Girls Empowerment Network Celebrates our 2023 Volunteers of the Year!
We are thrilled to introduce the remarkable individuals who have been selected as the Girls Empowerment Network Volunteers of the Year by our dedicated staff. These exceptional volunteers have gone above and beyond in their commitment to empowering and uplifting girls and young women in our community. Whether serving as board members, providing invaluable guidance and strategic vision, engaging in our signature one-on-one sessions with girls knows as Power Chats, or supporting with direct service, these volunteers have made a profound impact on the lives of our participants. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering support have made a profound impact on our organiztion, and we are truly grateful for their outstanding contributions. Join us in celebrating and honoring these incredible volunteers for their outstanding commitment to the Girls Empowerment Network's mission!
Laura Andrea Díaz Ospina
Volunteer of the Year
When did you first start volunteering for Girls Empowerment Network? What got you interested in the mission?
I started volunteering for Girls Empowerment in 2022. I got interested in the mission because I believe in the power that women have and how powerful we can be if we work together and are able to guide girls and help them feel that power. I just wish I had this type of space when I was growing up.
Why is volunteering important to you?
Is therapy for me. After a long day at work, I feel much better just feeling the love and energy from the girls.
What lessons have you learned from your experiences as a volunteer?
So many lessons—how girls understand the world, how incredible life is at that age, and just how simple life can be—have helped me to slow down on my work schedule and just enjoy the moment because that’s how I feel every time I go to group.
If you could describe your time as a volunteer in just one word, what would it be?
Growth
What is one piece of advice you would share with your younger self?
Don't give up; life is not easy, but every choice you've made has helped you become the woman you are today.
Heather Lang
Outstanding New Volunteer
What inspired you to start volunteering with Girls Empowerment Network?
Girls Empowerment Network found me during the last leg of my MSW program when I had been placed at the organization as a Direct Service Intern for a two-semester internship. The mission at Girls Empowerment Network spoke to the little girl in me who had really struggled with creating and maintaining friendships, social anxiety, and finding a safe, accepting space where I could be free to be myself. I loved the idea of being able to show up for young participants in the way that I didn't have when I was younger.
What is one lesson you’ve learned through this experience?
It's really simple, but one thing that I will take with me as a result of this experience is the idea that we all have our own magic. My supervisor, Kameryn, (who is magical and amazing) brought this up in my initial interview and it stuck with me throughout my entire experience. We're all powerful and show up for each other in unique ways. Just because you don't show up in a space the same way as another person, doesn't mean that your presence carries less value or less impact. This is such a powerful way to view yourself and others and it really helped me view myself in a new light. I feel more confident and comfortable bring my authentic self to both professional and personal spaces, as well as am able to practice so much more gratitude for others in my life. Not only that, but this mindset allowed me to show up for our youth in a way that they deserved.
“One thing that I will take with me as a result of this experience is the idea that we all have our own magic”
For individuals who are considering volunteering, what advice would you give to help them make a meaningful impact?
Well, for one - JUST DO IT. I promise you won't regret it. If you're not sure if your schedule will allow you to volunteer for weekly groups, there are SO many other ways to volunteer with Girls Empowerment Network. If you're already volunteering, don't shy away from connecting with the participants in a way that feels right for you. Just like I mentioned earlier, everyone brings their own magic! Maybe you won't connect with every single participant, but being present, kind, and showing up authentically will show participants that they can do the same.
What is one piece of advice you would share with your younger self?
To be honest, I'm not sure if my younger self needed advice or a hug more. Probably both! I would hug myself and say it's okay to feel weird, embarrassed or out of place. Be silly, share your thoughts, and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. There are so many others who experience the same worries, and you're not alone. You never know who you might connect with or who might be feeling the same way. You don't need to silence yourself or change who you are, because life is too short to not embrace your true self.
Rosa Walker
board Member of The year
What is your earliest memory of giving back? How did that experience influence your philanthropy as a Board member?
My earliest memory of giving back is from grade school when my mother volunteered at our church as the cook for the convent and rectory. During Thanksgiving, my brothers and I were required to volunteer at the church’s meal center to feed those who would not be having a “traditional” holiday meal.
My interactions at the meal center were with adults, but I couldn’t help but notice the children with their parents/guardians. I was too keenly aware of the fact that we were not too far removed from that reality. Those families stayed with me, and later in college I began speaking at high schools in low-income neighborhoods to encourage college attendance as one way to improve your families’ economic position. The college admission and financial process is so intimidating to first generation college students. I wanted to let them know that it’s obtainable.
Coupled with being a mother of three girls, my lived experiences drive me to bring my full self to the Girls Empowerment Network Board.
What impact do you believe Girls Empowerment Network is having in your community?
Participating in Power Chats allows me, a volunteer rather than an educator, to make a significant impact. Representation holds immense power. When girls witness and hear stories from those who share similar experiences and appearances, their belief in achieving their goals becomes more tangible. Girls Empowerment Network’s programming offers crucial support and encouragement. For those who've faced negativity and unworthiness, the programming, which is filled with positive affirmations, chips away at effects, setting them on a journey of self-awareness and self-love.
The journey and self-recognition can lead to great change for the girls, their families, and their communities. They have the power to become role models for their peers and within their personal networks.
What is one piece of advice you would share with your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to stop expending energy comparing myself to others. My younger self spent a lot of time saying, “I wish I had”, “I wish I could” and “I wish I was.” That thought process robbed me of my confidence and self-worth. I've since learned that I am my own competition. While I'm genuinely happy for others, my greatest contentment arises from reflecting on my personal journey.
Maria Rosa
Emerging Leader of the Year
When did you first start volunteering for Girls Empowerment Network? What got you interested in the mission?
Back in sophomore year of college, I was looking to join an organization where I could volunteer but that would also inspire me. Since a young age, I’ve been driven by doing things that feel right for me. For that reason, I had a hard time at first because none of them felt like the right one. It was not until I participated in the Excel with Dell Mentorship Program, where I met Claudia Rodriguez, my mentor during the completion of the program. One of the first conversations we had was me telling her that I was having trouble finding an organization. After she heard to my concern, she came up with a list of organizations and Girls Empowerment Network was there. Then, I did some research and after finding out Girls Empowerment Network mission, I felt it was the right for me.
Why is empowering Texas girls important to you?
What an important topic!
Empowering Texas girls is important to me because I used to be a girl with an unacknowledged potential, that now as a woman, I can see it. Struggling in many different ways during my childhood made me develop a level of resiliency that motivates me every day to become a better version of myself, and part of it comes with giving back to the community. I want to be a resource and an example of where you come from or what you’ve gone through doesn't determine your destiny. Thus, one of my personal goals is helping people see their own abilities, believe in themselves, and become unstoppable; which is exactly the purpose of Girls Empowerment Network. There’s nothing else that will fulfill my heart that seeing a girl being strong, believing that she’s enough, and achieving her dreams.
Do you think volunteering one’s time is an impactful way to give back to your community? Why?
Advice for Younger Self
I’d tell her that she has been able and will always be able to figure out any challenge that comes to her life, her resiliency will get her really far.
Absolutely. The way I’ll measure success in my life will not only be by how far I get in my professional career, but also how much I’d have given back to my family and the community. There’s no better feeling that knowing you’re impacting someone else’s life without looking at yourself. The magic of giving back is unmeasurable, you could literally change someone’s life. It also helps you to stay humble, grateful, and acknowledge your journey.
What lessons you have learned from your experience as a volunteer?
I have learned that it is completely normal to feeling uncomfortable in the beginning. Being surrounded by people you don’t know while they all know each other is definitely a challenge, but you will be surprised how far you will get with the idea of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s absolutely worth it and before you know it that phase is already gone.
Another lesson that I can share is the fact of acknowledging my privilege. Volunteering helps you understand your privileges and how you can make the most of them by giving back.
What is a piece of advice you would share with your younger self?
There’s plenty! That girl struggled a lot with and without reason.
I think the most impactful piece of advice I would tell her is to try to get to the root of whatever she is feeling and stick to her gut. I would tell her to not doubt herself. There’s nothing else more important in life than trusting and doing what feels right for you, in any situation, so believe in yourself. Finally, I’d also tell her that she has been able and will always be able to figure out any challenge that comes to her life, her resiliency will get her really far.
Visit our volunteer page and get started in your volunteer journey with Girls Empowerment Network!