Ava Alston

I had the opportunity to serve with the Memphis Dream Center during their Back-to-SchoolSuccess event, and I am grateful to have been part of such a meaningful experience. From preparing backpacks and school uniforms to assisting families throughout our Memphis community, this event highlighted the importance of service, collaboration, and teamwork. Working alongside other volunteers toward a shared goal reminded me that meaningful community impact is created when individuals come together, contribute their strengths, and support one another. I am thankful for the opportunity to strengthen my teamwork and leadership skills while giving back to the community. Experiences like this continue to reinforce the value of serving others and working collectively to create positive change.

During this service experience, I strengthened my communication and organizational skills by working hands‑on to unpack boxes and sort food for children in need, which pushed me to think quickly and stay efficient in a fast‑paced environment. Serving directly in the community deepened my understanding of food insecurity and showed me how many families rely on local support systems, shifting my perspective on how important my role can be in addressing these issues. I also built meaningful connections with other Emerging Leaders, and collaborating as a team made the work more impactful and reminded me how much stronger service becomes when people support one another. My efforts contributed to the organization’s mission by helping ensure that resources were distributed smoothly and effectively, and the staff guided us with clear instructions that made the process purposeful. One unexpected challenge was managing the large volume of donations, but I overcame it by staying adaptable and communicating with my team. Overall, the experience aligned with my values of service and leadership, and in the future I would focus even more on efficiency and planning so I can contribute at an even higher level.

Through this service experience, I strengthened my ability to communicate clearly and confidently to a crowd, especially when speaking on the spot and presenting ideas with active, intentional communication. The experience pushed me to think quickly and solve problems in real time, while also deepening my understanding of how young teens process emotions, nerves, and new environments. I gained insight into the community I served and became more aware of the social dynamics that shape their experiences. Along the way, I reconnected with former teachers and expanded my network, forming relationships that may influence future opportunities for involvement. My contribution—leading the group through a PowerPoint presentation—supported the organization’s mission and helped me grow as a communicator. I also explored new networking opportunities through the guidance and support the organization provided. Although I faced unexpected challenges, such as adjusting to the group’s energy and staying adaptable, I overcame them by staying patient and grounded in my values. Overall, the experience aligned with my belief in service and leadership, and in the future, I would focus even more on preparation and flexibility to make an even stronger impact.

Through this service experience, I strengthened my ability to work with kids and communicate efficiently, especially when adapting to their different personalities and needs. It challenged my problem‑solving skills by requiring me to stay patient, think quickly, and adjust my approach in real time. I also gained a deeper understanding of how important reading is for today’s youth and how much early literacy shapes confidence and learning. Serving in this environment taught me more about the community and helped me see my role as someone who can support and encourage younger students. I formed new connections with teachers from the Tipton County area, which expanded my network and may open doors for future involvement. My service contributed to the organization’s goals by helping guide students and support their learning, and the staff provided helpful direction throughout the experience. Although I faced unexpected challenges, such as keeping students engaged and managing different energy levels, I overcame them by staying flexible and grounded in my values. Looking ahead, I would focus on preparing even more activities and strategies so I can make an even stronger impact in future service opportunities.

Through this service experience, I strengthened my ability to use problem‑solving skills in real time, especially when working with kids and adapting to their needs. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was seeing little girls’ confidence grow as they walked across the stage, which helped me better understand the social importance of encouragement and positive role models in youth development. This also taught me more about the community I served and reminded me how powerful small moments of support can be. I worked alongside others throughout the event, forming connections that made the experience more collaborative and enjoyable. My service contributed to the organization’s goals by helping create a positive, uplifting environment for the participants, and the organizers provided helpful guidance along the way. Although I faced unexpected challenges—like keeping the event running smoothly and adjusting to quick changes—I overcame them by staying flexible and focused on the purpose of the day. The experience aligned with my values of service and empowerment, and in the future, I would prepare even more strategies to support the kids and help the event flow even better.

Through this service experience, I strengthened my communication skills by learning how to engage young children, adjust my tone, and keep their attention while reading aloud. It challenged my problem‑solving abilities in small but meaningful ways, like adapting when students became excited or distracted and finding creative ways to keep them involved. Serving as the Who Am I guest reader also deepened my understanding of how representation and storytelling shape children’s confidence and cultural awareness, especially during Black History Month. I learned more about the school community and saw how much joy and curiosity young students bring to learning, which made me feel more connected to my role in uplifting and supporting them. I formed positive relationships with teachers and staff, and working alongside them made the experience feel collaborative and welcoming. My service supported the school’s mission by promoting literacy and celebrating cultural pride, and the staff guided me throughout the process to make sure the experience was meaningful for the students. Although I faced small challenges—like managing nerves and adjusting to the fast pace of a kindergarten classroom—I overcame them by staying flexible and focused on the purpose of the visit. The experience aligned with my values of education, service, and representation, and in the future, I would prepare even more interactive reading strategies to make an even stronger impact.

Through the Cozy For A Cause event, I strengthened my teamwork, communication, and organizational skills. Since we were split into groups to make blankets, I had to clearly communicate with others to divide tasks, stay organized, and work efficiently. I also improved my ability to follow instructions carefully and manage my time so that our group could complete our blankets properly. This experience helped me become more patient and detail-oriented while working toward a shared goal. This experience taught me that many people in our community lack access to necessities that provide comfort and warmth. Making blankets for those in need showed me how something that seems simple to me can mean so much to someone else. It helped me better understand the struggles faced by individuals experiencing hardship and made me more aware of how important community support is for their well-being. I worked as part of a team, and that made the experience much more meaningful. Everyone had a role in the blanket-making process, and we had to rely on one another to complete each step correctly. Working together created a positive environment and helped us stay motivated. The teamwork also made the event more enjoyable and showed me how much more we can accomplish when we support one another. By helping create blankets and care kits, I directly contributed to the organization’s mission of providing comfort, care, and support to people in need. The blankets we made will be given to individuals who may not have access to warmth or basic resources, which aligns with the organization’s goal of spreading compassion and meeting immediate community needs. My participation helped ensure that more people could be served. One unexpected challenge was making sure the blankets were assembled correctly and neatly, since some steps were unfamiliar to me. At first, I was unsure about certain parts of the process, but I overcame this by asking questions, watching others, and practicing until I felt confident. This taught me the importance of being willing to learn and not being afraid to seek help when needed.

Helping set up the Christmas store strengthened my organizational and logistical skills. I learned how to arrange gifts in a way that was both efficient and welcoming, paying close attention to detail so families could easily find what they needed. The experience also sharpened my communication skills—whether I was coordinating with other volunteers or explaining the process to families—showing me how to turn planning into clear, effective action. I gained a deeper understanding of how many families in Memphis rely on community resources during the holidays. Seeing parents select gifts for their children highlighted both the economic challenges they face and the importance of maintaining dignity in service by providing not just material support, but also joy and relief during a stressful season. Working as part of a team made the experience even more meaningful. Collaborating with other volunteers taught me how to divide tasks, adapt to different working styles, and celebrate our shared progress. The teamwork created a strong sense of unity and purpose and reminded me that service is most powerful when it is done collectively. By preparing the Christmas store, I directly supported the Dream Center’s mission of empowering families and meeting community needs. My efforts helped ensure the event ran smoothly so families could experience generosity and hope. One challenge I faced was managing the flow of gifts and making sure there was enough variety for different age groups. I overcame this by problem-solving in the moment—rearranging items, brainstorming creative displays, and working with others to redistribute supplies. This flexibility taught me how to stay calm, adaptable, and resourceful when plans don’t go perfectly. Overall, the Christmas store experience was not just about setting up gifts; it was about building skills, deepening my awareness of community needs, strengthening teamwork, supporting the Dream Center’s mission, and learning to adapt in real time.