Suzulan Brickeen

Working with the dogs definitely challenged my problem-solving skills. Each dog had a different personality, some were energetic, some nervous, and some just wanted to explore. I had to figure out quickly what each dog needed, whether that meant walking them longer, redirecting their energy with toys, or giving them space to calm down. This made me realize that even small acts, like walking a dog or playing with them for a few minutes, make a real difference. I used to think community service had to be big or complicated, but this showed me how simple time and attention can support both the animals and the staff who care for them daily. I got to talk more deeply with the staff and other volunteers who clearly cared about the animals. Those short conversations turned into meaningful connections because we were all working toward the same thing. It felt like being part of a team even though everyone handled different tasks. I plan to continue volunteering with this organization. I enjoyed the work, and the shelter truly appreciates volunteers. It felt like my time mattered, and seeing how excited the dogs were made the experience really rewarding. Next time, I’d come with more weather appropriate clothes because five hours with energetic dogs is no joke, and I got really hot in the jeans I was in.

Spending three hours socializing with kittens actually helped me strengthen my patience and gentleness. Kittens can be shy, overstimulated, or a little chaotic depending on the kitten/cat, so I had to adjust my approach constantly. It improved my ability to read nonverbal cues and respond calmly, which surprisingly translates well into everyday communication and professionalism. I learned how much behind-the-scenes work goes into keeping a shelter running, even in the areas that seem “fun.” Socialization is a huge part of helping animals become adoptable, and I didn’t realize how important that role is until I the staff told us. It made me appreciate how much the shelter supports both animals and the wider community. I went with my friend, Alyssa, and we interacted with volunteers and staff throughout the day. Even just chatting with everyone while playing with the kittens helped me understand all of their passion and commitment. Their energy made the experience feel more purposeful and reminded me how important teamwork is in service-based organizations. By spending dedicated time socializing the kittens, I directly supported the shelter’s mission to prepare animals for safe, loving homes. A lot of their adoptability depends on being comfortable around people, so giving them positive interactions helps them transition more easily. A small challenge was figuring out which kittens we should let out at a time. Since there were a lot of volunteers, we had to communicate which kittens still needed to play and which ones already had. This taught me communcation skills.

Chaperoning taught me a lot about leadership, observation, and staying calm in a crowded environment. It actually made me think more seriously about roles that involve guiding or supervising others, since I enjoyed stepping into that responsibility. Watching how students interacted made me more aware of how important safe spaces are for teenagers. School events are a big part of their social development, and having adults who genuinely care about their safety makes a difference. I worked as part of a team with teachers and other volunteers. The teamwork made everything smoother. Everyone had a role, whether it was monitoring doors, supervising the dance floor, or handling questions. It made the environment feel organized and supported. The school staff did a great job of explaining the rules, expectations, and schedule for the event. I never felt unsure about what to do because they communicated everything clearly. This service aligned with my values because I care about helping younger students and contributing to positive school environments. I didn’t feel any conflicts; instead, it felt meaningful to help create a fun but safe space for everyone.

Volunteering with Operation Christmas Child helped me strengthen several skills, especially teamwork and thoughtful decision-making. Working in a group to create multiple gift boxes required us to communicate clearly, organize our supplies, and think critically about what each child might need or enjoy. I also learned a lot about the global community I was serving, especially when we had to be mindful of not choosing items that relied on English or weren’t culturally universal, which reminded me how diverse the world is and how important it is to be intentional when giving. Throughout the experience, I formed meaningful connections with my team members, and hearing their perspectives, especially from volunteers who had experience with children, helped us choose better, more personalized items for each age group. Our work directly supported the mission of Operation Christmas Child by ensuring that each box was packed with care, love, and thoughtful consideration, helping children around the world feel remembered during the holiday season. Looking ahead, the only thing I would change is pushing myself to help organize even more boxes next year, because this experience aligned so strongly with my personal values and left me wanting to continue volunteering with this organization every Christmas.

Volunteering at the Pumpkin Run 5K this October was one of my favorite service experiences, and it allowed me to strengthen several important skills. By helping with setup and then manning the popsicle station at the finish line, I really improved my people-facing skills, especially since I interacted with runners and supporters nonstop. I also learned more about the community I served, noticing how supportive and connected everyone was, from families cheering on their runners to volunteers working together with ease. Even though I arrived alone, I ended up forming meaningful connections with members of the Le Bonheur Club and other volunteers, which showed me that networking can happen anywhere, even at a race event. My service contributed directly to the organization’s mission by helping create a smooth, welcoming, and celebratory experience for runners at the end of their race. Reflecting on the day, the only thing I would change in the future is bringing friends or classmates with me, not only to share the fun but also to get more people involved in such a positive community event. Overall, this experience strengthened my teamwork, broadened my community awareness, and left me excited to return and volunteer again next year.

This was a fun and peaceful experienceThrough this experience, I was able to improve my time management and organization skills by planning a route that would most efficiently get me through the designated areas of the park and ensured that I had the correct supplies (multiple sets of gloves in case some tore, a large trash bag, walking shoes, and clothing that I could move easily in) to collect the trash effectively. Seeing all the trash in the water and especially near sitting areas and taking just a moment to pick each item up allowed me to realize how everyday actions like littering can combine to have a serious impact on public spaces and wildlife. This increased my awareness of the importance of taking care of the environment. I did this experience alone, which is something I thought about during my hours in the park. I don't spend a lot of time in nature by myself, and it was a serene experience to serve surrounded by greenery and be alone in nature. Shelby Farms has a goal to pick up 25,000 pieces of trash, and every piece I picked up allowed me to assist Shelby Farms reach their goal. Shelby farms also has a goal to maintain a clean and welcoming environment for visitors and local wildlife in contribution to their sustainability goals. My trash pick up helped these efforts. In the future, I would bring my own garden gloves to further support Shelby Farms goal of maintaining sustainability. I would bring a trash picker to make the process safer and more efficient.

This was an amazing experience, and I had so much fun. Spending time with the youth at Youth Villages helped me understand how much I enjoy working with youth. I would love to pursue a career centered around youth and in a field where i can make a positive impact through trust and connections. This event has taught me the importance of positive role models. Not everyone has access to safe spaces or supportive role models, and even the smallest acts of kindness and attention can help build confidence and connection. I came individually, but worked with a team. I saw how different people and personalities work together to create a cohesive and warm environment for everyone involved. An unexpected challenge I faced was feeling alone myself. Like I said, I had come individually. I had to put myself forward and find the confidence in myself to be in a new environment.

This was one of my favorite events of the year! I was able to develop my leadership and event planning skills by organizing this Valentine's themed event right before Valentine's Day, coordinating snacks, supplies, the Sign-Up Genius, and drop-off, and ensuring the process ran smoothly for everyone involved. Through this event, I learned that even small, thoughtful gestures--in this instance, providing hygiene products--can make a significant difference for individuals experiencing hardship. This reminded me how important care is in community support. I worked as a team with other members of Emerging Leaders, and the collaborative environment not only made the experience more enjoyable, but it also strengthened our bond as a program. This event showed me how teamwork can amplify our impact. Our service event aligned with Emerging Leaders because of Emerging Leaders' emphasis on service. It also aligned with St. Vincent de Paul's mission of helping those in need by directly providing essential hygiene items. We did so in a way that also lifted spirits through a fun and caring themed event. One unexpected challenge was ensuring that we had enough supplies and maintaining consistency. We overcame this by using the Sign-Up Genius and encouraging people to sign up.

Helping with "Falling in love with Best Buddies" was incredibly fun! I always want this community in my life, regardless of the career path or educational goals I pursue. This is something I can and want to forever incorporate in my life, the places I work, and the places I learn. This event helped to deepen my understanding on how setting up something simple yet fun can make an incredible impact. Promoting inclusion for everyone regardless of who they are is incredibly fulfilling, and this event reminded me the importance of doing so. I worked with multiple people, which allowed us to divide the tasks and finish set up on time. It also brightened the energy of the room, setting a positive mood throughout the event. I love Best Buddies, and I definitely see myself further pursuing service within this organization. This was a community I was a part of in high school, and something that I was excited to see in college. I love the work they do and what they stand for. Serving in this event aligned with my personal values and beliefs because people should be celebrated regardless of differences.