This week, we talked about what holds us back from getting involved in community issues by donating our time. Although we faced obstacles, doubts that we didn't know enough or weren't good enough, and fears about being pushed outside our comfort zones, we have all gotten involved in causes that matter to us. Here's what several students had to say:
" A girl came to talk to my AP Literature class around this time last year to share a cause which she had been a part of. This cause is called Youthlinc, and its purpose is to involve students in service both locally and internationally. I was intrigued, but wasn't sure I would be able to complete the daunting 80 hours of service required to be a member. When someone told me they thought I couldn't handle it, I decided to take the challenge. I became actively involved in a tutoring organization at my school and NAC helping an autistic girl learn to ski. I fundraised all of the money I needed to get me to service trip in Nepal in July and in the process, fell in love with service."
"In February 2017, I received tragic news that a good friend of mine was killed when a drunk driver hit him while he walked home from Brewfest. I was completely overcome with grief, and considered canceling an upcoming solo live art show I was scheduled to host. Instead of crumbling under the obstacle of my emotional turmoil, I channeled that energy into producing something positive from something negative. I dedicated my art show to my late friend, and turned it into a benefit event to raise money to help his family with his funeral expenses. I had no idea how to go about this, but taking it one step at a time, I accomplished more than I realized I was capable of. I wrote a press release and sent it to every newspaper, news channel and radio station I could think of in Missoula. The story appeared in the Missoulian, announced on 4 radio stations and I was interviewed by our local NBC news with a 2 minute spot on the 5pm Friday night news. I made posters and flyers about the dangers of drunk driving to post around town and hand out at the event. The art show was a success as we raised money for my departed friend's family, and raised community awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. I had no experience putting on a benefit event, but my willingness to do whatever I could was enough."
"When I first began volunteering in the activities program at a nursing home a number of years ago, I was extremely uncomfortable. These feelings stemmed from some of the other obstacles the author listed: not feeling good enough, being uncertain, wanting to wait for a better time, etc. After going the first time, I felt I had not made a significant impact. I hadn't talked much with the residents because I was shy. I wanted to remain in my comfort zone and talk only with people I knew, and as I didn't know any of the residents that wasn't anyone. After going back a few times and pushing myself through the discomfort, I landed back in the comfort zone. However this comfort zone was not the same one as before: I felt even better about what I was doing. I was finally a companion rather than a statue. Now, viewing discomforting situations as those which lie between me and more comfortable ones helps me to steer into them rather then away from them. I chose to see them as rungs on a latter propelling me forward, rather then obstacles holding me back. I'm still a resident of the comfort zone, I just try to step outside every so often."
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