My Nonprofit Reviews

What a week of witnessing and experiencing transformation through community and empowerment!!! Perhaps the only way to explain what I love so much about Cantera is to explain what I have struggled with in other volunteer groups, both informal and formal. I have witnessed first hand instances where well-intentioned people actually hinder or hurt the individual in need. The helper/volunteer seems to consume the interaction with the busyness of "doing" and moves their own agenda forward. In those instances, the person in need almost becomes a bystander in their own life as the helper consumes the interaction. I walk away from these interactions frustrated, deflated, and ultimately disappointed. At Cantera, however, what appears to be at the core of their volunteer efforts is the fundamental belief in the power of each individual; and that as individuals, we are the best authors of our destiny. As such, volunteer efforts necessarily shift from a "doing for"mindset to one that encourages, builds, strengthens, and develops that which is innate in each one of us. This shift is life-giving and gives rise to self-sustaining communities instead of dependence on the helper. LOVED LOVED LOVED being a part of this!!

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