I saw myself reflected as I watched the clients coming in the door. You see, the very nonprofit I work for put me in a place where I now can donate to additional organizations. Not too long after leaving college, I found myself without steady work. My family had to put the home up for a short sale and it was really a time to begin again with a clean slate.
My third temp assignment brought me to YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. I'll never forget the way my heart stuttered as I was looking around the lobby. There were posters on the wall that all involved women being their own champion, what equality between genders meant, etc. Each photo was black and white.
There was a particular woman who's facial expression contained the same mix of pain and determination I was battling. The woman that would become my immediate supervisor, Danette, welcomed me in such a place of honest care that made me feel like this might be the moment my life gets power back.
Fast forward a few years later and I'm still working for the organization. I love that YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is always working to create new programs that will fill the gaps we continue to see in the community. The staff work so hard to inspire and help each other as well. Because I think that's also an important factor--that the employees feel empowered enough to keep the cycle going.
I give to the YWCA, along with two other nonprofits because I know the struggles clients are coming to us for. I think that's something many nonprofit workers can relate to. I want the opportunity to uplift someone else in the same way that temp assignment gave me the ability to get my life back on track and help my family.
Review from #MyGivingStory