Empowering Creativity: A Volunteer’s Passionate Journey with Art in Action
Meet Avery, a rising junior at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, she has been making waves in the community through their passion for art and volunteerism. Avery’s journey with art began at a young age when Art in Action visited her school, sparking a lifelong love for creativity. Now, she is giving back to the organization that ignited their artistic passion.
Avery's High School provides a variety of opportunities to explore the arts including woodshop, metal shop, and performing arts. This supportive learning environment has fueled Avery’s enthusiasm for all things creative. Motivated by a desire to give back, Avery started a project to support Art in Action’s mission, hoping to offer others the same opportunities that have such a profound impact on their life.
The Reward of Giving Back
For Avery, the most rewarding part of volunteering has been knowing that her efforts help others access the joys of creativity. “It’s really nice to give people the opportunity to experience art, whether they connect with it or not,” Avery shared. Teaching art classes to kids and witnessing the joy it brings them has been a particularly fulfilling aspect of her volunteer work.
Memorable Milestones
Avery’s journey with Art in Action has been filled with memorable moments. From the excitement of receiving an email from Mary, Art in Action’s Executive Director, to involving their school’s Public Purpose Program, Avery has achieved significant milestones. She successfully organized her friends to help pack art supplies and raised funds to bring art to underserved children in San Francisco. One notable achievement was packing 325 art kits, with plans to pack even more using the remaining funds she raised.
Overcoming Challenges
Like any meaningful journey, Avery’s efforts have not been without challenges. Coordinating with classrooms proved difficult, as teachers are often busy and responses can be slow. To address this, Avery shifted their focus to donating art kits to homeless shelters and other community organizations, finding this approach more effective. Additionally, raising funds and managing communications required perseverance and adaptability.
Advice for Aspiring Volunteers
Avery encourages others to pursue volunteer projects they are passionate about. “Having a vision and setting goals is crucial,” Avery advises. She emphasizes the importance of being organized and keeping track of progress. Avery also highlights the value of developing new skills, such as crafting effective emails and confidently asking for support.
Balancing Commitments
Balancing school, volunteering, and other commitments is no easy feat, but Avery manages by leveraging the ebb and flow of their school’s workload. During lighter weeks, the high schooler focuses on advancing their volunteer work, while during busier periods, they scale back to maintain balance. The summer months offer additional time to dedicate to her projects.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Avery plans to continue their volunteer work with Art in Action, aiming to distribute more art kits throughout the Bay Area and beyond. She is exploring opportunities to support low-income and immigrant children through a camp in Chinatown and considering international outreach efforts.
Making a Difference
Avery’s dedication to bringing art into the lives of children has already made a significant impact. She describes the joy and gratitude expressed by recipients of the art kits, emphasizing the importance of these creative opportunities. This project has not only enriched Avery’s personal and professional life but has also inspired others to get involved.
Avery’s journey with Art in Action is a testament to the power of creativity and community service. Their story reminds us of the profound impact one person can have when they channel their passion into helping others. Through her dedication and hard work, Avery is making the world a more colorful and joyful place, one art kit at a time.
