You Generate A Brighter Future

Volunteer Basic Information

Name: Juan Rivera

Age: 32

City, State: Leominster, Massachusetts

Occupation: Volunteer Project Development Specialist

How long have you been a volunteer with Community Builders? I volunteered for four years with the organization.

What inspired you to become involved? I wanted to be a part of the solution to my community's issues.

How did you find out about the organization? I was volunteering with another organization that was funded by the United Way

Describe some of the activities and/or events you've been involved with. I've volunteered in the United Way's Annual Day of Caring for the past four years before being hired by the United Way. I provided the sound system and DJ services for the event as a volunteer.

What has been your most memorable experience with Community Builders? How they are able to mobilize so many individuals in the community to give back through service day projects through sunshine or rain.

How has your work with Community Builders impacted your life? Your community? It has given me the knowledge and understanding of how important it is to be engaged in your community. The impact to serve is all about what your day of services provides to the community as a whole. It makes me feel like it's my duty to help out in my community.

Can you describe a specific situation in your work with Community Builders where you helped someone? What was the result of your action(s)? I remember a time at one of the Day of Caring events I played a song that was requested by a young woman and she started to cry and when the song ended, she told me that that song helped her through so much and then she thanked me for being there to play it. It made me feel like I was there for that moment for that purpose to be part of her journey. It gives me goose bumps thinking about it.

What advice or tips would you offer to someone who is considering volunteering but hasn't taken the first step to do so yet? Volunteering is the greatest payment you can receive in life because the payment you get is not material, it's what it does to your soul and after you help others it stays with you for life.