Volunteer Stories

for the last couple of years, i’ve found myself stuck in this cycle—i keep asking myself how can i help? i’m spending 2-3 nights a week volunteering, mostly with food distribution and a bit of crisis helpline support, and while i know these things matter in a broader sense, i can’t shake the feeling that it’s just a drop in an ocean that keeps rising. i log off or pack up at the end of my shift, exhausted, but with this nagging voice in my head: did i really make any difference today?? it’s hard to measure impact when the problems seem to grow faster than the solutions we’re offering. sometimes, it feels like i’m patching up a leak with a bandaid while the whole dam’s about to burst; do you ever feel like that? it’s not like i’m looking for praise or thanks, just… wondering if the hours i give, the energy i pour in, really move the needle at all.

at the helpline, we’re trained to listen without judgment, to offer support and guidance without crossing professional boundaries. i think i’m good at that—keeping my voice steady, offering practical resources, knowing when to gently nudge a caller towards seeking professional help or when to just listen. but when i hang up, there’s this wave of doubt that hits me: what if i missed something important? what if i could’ve done more? the same happens during food distribution; i hand over bags of essentials, smile, say a few words of encouragement, but then i wonder if it’s enough to keep someone afloat, even for a few days. there’s this constant tension between the immediate need in front of me and the bigger, systemic issues that make people need those services in the first place. how do you balance that?

sometimes, after a particularly tough shift, i’ll get home, sit down with a cup of tea, and my mind just races. it’s not always the stories i’ve heard—though those stay with me—it’s more this underlying frustration that keeps bubbling up. i’m so aware of how small my role is in the grand scheme of things, and yet, the emotional toll it takes feels disproportionately heavy. am i doing this for them, or for myself? does volunteering ease my own conscience more than it eases their burdens? that’s a question i keep coming back to, and it’s uncomfortable. 😔 i think most people who volunteer ask themselves this at some point, right? it’s human to want to feel useful, to feel like we’re part of the solution. but when the scale of the problem is so massive, is it arrogant to think i’m making a dent at all?

the people i work alongside are some of the most dedicated, compassionate, and resilient folks i’ve ever met. we share a quiet solidarity, a kind of unspoken understanding that what we’re doing matters, even if we don’t always see the results. we joke, we vent, we lift each other up during tough shifts, but we also carry the weight of knowing that there’s always more to be done. i’ve seen colleagues burn out, step away, because the load became too heavy to bear. and honestly, i’ve felt that pull myself—there are nights when i think about just stopping, just reclaiming those hours for rest or personal time. yet, i keep showing up. not because i think i’m some hero, but because, despite everything, there’s this stubborn hope that maybe, just maybe, tonight’s shift will make a difference for someone.

i guess what i’m trying to say is, i don’t have the answers. i don’t know if what i’m doing is enough, or if it ever will be. but i know that doing nothing isn’t an option i can live with. it’s not about fixing everything—that’s impossible. it’s about doing what i can, with what i have, for as long as i can. still, i wonder: is that enough? does any of this resonate with you? do you ever ask yourself how you can help, and if the help you offer really matters in the end? 🥺 maybe the real question is, how do we keep going when it feels like we’re not getting anywhere?

it’s been six months since I moved to New York City, and I can’t shake this feeling of loneliness. being 29 and living in such a bustling city is supposed to be exciting, right? well, I thought so too. As I walk around the streets filled with lively faces and vibrant energy, I find myself feeling disconnected and isolated. the sheer size of the city amplifies my loneliness; it’s ironic how one can feel so alone in a crowd. sometimes, I wonder if others feel the same way; do they also walk around with an invisible barrier between themselves and the world around them?

to combat this loneliness, I decided to engage in some volunteer work. I thought that maybe helping others would not only distract me from my own feelings but also help me connect with new people. I signed up at a local food bank and participated regularly, serving meals and sorting donations. while it was fulfilling to see the smiles on people's faces, I still returned home feeling hollow. the relationships formed during those moments were fleeting and shallow; it’s not like I was building lasting connections. I had hoped for more than just a brief encounter; I wanted to form friendships and find a sense of belonging. instead, I left with the same heavy heart, counting the days since I moved to this city.

during my time volunteering, I made small talk with a few people, sharing brief exchanges and pleasantries. however, I would return to my empty apartment, and the silence would feel deafening. it seems that despite the efforts I had put into trying to engage with others, I still found myself without real friends or a support system. I have considered joining clubs or classes, but the thought of walking into a room full of strangers is daunting, and I often find myself hesitating. does everyone feel this uncertainty when meeting new people? am I the only one struggling to find my place in a city that never sleeps? 🤔

even though the loneliness has been overwhelming, I refuse to let it consume me. I remind myself that I chose to live in New York City for a reason, and I believe that the opportunities for connection are boundless. I have been exploring new hobbies, such as painting and attending community events, and while I have yet to forge lasting friendships, I remain hopeful. each day brings new possibilities; it’s a matter of putting myself out there. perhaps it is just a matter of time; I trust that with patience, I will find my tribe. the journey towards connection can be incredibly challenging, but I strive to remain positive and cultivate a sense of gratitude for the experiences I have had so far.

in conclusion, my loneliness has led me to reflect on myself and what I truly desire from my life in this magnificent city. I acknowledge the pain of feeling disconnected, yet I see it as a stepping stone towards personal growth. while the struggles may feel heavy now, I am motivated to keep moving forward and seek connections that will enrich my life. ultimately, I know I am not alone in my journey. so, if you find yourself feeling lonely too, how do you cope with it? what steps do you take to connect with others? let's find solace in sharing these experiences, for perhaps together we can navigate this vast city and create meaningful connections in the process; you never know what could be just around the corner.

ok so like YES I definitely wanna make money not only bc I wanna spend it on what I want to spend on but also like I WANNA GET AWAY FROM MY PARENTSSS Okk like ofc ive looked online. Sooo like but I’m tryna get into digital marketing so selling products online? But my problem is what are ONLINE products people actually want ?? abd where to sell ? (But tbh ive got an idea on how to do that ) Okk so i wanna use my PayPal account for money but with how strict PayPal is w minors broo I might lose all my money😭🙏 so any suggestions?? So I was also considering yt but it gonna take A WHILE before I get 1k subs AND I gotta get views. The only ive actually made is from survey WHICH TAKE LIKE A MONTH TO DO BRO . (But altleast it’s something ❤️‍🩹) Okk so like the ‘grownups’ or literally someone in my situation that wants to make money young so any advice?? Like about digital marketing or literally anything else?

Ok but back to my parents tho LIKE I WANNA MOVE OUT WHEN I CAN BUTTT like wgen I do make money I cane across a video about u actually have to pay taxes even when online. BRO IDK HOW TO FLIPPING DO THAT LIKE AND IF I GET MAIL MY PARENTS ARE SURE TO FIND OUT. Also like I’m an immigrant, so if imma move out what’s gonna happen like how would things work out?? I’m not very educated on visas😭

I’m young, but not young enough where I’m selfish or make fun of kids. But I’m not grown enough to do things without being told “your way to young to be even thinking about doing something like that”. But I have a massive heart. I really hate it sometimes, for example, this one kid, small about 4’11 maybe shorter, super skinny, red head, loves dinosaurs and kid things, (he’s around 11-13) his heart definitely hasn’t even been scratched. Super sweet kid, mostly quiet, reminds me of my younger siblings. I was volunteering at a school musical and he was there. First couple days he didn’t have a lunch or dinner ( the musical stayed from 3pm-7pm and dinner was at 630pm and we left at 7pm) he always looked so hungry and was always eyeing everyone’s food like he was starving, I felt so bad I started crying and I felt so bad even though I had nothing to do with it. Then his parent didn’t pick him up (I leave at 8pm) and I felt so bad. Like my heart was aching so badly for him. He looked so sad and disappointed that no one picked him up yet. I feel so bad for him and want to help him or eat lunch with him or get him lunch. But I act all tough infront of my friends and I just can’t bring myself to help or do anything. He’s a super sweet kid and I just wanna give him a huge hug.

Tuesday 4:48-4:57 February 4th.

I’m 14 and was volunteering at a musical. Devon asked for me the first time asking me to bring el to him and that I can’t tell anyone and to make sure she’s alone (she’s in tech) she said she had beef with him and didn’t wanna go alone so she brought leelind (10th grader also in tech) el said that he looked like he wanted to say something then leelind walked in and she asked about a student. Then he asked Tristan (in tech) to bring me (Kiera) to him. I walked in and said “what do you need” and he responded with “I don’t know how to ask you this but, I can’t get bricked. I’ve been sitting here trying to and I can’t get bricked.” And I said “ok? What am I supposed to do about your problem.” And he changed the subject by saying “has anyone uhh you know, hit a home run? (Basically asking me if I have had sex.) you know what mean right?” Then my friend Asten walked in and he completely changed the subject and then I paused to think about what I should do. I wanted to get out of the situation so I said “oh my mom’s calling me.” Then I left the room to call my mom and have her pick me up, but when. I called her Devon was waiting around the Corner for me to be done. I went into the back room where Eli was and told him what was happening and Ashton came in so I also told her. Eli then starting following me around to make sure Devon would stop following me. My mom was on her way and as I picked up my backpack he asked “do you wanna have sex” I told him no and that I had a boyfriend then he started asking who and followed me out. Luckily Eli Humphrey (in tech) followed me out to make sure Devon didn’t, luckily Devon stopped following me and then Eli made a comment saying “freaking pervert” acknowledging that Devon was being weird and harassing me. I then sprinted out of the school to my dad

In our family gatherings, it's almost a given that I, an 18-year-old female, will end up supervising my nieces and nephews. It’s become an unspoken rule because my older siblings took care of me when I was younger, and now I'm supposed to return the favor.

I actually enjoy spending time with them—they’re a bunch of well-mannered kids when they're with me, mostly because I made it clear early on that I wasn't someone to be trifled with. When it comes to laying down the law, I'm pretty straightforward.

As far as babysitting rules go, I’m pretty lax. Some might say too lax, but my philosophy is simple: I ensure they're safe and happy, but I'm not about to enforce a mile-long list of do's and don'ts. For instance, if a parent insists on a vegan diet, they need to provide the food because otherwise, it’s going to be pizza or something equally non-vegan. And as for screen time, unless specific media is provided, my go-to might be anything from mainstream animated movies to popular kids’ shows.

My parents have tried to impress upon me the importance of sticking to the guidelines they or my siblings set, but my stance remains firm: why should I? What’s really at stake for me? If they decide to withhold babysitting privileges, that’d be a relief rather than a punishment!

We’re currently enjoying time in Jasper, where the weather's been scorching. To cool off, I took the kids cliff jumping at Horseshoe Lake, which they absolutely loved, despite returning home soaking wet and covered in dirt. This led to a chorus of complaints about my babysitting methods, to which I humorously offered a "full refund" of my free services before heading out to grab a beer with some new friends from the lake.

Financially, I’m set up pretty well. I earned a full scholarship for college and I received a small inheritance when I turned 18. It’s grown significantly over the years thanks to compound interest since it started accumulating when I was just three. Unlike my siblings, who received similar inheritances but haven’t seen the same growth, I don’t need to rely on financial support from my family. This independence also means their leverage over me is pretty limited.

My family views my attitude as entitlement, but I see it as self-respect, especially since I’m not being compensated for my time. I’m more than happy to respect any rule, as long as I’m paid appropriately to do so.

I sometimes wonder what it would be like if my family dynamics were broadcast on a reality TV show. Would the audience side with me for asserting my independence and standing my ground, or would they view me as the rebellious, ungrateful youngster refusing to respect my elders’ and parents’ wishes?

Not too long ago, I started volunteering at a nearby community hub that's typically frequented by seniors for bingo nights, a fact I know because my mom is the head organizer. What I didn’t realize until recently was that the same space doubles as a center for teenagers during the day.

Finding myself surrounded by hordes of adolescents aged between 13 and 17, I felt immediate anxiety creeping in. The staff welcomed me warmly, though, showing me around before assigning me to a small, busy room upstairs filled with games like pool, air hockey, and various board games. Though the space felt cramped with about 20 to 30 teens present, the atmosphere was initially manageable.

However, things took a turn when my colleague, perhaps overestimating my confidence from earlier when I corralled the group during a noisy interruption, left me alone in the room. I reassured them, perhaps too boldly, "Yeah, I can handle it." That's when I was hit by what felt like an onset of an anxiety attack.

In one corner, a young girl seemed visibly distressed near a boy, while elsewhere, some boys got somewhat rowdy, though not violently. The booming music compounded the chaos, catalyzing what felt like a wave of panic washing over me. As soon as my colleague returned, I excused myself for a quick break, stepping outside to gather my composure. Still rattled, I slipped back in, grabbed my belongings, gave a quick wave to a staff member, and exited through the back door, leaving the scene to return home.

Upon sharing the ordeal with my mom, she concluded that I had suffered a panic attack, a diagnosis that my frantic Google search later confirmed. It left me wondering if I was wrong to leave without notifying anyone fully about my state.

Imagining how this situation might have played out had it occurred in a reality show adds another layer of drama. Reality TV thrives on heightened emotional responses and unexpected events. Viewers might have sympathized with my overwhelmed state or criticized my abrupt departure. The editing might even spin the scenario to highlight the chaos, using it as a pivotal moment to enhance the narrative tension of the episode.

Am I a jerk for sneaking out without proper notice?

A couple of months back, I had a conversation with my former partner, Dave, about getting involved in charity work. To his astonishment, I confessed that I had never participated in any voluntary services. I believe in being transparent and maintaining open lines of communication, so I openly admitted that the idea of volunteering just doesn't appeal to me.

Although I wouldn’t mind supporting a charity financially, my current budget makes that tough. Dave suggested that I try volunteering instead. Once again, I expressed my lack of interest, which led us into a heated argument about whether donations or on-the-ground volunteering were more impactful. I think both hold significant value, yet he found it contradictory that I wouldn’t volunteer. Despite my efforts to keep the discussion respectful, it was clear that he was frustrated by my stance. I understand his frustration.

As for my indifference towards volunteering, I’m really not sure why I feel this way. I certainly don't think I'm lacking empathy or that I might be a sociopath; I just don’t find myself drawn to it. This issue has been weighing on my mind recently.

So, am I wrong for not wanting to volunteer?

Imagine if this was brought up in a reality show setting, how would the audience react? Seeing personal confessions unfold live can intensify reactions. Maybe they'd sympathize with my honesty or maybe they'd villainize me for not conforming to the expected norm of volunteerism. Reactions could swing widely from support to severe criticism, depending on how the dialogue is framed and who's watching.

Is it bad I don't want to volunteer?

Job opportunities had been slipping away from me recently, making it nearly impossible to secure a position due to the expanding void on my CV. To bridge this hiatus, I've started volunteering at a regional nonprofit organization.

Does this make me a bad individual because my motives aren't completely selfless? I mean, I'm trying to patch up my resume and keep my skills sharp too.

I wonder what would happen if this whole scenario unfolded on a reality TV show. Would the audience judge me for leveraging volunteer work to enhance my job prospects? Or would they support my approach to keeping active and contributing to society in whatever way I can, even if part of the reason is self-serving? It’s strange to think about how perspectives might shift under the spotlight of public scrutiny.

My wife is currently a teaching assistant for 7th grade while she's in college, aiming to become a full-time teacher. During summer, she enjoys volunteering at a camp for special needs students, which has never been an issue as our schedules matched. However, with COVID, I'm now working from home on different hours, and the camp is short on counselors. Lately, she's been asking me to help out in the mornings before my work starts, but I've been saying no because I prefer to relax before my job as a web designer.

This morning, after she asked again, we ended up in a heated argument. I told her that her volunteer "work" doesn't count as real work since she's not getting paid, and I'm the one bringing in money. I don't want to waste my energy on something that doesn't benefit us financially, especially when we have bills to pay.

She texted me saying she's disgusted with my behavior and plans to stay with another counselor at the camp for a few nights to think things over. Am I wrong here?

Imagine if this whole thing was on a reality show, how do you think people would react? Would they see my point or side with her?