BrewsterConnections - Brewster Academy

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HOOPLA A Life of Service A volunteer from a young age, Dominique Aubrey’s time at Brewster allowed her to continue helping others, a passion she continues to embrace. cause people distress or pain and wanted to fix them. In addition, my family was very giving and we often had exchange students and foster students stay with us, which gave me insight into other worlds and perspectives. Lastly, but probably as important, I am of Haitian decent (which is only more relevant now because of the recent earthquake). But when you are first generation (both my parents were born and raised in Haiti), even though you did not have the same struggles you understand struggle much more clearly. I believe that is one of the reasons why I always wanted to volunteer because I realized quickly that everyone is struggling in one way or another and sometimes all people need is a little help to make it through. I believe volunteering was and still is my way of giving back and thanking the world for my life and opportunities. I believe that volunteering is part of service and your “thank you” for being on this earth … especially if you are healthy and happy because you have even more to be thankful for. Dominique Aubrey ’02 is the director of talent, strategy, and operations for Teach For America Miami-Dade in Florida. She holds a master’s in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in political science from Lehigh University. She spent a year as a City Year AmeriCorps member, dedicating 1,700 hours of service teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students with emotional support needs. While a corps member she designed a service learning curriculum, implemented math and science programs, and designed, organized, and led a 300-person school-based service day. She serves on the boards of numerous professional organizations and associations, including the Brewster Academy Alumni of Color Group. Dominique is a shining example of serving herself and others with her best in all she does. 30 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011 What first attracted you to volunteering At what age did you start I think it is first important to note that if individuals are not naturally inclined to volunteer (through school or your parents or church or the Girl Scouts) they probably never will. It doesn’t mean that they do not care but that they would rather give their money than their time unless they have a particular cause that moves them enough to give of themselves. However, I find that to be rare. I started volunteering regularly in middle school. I was the president of Future Homemakers of America, and we went regularly to the local nursing home and played games with senior citizens. I think from a young age I always cared about issues that would When I got to Brewster I believe I started the first community service club under the tutelage of Mr. Radley, who was so kind and helpful that he made you want to help. Our first service project was volunteering at a nursing home every two weeks. I also connected with the local high school’s afterschool center where I would help out once a week for an hour or two. I even got Brewster to do a coffeehouse at the location with donations going to the center. We also did various candy and food drives for local nonprofits in the area. There were about 20 students in that club – I made everyone I could participate – and since volunteer hours were required, it worked out really well and people enjoyed it all around, which was the most important part. Often people don’t want to give, because they feel they have so little or they feel like they have their own issues and so they can’t or won’t help others. It was important for me to help students understand
why they volunteer and to make it as easy as possible for them to get involved. I hope this made a lasting impression on my peers. Gap Year with AmeriCorps After I graduated from Brewster, I deferred college for a year and became a City Year AmeriCorps member. I worked in Philadelphia teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students with emotional support needs. AmeriCorps members are required to participate in numerous community service opportunities as well as become engaged citizens (i.e., obtain a public library card, attend town hall meetings). I think that my experience during City Year solidified the relationship between volunteering and citizenship and what it means to actually be an engaged citizen. Engaged citizens are no longer outsiders or exempt from what is happening around them; they are not only part of the environment but they are part of the change and the solution to problems around them. Volunteering is a handson approach to understand the world and your relationship to it. If it does nothing else (not even help) it does show the individual a glimmer of the impact they can have and the joy they can bring. In its purest form volunteering is probably one of the few true win-win situations. Volunteering Takes Many Forms Upon beginning college at Lehigh University, the way in which I volunteered changed. It was no longer nursing homes and weekly tutoring. Instead, I became involved in many organizations supporting endeavors I cared about. As you volunteer more, you begin to understand where you fit and what your skill sets are. Volunteering is a great way to soul search. I began looking at how I could assist large institutions and ideological frameworks, how I could make a large-scale impact, and how I could affect decision making as a volunteer. Volunteering is not just about finding a cause to contribute your time; it also is about sharing your skills and adding value to an organization or institution simply because you care. At Lehigh I participated in the Association of Student Alumni, working to bring alumni back to campus. I also sat on the student judicial board wanting to contribute my student perspective and insight to the board. I was president of our campus step team, which was the first year my school had a multi-cultural step team, and we were asked to perform at various school events to exemplify diversity and camaraderie. I became the first and only student to sit on the University’s summer reading committee with all the school deans. I also created a multi-cultural recruitment program for which my alma mater used a template for a new position they created. Should students be required to volunteer Yes, the young should be required to volunteer and not just their time but also their efforts in finding solutions to problems. The beautiful thing about students is that they still have an imagination and can think of awesome ways to do things that reinvigorate adults. Though volunteering should be something that one chooses to do, I liken it to making children eat their vegetables; they may not want to but it’s a good thing. And, in a sense, even if students are reluctant about volunteering, often once they get involved most enjoy it and have a little fun. Volunteering should be something a young person is required to do until they leave college; it must become a habit. If an individual is not forced to see hardship then he or she is not likely to be grateful (unless they are extremely thoughtful) but most need one to understand the other, as most people see things and understanding things in dichotomies and simply cannot assess something without being able to assess the absence of that thing. Either way, it is important for all humans to feel heartbreak for another person who is unlike them for one reason or another, from that experience they realize that our humanness is what connects us to each other and are able to feel for them and experience empathy. Why do you volunteer I volunteer foremost because I believe it is a civic duty. Second, it is a way to share my God-given talents with the world, and third because it makes me feel good (and it helps the person on the other end). I give my time (and not money) because that is the way in which I believe I can have the most impact. Currently, I sit on a lot of organizations’ boards, helping them grow and become sustainable entities. I also help with event planning and community building. What advice do you have for the many folks who have busy lives I think like everything else, if you want something to get done you have to make it a priority. Choose one to three events or organizations to be involved with and help where you can. Many boards, organizations, and steering groups have committees where people can volunteer at a less formal and time-consuming level. For those who want to work directly with individuals contact a few organizations that serve children or the elderly and learn what some of the specific needs are. Perhaps they need a small donation basket for school supplies or volunteers to hand out water for a cancer walk. There are a million ways to get involved. The first step is acknowledging your interest to become a volunteer. Then consider what you like and find an organization that supports this interest. Next, look at your schedule to figure out when and where you can help. Don’t worry if what you like is obscure, there is always someone who is doing it – and if there is not, then it is a great place for you to build something new. What are your thoughts on the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps as possible alternatives to military service, and do you think individuals should be encouraged to volunteer for a year between high school and college I believe volunteering is great whatever the time. I volunteered between high school and college and it was a great time for reflective pause before I started my next journey in life. Although volunteering during this time is not for everyone, it can be helpful in framing and positioning their college experience. However, volunteering in any capacity, especially for a year will definitely increase a person’s level of civic engagement and this is always a good thing. And, yes, I support the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps as alternatives to military service. www.brewsteracademy.org 31
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BrewsterConnections - Brewster Academy

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