How I Failed at a Volunteer Gig and What I Learned

I failed at a volunteer gig. Back in early 2003, I had signed up to volunteer at a local youth center for homeless youth. I took some basic training and the plan was I would show up and  support kids in the center by being a safe person to speak with. The youth were between 16-22 years old and many of them ran away and were on the street because their home life was pretty rough. The center was focused on helping get homeless youth into an art focus: music, traditional art, food, sewing and other mediums and then support them to get a job and more education. 

It was my first day,  I went in and there was a group of kids sitting around a table. I sat down and started talking about sewing and how I could help patch up their clothes (I was really into sewing at that time). Some of the teens opened up and shared their story of why they were there or a pretty bad aspect of their life. One of the teens shared some really intense stories.  I think I was there for less than 2 hours and had succeeded in connecting with some of the youth.  

That night, I kept thinking about what the teens shared with me and I cried. A lot. For days and couldn’t shake it. My poor husband was like, you can’t do this again, you are too emotional. Try and find another way to support the center.   

So I thought, ok, what else can I offer? What could be a positive thing I could offer these teens? I thought about simple things that brought me happiness and one was baking for others. I had recently been given a new cookie cookbook and was eager to try it out. 

I talked to the center about my experience with the youth, how I wasn’t cut out to be a counselor-type, but wanted to help out. “Can I be your cookie lady?” I suggested the idea of bringing homemade cookies to the center every Wednesday and if that would that be helpful. They loved the idea. 

So I became the “cookie lady” and developed a ritual around trying out new cookie recipes each Tuesday night and delivering them to the center Wednesday mornings. I always made sure to make a double batch so there was enough. Once in a while I would make a batch and they wouldn’t turn out and I would quickly go back to a tried and true recipe and make a bunch for the following Wednesday. I soon learned that Tuesday night were sacred and devoted to cookies. 

What was the best part about being the cookie lady for 5 years for the center? The looks on the kid’s faces when I came. I know that homemade cookies are such a special treat for most people. When I would bring a large box of cookies, I would see some of the kid’s faces light up and look excited. While I wasn’t the best person to listen to their stories, I could provide a break in their days and give them something forward to. 

I know that many of you give back to your communities, I find it’s one of the common values amongst all of my clients. That’s why I’m so excited to share that when you sign up for my Launch Your Marketing program - I’ll also be giving a percentage of proceeds from my to 3 different nonprofits (Dress For Success, BIPOC Support Foundation, and Human Rights Campaign) – so if you work with me in Launch Your Marketing program, you’ll also be helping to support these causes at the same time.