Student Essay – By Angela Yue

The opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for Project Rise Together has allowed me to explore stories I would otherwise not be able to, and help the community of children in Austin. Our team has worked with Children of the King, a daycare for children who may not have the same opportunities as others. Our most consistent volunteer opportunity happens every Friday where a group of seven volunteers strive to create a friendly, helpful environment around the children for 3-3.5 hours. We want to make memories that they will remember fondly once they grow up by playing with them and creating connections between each individual. Additionally, we work to help the adult leaders of Children of the King by cleaning up trash, stacking chairs, and helping to cook or serve food in order to lessen the work they have to do. Overall, we strive to ensure that there is a safe and comfortable space for all the children, a clean and healthy location for all volunteers and workers, and a playful, bright environment for everyone.

Throughout my experience with Rise Together and Children of the King, I have learned to embrace our culture and serve our community. I wish to continue to work with Project Rise Together to provide assistance to communities in need, and teach important lessons such as the children giving back to the community what the community has given to them, or respecting people of all kinds. Throughout the year, Rise Together has planned outdoor, overnight trips to places such as Enchanted Rock and New Mexico, and we have worked to fund for the children to go for free. To me, it is very important for the children to have fun at a place they might not have been before, without the worries of their everyday life. That is what being a volunteer of Rise Together is about – creating these opportunities for those who need it, and to serve them well. And as a volunteer, I grew from this experience as well, as a leader and a friend to others.