Exploring the Intersection of Purpose and Volunteering: My Journey in Puerto Rico

Reflecting on Purpose

"What was I made for?" If the Billie Eilish song or Barbie reference came to your mind, we're on the same page. But let's put that thought aside for a moment and focus on the question itself: What was I made for?

I need to be honest and tell you that I ask myself this question quite often. In my attempts to answer it, I always come to the conclusion that I was made to "help," to "make a difference," but even this is vague because helping and making a difference can manifest in various ways. It's no wonder I keep pondering, "What was I made for?"

The Evolution of Purpose

The more I think about this, the more I realize that we are not made for just one thing, but multiple. We evolve over time. No wonder why we find ourselves revisiting this question as we grow, as our interests shift, and as our passions evolve.

To make things more complicated, even if we have some answers to the “what I was made for?” question, it remains challenging to navigate multiple personal purposes when time and resources are limited.

Discovering Opportunities Through Volunteering

Now, let’s go back to my initial words: “what was I made for?”,? “many things”, “little time”, “not many resources.”

I am deeply passionate about my role at Positive Tracks , where I serve as a catalyst for change. Here, I not only coach but also provide essential resources to empower young individuals in creating impactful social initiatives within their communities. While this role undoubtedly resonates with one aspect of my purpose, it prompts me to consider the other dimensions of my calling. For instance, I aspire not only to catalyze change but also to actively participate on the front lines of transformation.

The solution to this unexpectedly lay within the pages of my Positive Tracks staff handbook. Yeah, I get it, not many bother flipping through those pages, but I'll admit: I'm a bit of a nerd. So I went ahead and read every single word of those 52 pages. And guess what I found? "Clause #304" staring right back at me.

Embracing Purpose Beyond Work

“Clause #304: Community Service: All staff are encouraged to volunteer in their communities either for a nonprofit or for a cause. Staff may use 4 hours/month of paid work time to do this.”

What a beautiful gift.

As individuals, we have the inherent right to explore the multitude of passions and purposes that drive us. However, in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's all too easy for our job roles to take center stage, overshadowing the many facets of our identity. We become consumed by our professional responsibilities, sometimes forgetting that we are more than just the sum of our job titles.

The Positive Tracks’ Clause 304 is a beacon of hope in this regard—a human-centered provision that more workplaces should adopt. It serves as a reminder that our worth extends beyond the confines of our nine-to-five, and that it's not only acceptable but essential to nurture our other passions and pursuits. It keeps me accountable to my larger purpose, nudging me to explore the things I'm passionate about beyond the boundaries of my daily routine. And for that, I am truly grateful.

Making a Difference Through Volunteering

Enters Let's Share The Sun Foundation , a non-profit organization dedicated to providing solar power to communities in need. Fortunately, I have a personal connection to the organization—I am close friends with the CEO!

Over the past three years, I've continued to be involved with Let’s Share the Sun, participating in delegations in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Here? I served as a translator between locals, engineers, and a team from the mainland USA.

We've installed solar power in homes with critical medical needs, ensuring reliable electricity to refrigerate medicine and power medical equipment. While I thoroughly enjoy the process of installing solar panels, my favorite aspect is bridging the language gap between the mainland team and the families in Puerto Rico. These families often share stories of resilience, detailing the challenges they've faced with unreliable access to power, particularly during hurricanes. However, amidst adversity, they also demonstrate incredible strength and solidarity, supporting one another through difficult times. Homes equipped with solar power not only serve as vital hubs for medical needs but also provide a sense of safety and community for residents.?

Walking through the streets of Adjuntas years later fills my heart with joy. It's incredibly rewarding to encounter individuals who remember the impact of our work, and to hear firsthand how access to solar power has transformed their lives for the better.

The Impact of Volunteering: A Call to Action

As I conclude, I want to acknowledge the myriad themes we've explored: the diversity of our purposes, the value of workplace initiatives like volunteering benefits, and my personal journey of embracing opportunities beyond my job description. However, before we part ways, I'd like to leave you with a call to action—or perhaps, a few.

Call to Action

I urge you to consider this as a call to action: The next time you find yourself in discussions with your HR representative or are contemplating a job change, go beyond merely evaluating salary and job title. Instead, ask yourself: How does this potential workplace support my holistic growth and exploration of my passions?

Remember, you are more than just a job title; you are a multifaceted individual with a myriad of interests and talents waiting to be explored. Therefore, I hope that the organizations you engage with offer progressive policies, such as the volunteer paid time at Positive Tracks, that empower you to continue your journey of self-discovery and fulfillment.

Lastly, both organizations, Positive Tracks and Let’s Share the Sun, rely on donations to continue their invaluable work. Let’s Share the Sun, for instance, transforms lives by installing solar power for families in need, with each installation costing around $15,000. Positive Tracks empowers youth to support causes they care about, while also offering incredible benefits to its employees, like the opportunity to volunteer during paid work hours.

Consider donating your time if financial support isn't feasible. Many nonprofits allocate a significant portion of their budgets to operational expenses, including staff salaries. By volunteering, you can directly contribute to their mission without adding to their financial burden. Embrace volunteering opportunities; who knows? You might just find yourself one step closer to exploring the multitude of things you were made for.