SERVICE

Why Volunteer?

Volunteer work for me has always been an important part of my journey as a leader. My commitment to volunteer work reflects my belief in the power of service as a tool for meaningful change. Giving back to your community is important because it allows individuals to directly support their communities, address inequities, and uplift those whose voices are often overlooked. Drew requires a set amount of community service hours because it empowers students to move beyond awareness and take action.

21Club Service Events

In my club, 21Club, service projects are one of the main requirements to continue serving in your club. We're required 2 service projects per semester by the 21st Century Leaders organization, yet the club has autonomy to decide what they shall do.

In Drew's 21Club, we decided to host a plethora of service projects, including cards for seniors, toy drive, MLK food packaging, and more! One of the biggest skills I learned as a leader is the responsibility of delegating tasks. As President, I polled the class to determine how'd they like to serve. Together, we researched local projects and communities to tend to. Each service project was well thought out, and engaged over 60% of the club in each event.

Pictured to the left, 21Club members attend a Christmas Toy Drive, helping packaging gifts for less fortunate kids in South Fulton. Members are also seen packaging rice and canned goods for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

CVI/CEISMC Events

As a Project Engages Research Intern, I collaborate with various students on Georgia Tech's campus. One of my responsibilities as an intern is to plan community events on GT's campus in partnership with the Center for the Visually Impaired and CEISMC.

Through these quarterly community events, I hosted robotics and STEM workshops for k-12 visually impaired and neurodivergent students and their families. I taught students how to listen to their muscle movement using electrode patches, stack plastic cups with prosthetic arms, and even build working solar cars.

This was an opportunity for me to understand how to continue leading and serving in a work community, even when monetary benefits aren't included. In science and healthcare, it's important to remember the why for your research. By leading these community events, I am reminded of the why of my research on amblyopia and neuroscience.

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