Written by Lizette Fontane

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iving back to our communities represents how strong we can be if we work together. Acknowledging our dirty streets and those in need of our assistance will help us build a better and stronger environment for our families. Organizing and setting up a day with your friends or club members to clean up an area noticeably dirty, can make a huge difference if we all pitch in.

Mr. Michael Lossel, Lincoln’s Employer Outreach Specialist (located in the Career Center – Room 107), encourages Lincoln students to volunteer because it allows us to get in touch with our communities and learn how to make them a better and safer place. In order to graduate from Lincoln High, students need to complete 10 hours for each year in attendance. Lossel tries to inspire students to find volunteer work that seems interesting to them, “A person should do volunteer work that they enjoy, hours should not matter.”

The Lincoln High School ambassadors (also known as. the Homecoming Court) are partnering up with the local Jackie Robinson YMCA to start a new relationship with Lincoln High School and the community. Their goal is to not only help out the community, but to inspire other Lincoln students to volunteer and make a difference. Ana Tijerin, Volunteer Coordinator of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA says, “By volunteering, the students experience working with others and it teaches them how to be responsible, how to become adults and to prepare them to get a job in the future.” She also says that volunteering gives students the opportunity to experience career fields they never thought of, and it can help students with their resumes in the future. Depending on where you volunteer, the requirements may be different. Here are the requirements to volunteer at the

YMCA:

• Volunteer Application needs to be filled out completely before orientation
• Ages 16 and up
• Have to attend a one hour orientation
• Minors have to attend orientation with parent
• Orientation occurs every Wednesday 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• Paperwork/Background check is required
• Need to bring I.D, (California ID, Driver’s license, passport) and Social Security Card
• On-Line Child Abuse Prevention Video

Many students have the opportunity to volunteer and possibly get a job. This gives hopes to many students who struggle to find a job, or who do not have any work experience. Tijerin says, “In our branch, many volunteers have become staff just by showing the great work they do.” Volunteering allows students to learn and develop skills that will help them now and in the future when they apply for a job or even an internship.

San Diego has countless opportunities to volunteer and help fight a good cause. The Annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk is a magnificent experience with other people who are going through difficult times. You can help someone make their day better and put a smile on their face. My own personal experience was unforgettable because I was able to meet many survivors who were so cooperative and helpful with the organization and purpose of the walk. Many families came out to show their support. It was very inspirational to see how joyful people were and the positive attitudes they had while being a survivor or victim to cancer or affected by the disease.

Students can volunteer and help in their own communities. Here is a list of local places where you can volunteer:

• Jacobs Center- Provides community outreach events
• Tubman Chavez Center
• Any Elementary School (work with kids)
• Boys and Girls Club
• Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)
• Jackie Robinson Family YMCA

“One person is all it takes to make a difference. You can tell ten people about your experience and they can tell another ten, and more and more people will be persuaded to volunteer,” said Lossel. For more information, contact Mr.Lossel in the career center or come to the A.S.B. room during lunch for a list of local places.