[Reflection] Jena Harin Lee - Doing by Action: Reaching Out to Neighboring Community

I’ve always been interested in helping out, but I never had the chance to get involved with meaningful charity work. That’s what motivated me to join several clubs focused on volunteering, like Green Tree. That’s the starting point, but there’s more to it. I also wanted to connect with the kids in our neighborhood and be a positive influence in their lives. The opportunity to support those in need, like children from single-parent or muti-cultural families, was a big reason I wanted to join this club.

One of the activities I’m excited to do with the kids is anything they’re genuinely interested in. I want to help them experience things they might have wanted to try but could not because of certain limitations. For example, we could take them on trips to places they always wanted to go, like the zoo or an amusement park, or even do smaller activities, like crafts or sports, that they find fun. My goal is to give them memorable experiences and encourage them to feel excited about the world around them.

When it comes to supporting underprivileged people, I think there are many ways we could do. Fundraising is one option, and so is hands-on club volunteering, where we actually visit people in need, similar to what larger organizations do. While we may not have the resources to create global-scale programs, we can still make a local impact by doing what we can. On a bigger level, I think the established institutions could play a bigger role by offering more relief funds to ensure a stable and comfortable life for underprivileged people. Another helpful approach would be to create more job opportunities, helping people who are currently unemployed find sustainable work so they can support themselves.

Ultimately, I believe that with more support from both local communities and the government, we can make life easier for those who need it most. Even though our club may only be one small piece of the puzzle, every little bit counts, and I’m proud to be part of that change.