North County LGBTQ Resource Center Volunteer – 

What the Organization Does: This is a non-profit organization serving the (L)esbian, (g)ay, (T)ransgender, (B)isexual, and (Q)uestioning (LGBTQ) community of North County, San Diego. This organization connects individual to informed healthcare, counseling, and housing assistance, aids with legal documentation and advocacy, creates educational events, and provides a safe space for the LGBTQ community.  

What I did: I was an administrative volunteer. I helped with the creation of legal documentation for clients, set appointments, and provided educational materials. Along with this I also did basic tasks such as answering phones, general filing, and computer database management. 

What I Gained: This experience opened my eyes to a lot of the injustices facing the LGBTQ community in the U.S., even in areas considered to be safe for the community, and the barriers they face, not only socially but legally as well. I learned about the inner workings of advocacy groups, day to day functioning, event planning, marketing and fundraising. 

U.S. Navy & Marine Corps School of Music – 

What the Organization Does: The Navy & Marine Corps School of Music is a military job-training institution. Recent boot-camp graduates are sent to these types of schools to learn how to do their jobs while in military service. This one specifically trains members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp who will become bandsmen. 

What I did: My role with this organization was a volunteer wellness instructor. My primary function was to teach yoga and meditation to help reduce the stress of U.S. Marines and Sailors.

What I Gained: This experience showed me the types of stressors that young military members faced and helped me learn how to develop wellness programs that fit their needs. As a community, the military has specific needs, and a communication style specific to military culture. This experience taught me about building trust in a community that I was not part of.