Three years ago, my husband, who works at the IFC, and I decided to come back to the DC area after living in Mexico City for 7 years. We had lived here before and had friends, so we were excited to come back.
Last year I reconnected with the WBFN. I registered for the Career Lab, which was a great experience, and started meeting people like me, who needed guidance and support to rethink their professional lives.
I also spoke with Carla, the WBFN Volunteer Coordinator, about the possibility of volunteering at the WBFN. It was through WBFN that in 2005, when I first arrived in the DC area, I met many of the friends that are still in my life today. It was also through a WBFN member that I learned about a volunteering opportunity at a non-profit organization in VA and got my first job in the area.
WBFN has given me the sense of community one needs when going through life changes. I know I can always count on this safe space to reimagine and recharge, to grow and accomplish new goals, and to meet wonderful people from around the world. Everyone you talk to has a story worth listening to and a story worth learning from. I am so grateful for the advice and resources I have received, which have made my life easier to walk through and allowed me to move forward.
When discussing volunteering options with Carla, she suggested the idea of starting a new project for WBFN members. She mentioned members' interest and enthusiasm for external volunteer engagement and community involvement beyond WBFN’s scope. This led to the creation of the Volunteer within the Community Initiative (VCI).
The initiative is built on a foundation of collaboration between WBFN and multiple nonprofit entities, aiming to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
The volunteer opportunities give our members a chance to connect with each other and work toward a shared goal. Helping others has a profoundly positive impact on mental health and well-being. It can boost confidence, provide a sense of purpose, enhance self-worth, reduce feelings of loneliness, and help individuals develop new skills.
Since November 2024, VCI volunteers have donated their time once a month, participating in various community events. Our first experience was at Mary’s Center, where we packed bags with canned food and distributed turkeys to families in need for Thanksgiving dinner. Similarly, our team of volunteers has served lunch to homeless and low-income individuals at SOME (So Others Might Eat), providing a warm meal and a sense of dignity to those in need.
This March, we are partnering with Community of Hope for a Household Items Drive. Our members' contributions will support families participating in their housing programs.
VCI volunteers are compassionate, kind people who are interested in making a difference in people’s lives. I am very grateful to all who have participated in this volunteering project to build better and stronger communities. When we acknowledge that we are part of the same community, when we offer a smile to someone who is struggling, when we are there, serving food or donating items, we are saying “I see you”, “you matter to me”. Like us, they also deserve a safe place to rebuild their lives. This is the power of community.
These are some quotes from our volunteers:
“What I loved most about it was the sense of community it created. Working with the other members of the WBFN and connecting with the people we are helping, made it feel like we are all in this together. Also, the feeling of being part of something bidder than yourself, and knowing you are helping bring some change, was truly special” (Ilgin Eroglu Alyanak)
“I appreciated so much the last volunteering at SOME. It made my day valued and I liked the way we have been so dedicated and supportive. I will be happy to join the group next time” (Lucile Bationo)