifying. I couldn't see any blood or obvious injury (other than the fish hook) but this animal was clearly in trouble. My heart was sinking. After five hours, the rescuers arrived and they took him away.

The next day, I went to the center to check on him. It turned out that the animal had a tag and had been treated at the center before. His name was Pacheco. The center operated that morning and discovered he had been shot full of buckshot. That’s what caused the seizures. Unfortunately, there was too much damage to save Pacheco and he died. I was crushed.

Thinking about that regal animal on the beach, I realized that his prior treatment at the center was probably why he initially stranded himself so close to people. I choose to believe that he stranded near people because he “remembered” being fed, cared for and released by humans the last time. The sad part is how we all let him down. Not only did humans cause his death, but his last hours on the beach were spent being terrified, even by well intentioned people.

Pacheco’s death had a profound impact on me. How could someone shoot him? Then the center told me that about 15 – 20% of the animals they treat have human inflicted injuries, whick outraged me even more. And I could not comprehend the people who thought it was okay to pose with him for pictures and let their dogs harass him.

Because of Pacheco, I decided to do more than give money. I wanted to “make up for” his awful ending. Within a few months, I became a volunteer at the center and have spent the last five years providing hands-on care. It is the most rewarding and important work I have done in my life. And even though some of the animals don’t make it back to the wild, I know that the hundreds of committed volunteers and the center’s staff are doing everything they can to make a difference. After all, for the animals that come to us sick and diseased, we have a lot to learn about how their illnesses are linked to the health of the oceans and the human condition. And the center is involved in research to try to find out more about those links.

In the past five years, I have personally helped save hundreds of marine mammals. And we continue to hear about their progress as they are sighted along the coast. Many have returned to the rookeries to breed and their offspring are thriving because of the work we did. I still give money to a variety of causes. But I consider it a true privilege to work with the animals and experience Mother Nature so up close and personal. And while I don’t know how long I will be able do the hands on work, my life has been enriched forever.
I also have been able to share my passion with friends and family who eagerly listen to my stories about the animals. Several have come to work with me and pitched in. And many of them have been inspired by a combination of their own desires and the stories I tell to commit to their own volunteer endeavors. The moral is that by doing volunteer work, you help the beneficiaries of the organizations you support and you may inspire others to help too. There is no better reward.

Barrie Gross

San Francisco, CA

Found it! Doing it! Sharing it! Loving it!

2007-10-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

About 8 years ago I found it. Within the year I did it and in now I would like to share it. But first, with your permission, I am going to change the title of my story to: “Find it! Do it! Share it!” as that’s just how Keris is – exuberant and yes even some say charismatic.

When I moved to California, I was initially engrossed in work, attending graduate school and just trying to make it through every day. On one of those days, a girlfriend exclaimed: “Hey Keris, we are going to Disneyland for our birthdays – just us grown-up girls!” You see our birthdays fell within days of each other and she noticed that I was not my cheery self. What better place to go when you’re feeling down but to the happiest place on earth! What a worse place to be when you realize you are the saddest person at the happiest place on earth!

It was shortly thereafter that I was hospitalized for clinical depression. After a nearly 3 week stay in hospital, I was feeling better and discharged with a list of organizations to contact for support. One of the organizations I contacted was the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

It was late in the evening and I walked into a room of older women and I questioned if I was in the right place. “Is this the NAMI Care & Share meeting”, I inquired. A lovely woman with a kind face responded – “yes it is, are you a family member”? What an odd question, of course I am member of my family, I thought. Well, she wanted to know was I the person diagnosed with a mental illness (consumer) or was I a loved one supporting a family member with a mental illness (family member). When I told her my circumstances – she immediately welcomed me in.

I later learned that the meeting I attended was for ‘family members” only, but through the kindness of one person, I was welcomed in at a time when I needed to be around others. That was the start of my involvement with NAMI. First, as someone reaching out for support and then shortly after, as someone providing assistance to others.
FIND IT!

As I became more involved with NAMI, I learned that I was not alone. Yet, I was considered one of the lucky ones – I had a very good job, had completed my graduate studies, lived independently and was able to continue with my volunteer work. But what about the adult children of the parents in our NAMI affiliate, where were they? Many around my age and older are not as lucky as I. They fall into the 1/3 of those diagnosed with a persistent mental illness who may not recover fully. Some live at home, others live in Board & Care facilities, some have conservators, yet others are hospitalized for long periods of time or worse yet incarcerated. Let us not forget the other 1/3rd that squeak by on public assistance yet so desperately want to work and lead independent and fulfilling lives. These were truly my peers, those also diagnosed with severe persistent mental illness – yet by sheer numbers (or some would call it “odds”) I was in 1/3rd of the population and they were in the other 2/3rds. I am a numbers person, not a betting person and as one with a mental illness, not about “odds”. I am about people and action.

One year ago, I started an art club through our NAMI affiliate. Now, I know some people might say “art; isn’t that cute.” It is cute, but it is so much more. Remember those statistics in the previous paragraph – those numbers are people. Some lead isolated lives, others just need a place to go other than their Board & Care, while others are seeking opportunities to learn new skills and even give back to others. I envisioned a way to make some of these things a reality for my fellow consumers. The art was just a vehicle, a means to what I call a beginning rather than an end. It created social opportunities – by meeting once a week to work on various art projects together. It was the beginning of training another consumer to co-facilitate the group. The Peer Facilitator has learned new skills that she can include on her job applications. Each Peer Facilitator is provided with a skills list that correlates to the skills that they learn while leading the Art Club. Our Art Club participants have written poetry that has been included in our NAMI affiliate newsletter.

About a month ago when our Club met, there was a NAMI Care & Share meeting for families across the hall from our meeting room. We are always mindful of others in the building while we work, but that night the laughter was infectious and we were beyond loud. It was not too long before several heads from across the hall poked into our room. They chimed in unison: ’Hey you all are having too much fun in here….can we join you?”
DO IT!

Yes, they will join us as our Peer Art Club will now be a Family (all inclusive) Art Club for families to come, work and enjoy this time together. The goal is to reach out to more of our younger families and their young loved ones who sometimes get lost in the newness of a mental illness diagnoses. It is an opportunity to rejoice and relish each others company, not so much around our illness, but around our desire for wellness.
The Art Club was just a beginning and a wonderful beginning at that. I have written a guide for other NAMI affiliates or community health care centers to create this very expansive, yet inexpensive, program and it has spread as far as Lake Tahoe California. Further, my mind is fertile with new ideas – a theatre group, a community garden, hey what about……SHARE IT!
By the way, the members of our first Art Club enjoyed it so much; they sold their artwork to fund subsequent Art Club classes. And as for the lovely woman with the kind face that welcomed me in nearly 8 years ago – her son was in our first Art Club class and looked forward to coming to every class to get out and socialize with others!

Keris Myrick
Pasadena, CA

Volunteer Fred Skeen

2007-10-09T14:06:00.000-07:00

I am submitting this entry into the Find it! Do it! Share it! Contest on the behalf of Fred Skeen. I have known Fred for over 13 years now. Fred was Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 783 in Grass Valley, CA. While Fred volunteered as Scout Master, 25 scouts (including myself and two younger brothers) achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. At the same time, Fred was also the leader of his daughters Girl Scout troop.
Fred Skeen is now a volunteer for several local non-profits including: the Welcome Center, the Hospitality House, and Hospice. Fred is usually at the Hospitality House once a week helping to feed a group of homeless individuals and ensuring them a safe place to stay the night.

I spoke with Fred on many occasions about how he found the time to father 4 children, work as and RN, be Scout Master (for two troops), raise dogs for the seeing impaired, and volunteer for so many organizations.

He responded by saying that when he was growing up near the railroad tracks in Needles, CA, he would see several transients walking the tracks. Many times per week his mother would make sandwiches and have Fred give them to the transients along with bottles of RC cola. Fred said he saw how much this changed the spirits of the homeless individuals and realized how something as small as a bologna sandwich could have such a large impact on someone’s well being. Fred’s father was an electrician and while they never had much to give away, they would always help out one family every Christmas.

Fred told me once that he volunteers because he enjoys helping others. Whether its cleaning up park trails, building bathing facilities for animal shelters, leading boys to become men, or giving someone a bologna sandwich, Fred enjoys the love and community that is fostered when an individual volunteers their time. Fred often refers to volunteering as a test of faith. To him, volunteering and giving back to the community is the true expression of Christianity. Plus, Fred has been quoted as saying that he feels that he is not so different as the people he helps; he feels that he maybe only a few checks away from being the transient on the railroad himself. Fred finds volunteering more rewarding and meaningful than a job.

A Friend of Fred Skeen
Auburn, CA

Born to Volunteer

2007-10-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was a child, I said when I grew up I wanted to "work with people." Volunteering nourishes me. I simply crave filling free time with it. I have always been interested in psychology, and child development, and studied both in college. I was so anxious to get out into the world and interact with people with my new skills that I started seeking a volunteer position in 1994. I saw a flier for Humboldt Women for Shelter's volunteer training and I immediately called to sign up. This organization is now called Humboldt Domestic Violence Services, and has been helping local survivors for 30 years. I volunteered for one year in the Children's Program, before it turned into a permanent, paid position, which I stayed in for over 5 years. I facilitated children's support groups, arranging field trips for children in shelter, and learned to be a very good listener.

The next 4 years I worked for a County Mental Health Program called Healthy Moms. Our clients were women who were addicted to alcohol or other drugs and were pregnant or had young children. I supervised the child care stuff, facilitated Moms Support Groups and Parenting in Recovery Groups, and scheduled individual sessions with Moms and kids.

After 10 years of working with women and children, my husband requested help running our construction company, and so I made a life change and started running the business. I immediately missed using my social work skills and signed up for a little sister through Big Brother Big Sisters. After 9 long months of waiting, I was introduced to Kiera. She was 11 years old, had a fiery personality, and was willing to put her arm around me for our first picture together. That was 3 1/2 years ago. Kiera and I have both grown and changed significantly over this time. When I met Kiera she was a tom boy, didn't bother with hygiene or fashion, and loved to climb trees. She is now a young woman, very conscious of her appearance and how she carries herself, looking to her future and what she wants in her life. We still have dates once a week, and she has repeatedly told me that I am the only consistent person she has ever had in her life. She has said I am the best thing that has ever happened to her, and that I mean the world to her. Those sentiments are priceless, and I know my life would not be complete without her. I benefit as much from our relationship as she does. BBBS requires a one year commitment, but the first day we met we agreed that sisters are forever, so I look forward to our future together.

Last year, I realized I had the desire and time to do more volunteer work. I joined our local Rotary Club, which is a great way to donate time and money, through one's vocation. I benefit from fun and fellowship with other local business professionals, and give back to the community in many, many ways. Recently I joined volunteers answering phones for our local PBS stations fund drive, and last weekend I participated in a highway clean up. I am currently the head of the Community Service Committee, and we have several projects in the works. We are preparing to offer swim lessons to every 4th and 5th grader within City limits, we offer daily phone calls to seniors living alone, we bought a defibrillator for the local senior center, we provide Dictionaries to all local Kindergarteners and 3rd graders, donate wheelchairs to people in need, and the list goes on and on. I am honored to be a part of this amazing group. We have over 60 members and we are known to be one of the youngest and most energetic clubs around.

As if volunteering through BBBS and Rotary wasn't rewarding enough, I felt I still had skills and time to give, and recently began researching what other positions might be available locally. I put the word out to friends and learned about a position at Planned Parenthood. I made a call, sent in my resume, and was immediately accepted for the position of Options Educator. I have only been training for one month, but I am confident this is a perfect fit for me. I give pregnancy tests to women and discuss their results and options with them. It is an amazing feeling to know a stranger trusts me enough to let me into their lives and their emotions. Listening is such a powerful tool. It allows people to feel valued, and often reach their own conclusions. Again, this position has a one year commitment, but I intend to keep this weekly 3 hour shift long into my retirement!

Being in a paid social work position was very fulfilling and rewarding, but volunteering gives me an additional sense of selflessness. I know it is my choice to show up for my shifts or my Rotary meeting, or my date with Kiera. I know these people are relying on me, and I look forward to being there for them.

I really wish every adult on this planet would donate their time. There are so many positions available, no matter one's age, skills, or time constraints.

I run a business, I have an amazing husband, wonderful friends, many hobbies, and I still find time to volunteer with 3 separate organizations between 8-12 hours a week.

Volunteering is challenging, it builds my confidence, it keeps me on my toes, it fills my soul and makes me feel like I have a purpose in my life and I am making a difference.

I do not volunteer to receive praise or recognition, so I struggled with whether to participate in this contest. But I felt this was a wonderful opportunity to share my positive experiences with volunteering, and perhaps it might encourage even one person to donate their time too.

Amy Bohner

Arcata, CA

Volunteering is a Family Affair

2007-10-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

I started volunteering at Children's Hospital, Central California when my oldest daughter turned fifteen years old - 8 years ago. Fifteen was the "magic age" for volunteers at Children's Hospital for those teenagers that might need Community Service hours for school. Ashley was interested in volunteering and my thinking was...'why not volunteer with her because I was going to have to drive her there and pick her up!' I also thought, what a special time it could be for us as we worked together. Little did I know, at that time, how much this experience would touch my life.

Ashley and I volunteered for 3 years together, and when it was time for her to head off to college, my youngest daughter, having witnessed this special time her older sister and I shared, and listening to all of the stories we shared with the rest of our family, about the babies we held, the children we played with, the parents and families we interacted with, also wanted to try her hand at Volunteering - - and lo and behold, as Ashley departed for college, Alison turned the magic age - fifteen.

Ali and I began volunteering together. My daughter Alison is very different from her sister. They are both wonderful girls, but Ali is really my tender hearted soul. She is the one who would worry about the babies whose parents couldn't be with them during their hospital stay. She is the one who tear up when the small children would cry because of a medical procedure that might hurt. She would happily work at cleaning the floor playroom on our assigned ward, because she wanted to be sure the games pieces were all together so the children would be able to play with them, and the toys were in their proper place so the children could easily find them.

I have many special memories of volunteering with both my girls at Children's Hospital, but I think the one memory that stands out is the time that Alison and I attempted to comfort a small boy who had been severely burned by scalding water. What my daughter did not know, at the time, was that his burns had been done on purpose. This little guy was in a lot of pain when he was awake - which was when his pain medication wore off. His family was not allowed visit him. Ali and I sat, each holding one of his tiny hands. We sang to him, we read to him, we talked to him. We rubbed his hands with hospital lotion, and we whispered how much we cared and how sorry we were that he was hurt. We both cried with him. It still brings tears to my eyes to think of this little guy. I believe that we made a huge difference in his little life. I know he made a difference in ours.

It's been two years since Ali went away to college...and yes...I am still volunteering at Children's Hospital of Central California. When I go Children's and I walk down the halls I think of my own two girls - now young women, and I also think how thankful and blessed I am to have such a wonderful place to volunteer. The nurses, the doctors, the children the families...they remind me of how special life really is.

Karen Dockery
Fresno, CA

What Strengthened My Volunteer Efforts

2007-10-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

From a small child I have been one with a giving and loving heart. I nurture the passion inside that wants to “fix or help everyone and everything.” I learned the hard way that I can not solely accomplish the task. Of the many workplace and community efforts, the one that strengthened my volunteer efforts and drive to continue assisting would have to be the Bob Foster Christmas Toy Drive this past December 2006. My two children and I participated as Boeing Volunteers as Santa’s Elves. Duties included crowd control, toy giveaways, escorting, food distribution and photos. I was asked to personally escort various children as they would come to the front of the line to see Santa, to ask them their name and assist with the photo and proceed to take them to pick out a toy of their choice from a huge assortment donated from various groups.

One little girl Autumn touched me in a way that elevated my personal desire to volunteer. After her picture with Santa, I walked her to the toy section and her eyes got so big and she was so excited she asked “Where did all these toys come from”? I explained that they were donations and she wanted to know why people didn’t want these lovely toys. I further explained that they wanted kids that were less fortunate to have toys and so they are here for her to pick from. She carefully went through the books, dolls, play equipment etc. and picked the perfect doll and the perfect book and lastly the perfect play dough set. She said she wanted to make sure she got the perfect toys and wanted to donate them all to the “less fortunate” kids on her behalf. This brought tears to my eyes and I realized how innocent and naïve she was and how genuine she was in wanting to donate her allotment. I explained that she didn’t have to do that but it was a lovely thought. This changed me from the core out. To this day It is very difficult for me to turn down volunteer efforts when called upon. I work at least 6-8 projects per year and most of the time as a single family unit with my two children by my side. From California Clean up, Neighborhood beautification projects, Career Day events, Amelia Earhardt, Long Beach Christmas Parade, Doing Something Right Recognition, Working Wardrobes, Books and Backpack Campaign, American Cancer Society Daffodil Days, Long Beach Mission, Boeing Affinity Groups and many more groups I currently do volunteer projects with, I am glad and blessed to be able to assist and serve. I am enclosing pictures from this life changing event and one of the beautiful little girl named Autumn.

Juanyeen Godoy

Long Beach, CA

Dave and Teree Urquhart

2007-10-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

As Principal of Summerville High School in Tuolumne, California, Dave Urquhart has helped and encouraged numerous county teens through the challenging years of high school. He has served the same high school for many, many years and is a much loved and respected administrator and as such received a much deserved “Best of Tuolumne County Principal of the Year” award in 2006-07. In 2003, he also received an award of a different kind—a heart transplant at Stanford University Hospital. He and his family experienced first hand not only the costs of the procedure, but the costs for the entire family, not only the patient. As Dave recovered and later that same year, the experience prompted Dave and his wife, Teree to spearhead a foundation, the WINGS Fund.

The WINGS Fund assists families of Tuolumne County and their children who are hospitalized out of the area with their non-medical and travel expenses. These expenses mount up quickly and include items such as expensive lodging, meals, transportation and other related fees for simply being away from home and for the families who want to be near their loved one or children who are hospitalized. These visitor related expenses are not covered by insurance and place an additional burden on a family already dealing with the stress of an illness or surgery.

Understanding all too well, Dave and Teree went to work setting up their foundation and then to distributing the information and application forms to all the doctors, schools, and health agencies in Tuolumne County. Dave has been a regular speaker at service clubs and other community organizations to inform everyone of these funds and to finance their activities, both Dave and Teree organize an annual dinner with raffle, silent auction and live auction. The do most of the coordination, and oversee and physically assist in all phases and operations of the event. Their home as well has dedicated space to manage and administer the fund and its activities as they collaboratively work with the Sonora Area Foundation to distribute the funds.

In the past three years, 26 children and their families have received assistance from the WINGS Fund. Dave could continue his daily activities and been grateful for his second gift of life; but instead he has been moved by it and chosen to selflessly assist others who are experiencing like challenges and may or may not be as fortunate as he. What moved him to volunteer so much of himself to others? A great big heart!

Gary Dambacher
Sonora, CA

Camp Volunteer

2007-10-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

I remember the change of seasons that year. The smell of pine and freedom filled the air. I was thirteen. I can still hear the crunch of gravel on the old dirt road as we walked to the dining hall at Camp Joe Scherman. I had spent many summers here, growing up. Many days filled with hiking, swimming and singing as we walked in our “buddy line” to each new adventure.

This year was so different. The camp was the same. Same songs, same trees. It was me that was different. I could hear my heart beating as we walked. It seemed that my senses were heightened. This year I was no longer a camper. This was the year that I attended camp as a volunteer aide assisting a camper with special needs. I will always remember Jamie (not her real name) and that summer. She was lovely and excited and a fabulous companion to assist. I felt honored to be there and took the commitment very seriously.

This experience of service began far before the first day of camp. I remember the weekend retreat in which other girls and I received the training for this opportunity. I felt so grown-up, so mature, so ready to step up and give from my heart. The experience of learning CPR and how to sensitively assist another person’s needs have been invaluable throughout my life. I was young but I knew that volunteering was for me. I had received so much giving, over the years, as a camper and Girl Scout that giving back seemed only natural. This particular experience opened the door to a place in me that I had not realized existed. If I could support this girl in some way that touched her life, some way that encouraged her to experience herself as strong and capable and confident…well, then I would volunteer for life!

Guess what? I am still volunteering! It is over 20 years later and the list is long. I have built playgrounds, taught Sunday school, supported Rape Crisis victims and served food in the park to the homeless. My career is in the non-profit sector and I currently supervise a staff that is 70% volunteers. I love my job! The volunteers so inspire me and remind me of my original mission. Volunteering is one of those things that once you start is hard to stop. I often find myself volunteering for community events that we sponsor even though I do not have to be there for work. It is my pleasure to serve children, families and the community.

As I raise my own family, we volunteer together. Like I said before, volunteerism is catching and what better way to teach than by example? We recently helped with refurbishing an Eastern Orthodox Church in a community that had little resource to do so itself. We worked side by side with AmeriCorps volunteers and others various volunteers in the community. One of my fondest memories is of my, then 8 year old, son supervising the AmeriCorps volunteers on exactly where the heavy bricks we were moving should be piled. I am sure they get a good laugh over that one too!

Looking back, that summer is a sweet memory of my own growth. I began the growth from a girl into an active citizen. I supported Jamie to experience herself more fully and was exponentially gifted with the same experience of myself. I know volunteering is the heartbeat that I heard that first day at Camp Scherman. It is the lifeblood that builds communities…that nourishes them. In those communities are families and in those families are individuals. Individuals like Jamie and individuals like me. Volunteering pulses with positive intention and the knowledge that we are all somehow connected. It means making a difference through commitment of love and service and heart.

Michele Nunn
Rancho Cordova, CA

How Volunteering Changed My Life

2007-10-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

When I was nine, my parents decided it was time for my family to move. So we packed up our bags, said goodbye to family and friends, and boarded an airplane that took us half way around the world and released us in California.

I remember it was Christmas, and all the stores were full of presents and lights and decorated in Christmas colors. That was my first glimpse of Christmas, and it was just as glamorous as the movies depicted. We drove down the streets, with the trees adorned with lights and couples holding hands and I remember thinking that America must actually be as wonderful as everyone promised it would be.

But that mentality did not last long. School started, and I stepped into a world I didn’t understand. English sounded like barbaric mumblings, the writing on the board looked like strange drawings, and the people- the selfish, selfish people- were too much for me to handle.
My first year in America was hell. I suffered from such loneliness that I could never have comprehended before I felt it first-hand. I sat in class listening to sounds I did not understand. I read alone during lunch. I sat by myself during recess. I went home and spent all day trying to complete homework in a language I was not even close to understanding. I studied the spelling of words I did not even know the meaning of. I had to write stories in a foreign language. I had to learn how to write cursive when I didn’t even know print. It was hell.

It wasn’t only that the work was hard and that the only people I spoke to were my mom, dad, sister and brother. It was that I never before knew loneliness. I always had friends and I was part of a large family that met regularly and got alone wonderfully. I couldn’t understand why I was so hated. I couldn’t understand why everyone turned their backs on me.

That time passed, however. I slowly got friends, learned the language, and the all-consuming loneliness left me. I became active in volunteering, inspired by the despair I knew and wanted to prevent others from knowing. Since the beginning of my volunteer career, I have organized fundraisers, participated in community service activities, and spread awareness about important issues. I am now entering my fourth year as a member of the Community Action Team, a group of high school students committed to spreading volunteerism. I am president of three volunteer clubs at my school: START (Students Taking Action Real Time), a club dedicated to volunteering in general, STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur), this is a chapter of a national organization dedicated to stopping the genocide in Darfur, and WOP (World Of Peace), a club dedicated to aiding peace activists around the world. I created a Peer Counseling Program at my school that is now being worked into the requirements of At Risk Students. I have spent a month working in an orphanage in Lima, Peru. I have helped organize classes about the importance of volunteerism and have taught middle school students about disaster preparedness. For three years now, I have organized a fundraiser called Race for Water, which is dedicated to raising money to build wells in Africa. Each year the profit from the race has doubled, and last year I had over 100 participants. And I still remember what inspired me to make change, for once you feel something so terrible, you can never go back into blissful ignorance.

I understand that the children in my class weren’t evil- they were just selfish. I know I would have been no less self absorbed if an American girl came to my school in Israel. But I also know that it is wrong. And I know that we, as humans, don’t grow out of that selfishness. We want our I-pods and our Mochas and our movies. We so easily forget all the people struggling in the world to survive. Three dollars can save a woman in Darfur for a year! A year!

And so I urge you to remember those you love. And I urge you to remember the times that you felt pain. And to act to help those that are still suffering. I know that part of what makes me such a committed volunteer is the fact that I know how it feels not to belong, not be cared for. Feeling pain or loneliness or despair can sometimes teach us great lessons. I know it is so easy to just forget and be happy. But we can’t. We have to fight for each other because if you don’t fight when you are strong and happy, no one will fight for you when you are weak and sad.

Osnat Oron
San Rafael, CA

Why I continue to volunteer

2007-10-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

It seems only yesterday they were Daisy Girl Scouts. This year they are now leading others. It was so great to see them step up to the plate. Every year we have a local “camporee” with our neighborhood (city) Girl Scout troops. Our neighborhood chairperson opened up the planning for our camporee to the older girls-all Cadettes and Senior scout- and because our girls were now Cadette Girl Scouts our troop could participate. About 8 girls of 20 went to the planning meetings on a regular basis. One of the girls in my troop designed the logo for the event. All of the girls who went to camporee worked the event. They were so proud of themselves, now to be the ones showing others how to do things. I was so proud of them to see them growing up to be the young women leaders I know they can be.

I have been a Girl Scout leader for 14 years and I am always awed and inspired how far these kids can go with just a little confidence building and support. My older daughters’ troop is now all in college. They are successful confident young women who all left home to go to big schools. All nine of them who sold cookies, sang songs and learned to camp. They learned how to work with people who they might not particularly like-girls are put into patrols randomly, not necessarily with their buddy and told that you do not have to like everyone but you have to be nice to them. They learned not to take rejection personally-selling cookies as especially as you get older meant hearing no fairly often. They found out that a failure was not the end of the world but a stepping stone to the next success-sometimes the events they planned did not work out. They learned that even someone they might not like may be a good leader or have something important to say. These young women can lead a group, speak in public, leave home without their parent, try new foods and make a friend for life. They were there by high school graduation.

I now see these same things happening to the younger girls. They are stepping up to the leadership roles, willing to take a chance, thrilled when someone thinks that what they think and say is important and then act on it. Knowing that the things we do as leaders really did made a difference in how the first group of young women blossomed makes me excited to continue to volunteer my time for these younger girls.

My name is Jeanne Teschler. I am a mother of three and am currently working full time as a night charge nurse in a busy critical care unit at a suburban hospital. If you find something worthwhile to do, you can always find time to make it work.

Jeanne Teschler
Glendora, CA

Jagger's "Satisfaction" with volunteering

2007-10-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

My name is Jeff and my son is Jagger.

This is a story about Jagger the amazing volunteer.

Jagger is 6 years old. When he was about 3 years old
he started picking up trash around our street. His mother and I praised him and explained to him what he was doing is a very good thing for the environment. Then while driving in the car he started pointing out all the trash on the roads. His desire to clean up all the trash was so overwhelming that I promised him we would clean up the trash. He was very persistent and not to long after he started wanting to clean up I took him to his school and off he went picking up all the trash he could along the road and around the school we went. He was carrying his trash grabber which was almost as tall as him. When it came time to go he wanted to keep picking up trash. Every week we went to a different spot and found lots of trash. I had to explain to him that we could not go onto the freeway because it was very dangerous. Jagger was not happy with the fact he couldn't go onto the side of the freeway to remove the trash. I explained that the Cal Trans workers would come to pick up the trash and that helped to satisfy him. It has been an amazing thing to see how motivated Jagger has been. His motivation has inspired allot of people including his friends at school to help pick up trash. Also people passing buy on the road saying thank you for helping to clean up the roads. I believe this little guy Jagger has one of the biggest Hearts around and deserves to win this contest.

Jeff Dadigan
Ventura, CA

My Experience with The Special Olympics

2007-10-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

I am a police officer, so i have several chances to work with the community, but i usually getting paid for it. One day a fellow police officer talked me into volunteering at a "Special Olympic" event. Special Olympics is an organization that provides year round sport training and competition to adults with disabilites. Special Olympic's uses Law Enforcement from across the country to volunteer with their program.

Last year, Special Olympics held "Spring Games" ( a large competition where hundreds of athletes particpate) locally and requested law enforcement help award medal to athletes. Sounds easy right? Well it was about 95 degrees, I was wearing a wool uniform with 25 lbs of equipment around my waist, only 3 other officers came to volunteer which meant it was 8 hours of non-stop handing out of medals.

About two hours into it I was a little grumpy, hungry, tired...you name it. I had already been thinking about how to get out of volunteering next year. As I took a quick bathroom break, a spectator came up to me to tell me a very special story. She said that she had met a young athlete that had Down Syndrome. She pointed to the medal around his neck and asked him how he he won it. The athlete quickly mumbled something that the spectator thought was myra. The spectator asked the athlete who or what was "myra?" The athlete then loudly responded...NO MY HERO GAVE IT TO ME! The spectator asked the athlete, "who is your hero?" The athlete had pointed directly to me!!! He then told the spectator, " I gotta go, I gonna win the next one for my hero.

Needless to say this was a huge eye opener. I realized that by me being there, volunteering my time, I was making a difference. These athletes had worked so hard to make it to the competition, had overcome so much in life and that day I was their hero.

The rest of day went by quickly, I was no longer tired, I ignored the heat and i awarded hundreds of athletes medals!! I ended my day of volunteering knowing who the true heros were, I was just lucky enough to be a part of their special day!!!!!!!

As a side note, I was hooked, I still volunteer with Special Olympics and every event I bring 1 more person with me and I tell them to bring someone next time. I have had many friends and families volunteer with me and i have never heard anyone end the day with out asking about when the next event was coming up.

Marianna Villaescusa
San Jose, CA

My Special Volunteer Experience

2007-10-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

On August 3rd I registered to volunteer at the Pomona Valley Workshop serving the needs of the disabled. This was the first time for this special event and I was hesitant to volunteer because of the dancing involved. I knew dancing would be a challenge for me because of my personal disability not allowing me to stand for long periods of time. I hoped that I would be able to offer my time and talents in some way even if it was not dancing.

I spoke to Bobbi, the project leader and I asked her if I could assist taking photos as this would allow me to rest as needed. I had such a wonderful time talking to participants and taking their photos. I had not been sitting down for more than 5 minutes after being assigned the unofficial photographer and a participant by the name of David walked up to me with the most warm and friendly smile and tapped me on the shoulder. He said “I want to take a picture with you.” I was surprised because I had not met him before. I replied “of course.” and I introduced myself.

We sat down in front of the Hawaiian backdrop and took our photo together. I also had my helper Jasmine take a photo with our personal camera and I showed him the photo on the digital screen. He was quite taken by the small size of the picture and he kept insisting that the photo was small and he wanted a copy to put in his wallet. He continued to say, “it’s small just right for my wallet” and he showed me his wallet where he had a blank spot for another photo. He asked me if I could give him a copy next month on September 7th. He knew the exact date. Throughout the evening he came up to me and reminded me of the ‘small photo’ that he wanted for his wallet.

Throughout the evening we took photos non-stop. The polariod photos were quite popular and the participants enjoyed when we would write their name and add a small symbol of friendship to their card like a smiling face or heart. We had a wonderful time interacting with the participants and taking their photos, we even ran out of cards before the evening ended but continued to take photos.

On September 7th I returned to the Pomona Valley Workshop for the “End of Summer” dance. Prior to event I went to drugstore and developed a wallet size photo for David and took it with me. When I arrived at the event, David was one of the first participants I saw. I walked up to him and he anxiously said, “I know you” I handed him the wallet size photo and he said with the biggest smile on his face, “You remembered!” and he gave me the biggest bear hug. That was the highlight of my evening, it meant so much to him that I remembered and he immediately put the photo in his wallet. Shortly after we arrived David came up to the table where we began to take photos. He requested two photos to be taken of us and before he left he gave me one to keep………That was my special volunteer experience that reminded me how much I enjoyed giving back.

“People with disabilities are created in the image of God just as
much as star athletes or homecoming queens.”

Nadine Bianes
Azusa, CA

Dog Fostering To Fair Dinkum Ozzie

2007-10-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Often age 17 is the year teens become aware they aren't the center of the universe. They look around and see needs they hadn't noticed before. High school counselors recognize the importance of acting on that newfound awareness and performing community service. When our son reached that point we encouraged him to make a contribution. Shelving library books and serving food to the homeless weren't for him, but how about working with kids at the Boys and Girls Club, or socializing animals at the Humane Society? As a year-round athlete, however, Mark's after-school hours and occasional Saturdays were claimed by coaches. Keeping a time commitment to a non-profit organization would be problematic.

Serendipitously, while we were having this discussion our local newspaper ran an article highlighting the need of a nearby dog shelter for foster families. P.A.W.S. Oroville, CA (Progressive Animal Welfare Society, a national organization) had more special-needs puppies than they could handle. We could foster as a family with Mark taking the lead. We contacted Carol, were trained, and returned home with Dillon, a four month-old shar pei mix who had lived by his wits and was terrified of men. When Mark was home, he and Dillon were together. They just shared the same space initially, but surprisingly soon, became close buddies. It appeared Dillon might become a permanent family member, undermining the community service plan. We hadn't fully considered the difficulty in separating from a foster dog. Carol needed us to foster, however, not adopt. She pronounced Dillon ready for a forever home, placed him with a new owner and sent us home with Sally, a sweet, shy boxer mix. We had less difficulty giving her up to a good home - maybe we were getting the hang of fostering?

A timid little brown dog of unknown breed being bullied by other dogs at the rescue facility became foster pup number three. Both sons and my husband melted when they met Rusty's pleading eyes. "We're not in the market for another pet," I insisted. "The point of this experience is fostering, performing community service, remember?" But I know that sometimes animals choose their owners and that's that. We compromised; we would adopt Rusty but continue to foster.

Clementine came to us next. Carol offered a skin-and-bones, three year-old, depressed hound found wandering in nearby rice fields. Possibly abandoned by a hunter for being gun shy, possibly lost after following a scent, Clementine had little interest in living. We weren't sure she would make it through the first night. We coaxed her to eat and set her to sleep alongside our mellow old beagle. We gave her an over-stuffed chair of her own; only her paw moved, batted by Rusty as it dangled over the cushion. Finally, days later, she opened one eye to identify the little pup pestering her. Before we could say Yipee!, Clementine and Rusty were joyfully tearing around the house. She wanted to eat with the others and learn to walk on a leash so she could join us for park adventures. Our fostering job was done. We found the perfect match for Clementine with a cross-country truck driver. She now rides shotgun in a semi.

Mark's senior year began. We took a break from fostering and reflected on the experience. We agreed it had been more rewarding than we could have imagined for all of us: it was a shared family experience; we all became aware of a community need and made a contribution; we met wise, generous animal supporters; we bonded with each dog but managed to let them go to new homes so we could help others... and we added Rusty to the family.

(Rusty's breed has been identified; he's an energetic Australian herding dog, a kelpie mix. He's now an agility dog and will compete in trials as part of team "Fair Dinkum Ozzie," true-blue Aussie in Down-Under slang. Through Rusty, we've been introduced to the agility world - playful dogs, people, events, and expanded our physical world. We purchased a "Fair Dinkum Ozzie" license plate from an ebay seller in Sale, Australia. (What time zone is Sale in? and what is that British bloke doing at his computer at 4:45am running up the auction price?))

The benefits of fostering have been described but what about the costs? We purchased food and supplies and paid for advertisements for permanent homes, but the organizations we worked with, P.A.W.S and the Humane Society, would have provided them, so grateful are they for foster families. Some furniture and shoes were chewed and the carpet soiled by the first pups due to our inexperience. By the last dog, we'd figured it out. The only significant cost was the heartbreak of separating from the dogs. Each one took a bit of us with them and left some of themselves with us. We managed to let them go after assuring ourselves they were going to good homes, but it was heart-wrenching.

Will we foster again? Absolutely! In the spring, we fostered a momma cat and her five kittens until they weaned, after learning the local shelter lacks the space to allow that process to happen naturally. We highly recommend family participation in fostering programs. Turns out it's not only high school juniors who see needs they hadn't noticed before and benefit from acting on that newfound awareness by performing community service.

Maria Woodbury
Chico, CA

Find It. Do It. Share It.

2007-09-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

As CaliforniaVolunteers launched our Disney-sponsored “Find it. Do it. Share it.” contest to highlight inspiring volunteer stories across the state, I reflected upon my life and the moments that provided me inspiration and strengthened my dedication to service and volunteering. I realized there wasn’t one volunteer “aha” moment for me, but instead I draw my inspiration from my family and the volunteers I have had the pleasure to meet, work with or learn about.

One of our CaliforniaVolunteers staff members, whom I will call Julia, began volunteering at 16 years old with the California Youth Crisis Line, a confidential 24 hour hotline available to young Californians. As a youth counselor she took incoming calls from across the state and helped Californians deal with emotionally charged situations ranging from having a hard day at school to surviving a suicide attempt. The crisis line received hundreds of calls a day and provided referrals to services ranging from counseling to a safe place to eat. For some callers, one call was all they would ever make to the hotline. After a few weeks, Julia realized for some callers the crisis line was the only dependable thing in their life.

While some cases were mundane other calls were really heart wrenching. Anthony was 22 years old by the time Julia first took his call. Sometimes he would call sobbing because he had lost an apartment again and was addicted to heroin and he needed a place to sleep. Sometimes he would call in a jubilant mood because he was clean again and was looking for a place to find work excited at the prospect of “getting it right this time.” Anthony had been calling the crisis line for over four years. Counselors had talked him through the highs and the lows of being a child of the streets in Hollywood. The volunteers always tried to help him back up when he fell, and always tried to encourage him when he found small successes.

As a youth counselor on a confidential hotline, the volunteers grow used to be an anonymous helping hand. They learn to recognize callers and accept that they may not be important to them as a person but rather as a small comfort or a friendly resource. On one special day, Anthony recognized Julia’s name. She was profoundly touched that, regardless of his troubles, he was relating to her as another human being. Anthony seemed to recognize his effect on Julia as much as her effect on him. He taught her a lot about what it is to fail, and what it is to succeed and that no matter how hard it got, if you could look through a phone and find a friend, even though you would never meet them, and they would never know you in “real life,” that you could always get back up take another step.

Stories like Julia’s provide me the inspiration to continue to serve, to continue to work toward strengthening the non-profit sector and increasing volunteerism in our state. I hope you are inspired to find ways you too can strengthen your community through volunteering. No matter if it is an hour a day, once a week or once in a while, everyone can make a difference through volunteering. CaliforniaVolunteers encourages every Californian to FIND a service opportunity that matches their interests, DO something to help make a difference and SHARE their experience to inspire others. Visit CaliforniaVolunteers.org to share your volunteer story and you will be entered to win an all-expense-paid trip to Disneyland®.

We Californians are 38 million strong. Imagine how strong our great state would be if every Californian found their own unique way of giving back. Look In and Find Out how you can be the difference in your community through CaliforniaVolunteers.org.

Karen Baker
Executive Director
CaliforniaVolunteers

My First Volunteer Experience

2007-09-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a child I logged hundreds of volunteer hours at my mom’s office. I was stuffing envelopes, stapling and filing almost every weekend. Those hours of forced volunteerism taught me a lot about working in an office. I learned how to collate and I became quick at alphabetizing files. I even mastered the art of unjamming the photocopy machine. And while all those skills ended up helping my mom’s projects and gave me experience that would later help me when I entered the work force, they didn’t really teach me a whole lot about volunteerism. That lesson came as a young teenager.

It was mid November and my mother had informed us that we weren’t going to be having a Thanksgiving dinner that year. I was bummed. No Thanksgiving meant none of my mom’s famous mashed potatoes, no turkey legs to fight over and no stuffing with toasted pecans and spiced sausage. This was very sad news. I was going to have to wait another 365 days before I could have all of her once-a-year culinary specialties. Surely she was kidding about no Thanksgiving. Nope, she wasn’t. She told us we were going to Fresno to serve food at a homeless shelter.

As a new thirteen year old member of the teen scene I wasn’t all that keen on waking up early then driving an hour to Fresno just to work in a kitchen on Thanksgiving. I mean, schools and business close down for Thanksgiving so people can spend time at home with their families not so people can spend the day working in a kitchen wearing a hair net, an apron and plastic gloves. This was not going to be cool!

Once we arrived my attitude changed almost instantly. I saw families already lined up at eight o’clock in the morning. There were families of moms, dads and children. There were young couples, older couples and individuals. I felt a tinge of shame as I got out of our warm car and stepped in to the icy November air that the families had already been waiting in for who knows how long.

We got inside and I anxiously grabbed my apron, hat and gloves. I forgot about how uncool I was going to look. I forgot about my mom’s mashed potatoes. I forgot about having to wait for another year before my next Mom cooked Thanksgiving meal. What I found myself caring about was serving a warm Thanksgiving meal to all those families who were waiting outside. I cared about getting freshly cooked dinner rolls to every table. I cared about giving everyone a smile so they felt welcome. I wanted to make sure that everyone enjoyed sharing their hot meal with their family.

That day I realized that the schools and businesses were closed not just for me to spend a day at home with my family eating turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing but so that all families could be together. Our family was together that day; we were working together so that other families could enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner even if that meant that we gave up ours.

The next year about mid November I asked my mom, “Are we going back to serve dinner again?” I had finally learned what it meant to be a volunteer.

Alice Rodriguez
Hub Associate
CaliforniaVolunteers

Extreme Makeover - Life Edition

2007-09-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

I majored in International Studies from a small, service-oriented liberal arts college on purpose. My goal was to travel to other countries and serve people who have far less than I grew up with in middle-class America. Two weeks after college graduation, not quite sure of what I’d gotten myself into, I found myself – literally and figuratively – in the country of Haiti. Hot, dusty and radically unlike my rainy Oregon hometown, I had to learn the common language (Creole) and customs, change the way I ate, maneuver vehicles in some pretty harrowing situations – and earn the privilege of working alongside some of the most interesting and committed people I have ever met in my life. Instead of the 6 months originally committed to, I spent 8 years in Haiti working for a variety of relief and development organizations, and knew the work undertaken by my colleagues and myself changed and even saved thousands of lives. The girl from Oregon found out what it means to truly be a world citizen and care for others in very tangible ways.

In the past 12 years since returning to the States, I’ve had the privilege of recruiting and managing volunteers, raising funds for a wide variety of causes, running service projects, and now managing the largest statewide volunteer matching network in the nation. CaliforniaVolunteers, which is based in the Governor’s Office, partners with local volunteer centers, Hands On affiliates, schools, nonprofits, public agencies, online volunteer matching systems like VolunteerMatch, AmeriCorps, Idealist and many others - and of course the people of California. Our goal is to increase the number of folks engaged in volunteering and service while improving the quality and impact of their experiences. Through our innovative new Web site, CaliforniaVolunteers.org, Californians can find a wide array of local volunteer opportunities that fit their interests, priorities and availability.

As a result of my varied experiences, one of my strongest values is the idea of people having an “Extreme Makeover – Life Edition” through giving of themselves, especially early on in life. By looking in their hearts and minds, connecting with a cause they’re passionate about, and then doing something to be the difference, young people (and the not-so-young!) will find incredible ways to continue the transformation of themselves and their communities.

Nancy Olson
Manager, California Volunteer Matching Network
CaliforniaVolunteers

Celebrate AmeriCorps Week

2007-05-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Five years ago I was a 16-year-old high school dropout attending an alternative high school in downtown San Francisco and preparing to take the GED exams. I couldn’t wait for high school to be behind me. I had no idea what I was going to do next, but I knew I needed a job and college was out of the picture. My GED instructor discovered I had an interest in working with kids and had an idea. A sign on a door down the hall from his office read AmeriCorps Getting Things Done. When I entered through that door and was handed an application, I had no idea what to expect. At 16 there was no way for me to fully comprehend that I was just given a key to many doors, but now at 21 years old and enrolled at San Francisco State University, I have no idea where I would be had I not turned in that application.

The Bay Area Youth Agency Consortium (BAYAC) AmeriCorps program accepted by application and I began my year of service shortly after turning 17. BAYAC was understanding and supportive and worked with my schedule as I completed my GED testing. My first year of service with BAYAC flew fast. While most 17-year-olds were preparing for college, I was working in a middle school four days a week learning how to work with youth just a few years younger than me. In that first year I gained immeasurable knowledge, learned skills no college class could teach and was able refine my talents that would shape my future career. The group of individuals with whom I worked was amazing. I was the youngest member in our group of about 80 individuals, who were mostly college graduates. I had never been surrounded by people who were so positive about higher education. After my first year of service, I enrolled in a community college with the help of my AmeriCorps education award.

Because my first year of service was so rewarding, I elected to serve a second term. During my second year, I began my first year in college. My talents and skills working with youth were further refined and I carried with me an endless supply of enthusiasm to learn. Everyday the youth I worked with reminded me of the importance of higher education. The school where I worked happened to be the same school my older and younger sister attended and students recognized me. With the help of AmeriCorps I become an active community member. I lived, studied and worked in the very same community I was raised. I had the privilege to work with youth who were just like me Just a year prior I was counting the days until I was no longer in school, and now I was the only person in my students’ lives who encouraged them to strive to do their best in class.

Today I still work with youth from my community who face the same problems as I did uneducated parents, poor performing public schools and no direction in life. I am pursuing a degree at San Francisco State University in Math for Teaching and I am serving on the CaliforniaVolunteers Commission. My two years of service in AmeriCorps gave me the skills and strength to pursue my dreams while helping those around me.

Everyday AmeriCorps members are in schools across the state and nation providing extraordinary services to youth by providing a guiding and balancing voice in our education system that lacks the necessary resources and supports for students. I encourage every young Californian who is trying to find their path in life to consider joining AmeriCorps and give back while sorting things out. It will be the most rewarding experience you will ever have during a questioning period in your life. You can be part of the thousands of Americans who get up everyday and create a wave of change that positively impacts thousands of youth.

Elizabeth Lopez is a two-time AmeriCorps alumni, instructor at The Edgewood Center for Families and was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to serve on the CaliforniaVolunteers Commission.

Playground Initiative Inspires Service

2007-03-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have always believed that if we engage children in service early, it’s a gift that will stay with them for a lifetime.

I was so proud to stand beside each volunteer at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center and build a playground for kids in the community. There were mothers and families from the Center and the community, AmeriCorps volunteers and so many people who rolled up their sleeves to build this playground – all because they, too, wanted a safe place for children to play.

But the day was so much more than building a playground, it was about building a place for children to connect to important life lessons. Playgrounds teach our children to be active – to run, jump and reach high – playgrounds inspire imaginations and connect communities. But what excites me the most about this playground initiative is that they honor the life of Cesar E. Chavez and continue his legacy of service. Not only are we building playgrounds, but we’re creating afterschool service clubs for middle school students that implement lessons regarding Chavez’s life – teaching our children at a young age the importance of serving that I hope will remain with them for a lifetime.

Celebrating the legacy and courageous life-long dedication of Cesar E. Chavez is an endeavor I am thrilled to be a part of. Chavez was one of 13 Californians inducted into the first ever California Hall of Fame that Arnold and I established in 2006. I was honored to join Paul Chavez and his family at the Hall of Fame ceremony, and I was once again honored to join them in launching the playground initiative, which will continue to tell Chavez’s story, inspiring future generations.

This year, to honor Cesar E. Chavez, 10 new playgrounds are being built by community volunteers across California – with so many more to come! It wouldn’t be possible without each of our partners, particularly CaliforniaVolunteers, KaBOOM!, the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation and Youth Service California.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this remarkable day and for volunteering your time. Building a playground is just one way you can make a difference in your community – I encourage every Californian of any age to visit www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org and learn about volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood and sign up to serve today!

Maria Shriver
California First Lady and Honorary Chair of CaliforniaVolunteers

Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center Playground Build

2007-03-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

As Chairman of CaliforniaVolunteers, I am excited to launch the first of what I hope will be a regular “blog” about service and the important work of the CaliforniaVolunteers Commission. The Commission is comprised of every-day citizens who, like you, are committed to a vision of California where each of us serves, giving of ourselves to improve the lives of others. And, under the leadership of our Governor and First Lady, we are charged with inspring a movement to promote service and volunteerism in California, setting an example for the nation.

It was such a pleasure to participate in the building of a new community playground at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center on March 24. More than 400 volunteers gathered to construct a place for kids to connect with each other in a safe, fun environment and learn about the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez. Because of this project, kids throughout the community will come together to make lasting connections that may not have existed otherwise.

Through a partnership with the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, national non-profit KaBOOM! and Youth Service California, nine more playgrounds will be constructed by over 2,000 volunteers in communities across California. These playgrounds were designed by the community, including the kids who will actually use them. The youth also participated in lessons regarding Chavez’ life and legacy and learned how to use his core values to make a positive impact through service and civic participation.

But these projects aren’t just about building new playgrounds; instead they are about bringing people together to build and strengthen their communities. Service and volunteering gives individuals and families the opportunity to meet new people, have new experiences and tap into talents they never knew they had. It brings people from all walks of life together for a common purpose and to do their part to improve the world around them. With every new volunteer, our communities, state and nation all become stronger and more united.

The Cesar E. Chavez Day of Service and Learning 2007 program also created new afterschool service clubs that will teach middle school students about Chavez’ life and values and get them involved in service activities to empower them to address issues in their own communities. New curricula was developed to teach our youth about Chavez’ core values, both during the school day and as part of afterschool programs and to further encourage participation in service to their communities.

As Cesar E. Chavez once said “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community É Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” To find ways you can make a difference in your community visit www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org.

Michael Camuñez
Chairperson, CaliforniaVolunteers

Sí Se Puede

2007-03-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

One of the first phrases that comes to mind when I reflect on the upcoming program honoring Cesar E. Chavez, sponsored by CaliforniaVolunteers and Youth Service California, is “Sí Se Puede.” This phrase, which means “Yes, it can be done”, motivated many who worked alongside Cesar E. Chavez for equality and continues to drive people today in many ways. This phrase is also very powerful to me, as it has guided me through my involvement in the 10 community-playgrounds and skateparks that are being built to celebrate the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez.

I was preparing for a playground build in Puerto Rico, when I was asked to join an informational call about this unique program. As a Project Manager who has worked for KaBOOM! for almost two years, I have experienced a range of 28 projects in 20 states, but I had never led a program of this magnitude.

The concept originated with Maria Shriver. She wanted to create 10 places for children to be children, 10 places of play across the state of California that would celebrate and honor the legacy of a very important American Hero, Cesar E. Chavez, while educating children and adults about his important work.

This partnership is a collaboration of CaliforniaVolunteers, Youth Service California, and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. The program will incorporate: a service-learning curriculum; an educational sign will be integrated into each park; community gardens; murals and other side projects that depict Cesar E. Chavez and his core values.

From San Diego to Sacramento, the legacy of the universal rights leader Cesar E. Chavez, is being brought to life as we work side by side with ten communities creating great places to play, that are designed by children and built by community volunteers. One playground is being built just blocks from Chavez’s family home in San Jose, another in San Francisco is being built on Cesar Chavez Avenue and the playground in Mecca involves the creators of a documentary that was filmed about the life of Cesar E. Chavez and based in the community!

From the moment I embarked on this project, I have been repeatedly touched by the stories I have heard from the family and friends of Chavez. From what I have learned about Cesar E. Chavez and the passion that guided his life, I have no doubt that he would be extremely pleased to know that these playgrounds will serve as community gathering places where 100,000+ children will play and learn with their families.

Cesar E. Chavez lived his life following the guidance of 10 core values: Service to others, Sacrifice, A Preference to Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance, Respect for Life and the Environment, Community, Knowledge, and Innovation. I wonder how learning about these core values will impact the kids throughout the state, what heroes will develop on these playgrounds as the kids negotiate acceptance and choose non-violent actions when someone cuts in front of them on the way to the slide. How many kids will innovate and prove their knowledge on these playgrounds? How might the leaders-in-training remember reading the timeline of Chavez’s life as they play imaginary games of being a doctor or teacher or other such servant to those in need? I wonder how many kids will pretend to be a farmer, or reenact the community leader marching the 250 miles to the capital. I wonder if they will look differently at the grapes given to them for a snack.

In the last months, I personally gathered as much information as I could about Cesar E. Chavez. I spoke to various people about their connections to Chavez, about the struggles they faced and Chavez’s affect on them. I read, watched videos and went on road trips to visit locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to view different Chavez themed murals. I have been inspired. As each project kicked off at 10 different sites, with 10 different teams led by 10 different KaBOOM! Project Managers, I kept thinking, “Sí se Puede!” It has become my new motto. Cesar E. Chavez is such a powerful hero.

Jen DeMelo
KaBOOM! Project Manager

A Legacy of Volunteering

2007-02-28T14:21:00.001-08:00

Service for others has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother and grandmother were instrumental in my initiation into the volunteering world in two powerful ways. My mother would drag me along, sometimes literally, to tons of events from the Special Olympics, to fun runs, to bake sales to community clean-ups always making sure I was involved in something. Over the years I was exposed to many realities, most which are shielded from an upper-middle class child from the suburbs. I was able to witness first hand the depth of homelessness in Sacramento, the struggle of single parents trying to support their children and witness the strength of children living with HIV/AIDS. Without my mother I would have never recognized the many blessings in my life and the need to share them.

Through my grandmother I was exposed to life in an inner city community and the positive effect that one caring woman can have on her neighbors. Watching my grandmother give her time, money and life to the inner city community of Oak Park in Sacramento, CA has made a tremendous impact on my life. Although my grandmother never spoke of the importance of volunteering, her life long actions have showed me that the smallest gifts can give children the biggest smiles, the amount of respect a 5 foot woman can demand from anyone and the kind of heart it takes to raise someone else’s children as your own.

Through my mother and grandmother I have realized two important things about myself - that not caring is not an option and working to gain for personal benefit just doesn’t feel right. It was these realizations that weighed on my heart and mind after college. The lure of money and comfort, although tempting at times didn’t shake my destined commitment to serve others. After much internal deliberation I came to the conclusion that I would be a career volunteer, using non-profits as a vessel to aid my community, my country and the world anyway I could.

It only struck me after college to make a career out of volunteering. Since college, I have had the opportunity to work with the YMCA in Honolulu, HI as a youth worker and start the process of applying to the Peace Corps. St. HOPE Academy in Sacramento, CA has been a major source of support in the realization of my dream by allowing me to test and hone my leadership skills serving as an AmeriCorps member in their Neighborhood Corps program. Serving as their Volunteer Coordinator for the 2006-07 program year, I am able to gain valuable skills that will only enhance my experience abroad. Also, their commitment to the revitalization of Oak Park is a mission close to my heart as I feel I am carrying on my grandmother’s work and continuing the legacy of volunteerism that my mother has established for my family.

Kauleen Maunard
AmeriCorps Member 2006-07
Neighborhood Corps

The Power of Service

2007-02-28T14:21:00.000-08:00

Providing service to others was an escape for me. I was brought up with limited opportunities, but an abundance of disfunctionality and disappointments, which instilled a sense of hopelessness in me. I was seeking to help others not realizing I desperately wanted to help myself.

Growing up in a city like San Francisco it was easy to find communities that needed me as much as I needed them; I just had to put myself out there. By becoming involved with service through AmeriCorps, windows of opportunities opened, and provided me with a way out of an unhealthy, uncomfortable state of mind. Before my involvement with AmeriCorps, I wasn’t aware of the many positive organizations dedicated to providing youth like me with the support and resources needed for a chance at a better future.

Through my involvement with service and AmeriCorps, I not only helped myself, but I also was able to guide and empower others. Let me tell you, there is nothing like empowering another human being. Through service, I have been engaged with amazing non-profit organizations and remarkable people of all ages throughout San Francisco. Service to my community has become a way of life for me; through service to others, I have learned so much about myself and all that I am capable of. Everyone is capable, no matter their circumstances, to help another person.

Everyone has something to offer and there’s definitely someone out there who needs you. Service to others is contagious and extremely addicting. My addiction is tutoring. I absolutely enjoy sharing knowledge with the youth I tutor. The amazing youth I’ve connected with never stop teaching me something new. Every time I am given the opportunity to interact with young minds I walk away a more conscious, loving and hopeful being.

Volunteering, service, helping, whatever you want to call it, is beneficial in so many ways. Beside the great experience and knowledge gained, I have also established great relationships with people who also know the importance of community involvement and empowerment. Service to others is as necessary for our well being as it is for the people being empowered. It's time we all discover the power of service.

Elizabeth Marie Lopez
AmeriCorps Member 2002-2004
CaliforniaVolunteers Youth Commissioner

CaliforniaVolunteers

2007-02-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

Hello, I'm Karen Baker, the executive director of CaliforniaVolunteers. In talking with people about volunteerism over the years, I have found that most of them are interested, but don't really know how to get started. Where should you go to find volunteer opportunities in your community? My impression is that most people really want to give of their time, help out others in need, and connect with the greater community in which they live. However, many are prevented from getting plugged in with their local nonprofits due to their heavily scheduled and fast-paced lives. They simply don't know where to start nor do they have the time to figure it out.

CaliforniaVolunteers.org, a new online tool to match individuals with volunteer opportunities in their communities, eases these challenges. You can literally spend about 5 minutes on CaliforniaVolunteers.org and find multiple and varied volunteer opportunities for you and/or your family with nonprofits right in your community. CaliforniaVolunteers.org utilizes technology to include nonprofits from around the state, some of which might not otherwise be able to publicize their volunteer opportunities. CaliforniaVolunteers.org is able to connect the state's nonprofits with Californians who are ready and willing to help.

We at CaliforniaVolunteers are excited about the launch of CaliforniaVolunteers.org. We think it will make a difference in connecting nonprofit organizations with the great people of California. Of course, this would not have been possible without the guidance and support of our funders and partners. We hope that you find CaliforniaVolunteers.org to be a valuable resource for you and your family!

Karen Baker
Executive Director
CaliforniaVolunteers