My mother taught me two important lessons that I continue to live by: education is the key to success and you should give back to your community. During my life, there have been great mentors who spent their time helping to shape my life. I have participated in community service efforts since I was in the third grade, so volunteering comes easy for me. I still remember one of my first volunteer experiences, which was preparing care packages at my elementary school. It is uplifting to see those same youth who I have mentored graduate from high school and college and remain great citizens in their community.
You and other North Carolinians have the opportunity to serve our children this week and help shape our future. As part of “United We Serve”, this week is Education Week, a time dedicated to serving in a variety of volunteer and continuous mentoring opportunities. This week, I will volunteer at Pearsontown Year Round Elementary School in Durham, which is where I started my education career as a teacher and will work with YO: Durham, a program for at-risk teens to learn about leadership and opportunities that exist beyond high school.
There are a variety of ways that you can give back, too. You can mentor and assist at a local school or community-based organization. To find mentoring and other education-related opportunities, visit www.serve.gov or contact a local school to see how you can volunteer. A person who cares can make a life-changing difference for a child. You can make the difference today during Education Week.