Growing up in a very traditional Latino household, going to Church was emphasized every Sunday. Attending mass, Sunday School, and becoming involved with the Church is mandatory in my family. As a requirement to getting confirmed, young adults must volunteer at  Parker Jewish Institution. This involved bringing down the elderly to attended mass and then wheeling them back to their rooms. After I was confirmed, I continued to volunteer at the Parish Office, where I assisted in the running of Sunday School.

I know that my experience in volunteering hasn’t been vast, but I’d like to think that I’ve contributed to my community in a way that is larger than myself. To me, community service is trying to outreach to others who aren’t as fortunate as you, giving a helping hand to those who need assistance, or simply contributing to your community that will ensure a better life to those who will come after you. These are important values to have especially when the lines seem to blur between what’s  most beneficial for us at the moment and what will guarantee a better quality of life for others. This is a principle that is strongly emphasized in the Honors Program. It is vital to continue to give something back to those who helped in your development, because without your community and the environment they provided, you probably wouldn’t be where you are now. The Honors program highlights the importance of making change in communities for the better, and keeping a balance in what you achieve and what you’re able to contribute.

While I have yet to contribute to the broader community as a Baruch Scholar, I am excited to see in which ways I can help improve the lives of others.  I am sure that through this community service project, I will be able to help of individuals who I am not regularly in contact with in my small community!