In collaboration with Griffin Dominguez, Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat For Humanity ReStore of Champaign County, I organized a charitable event for Ameren Innovation Center interns and staff. This event reaffirmed the iCenter's commitment to the Urbana-Champaign community. Our tasks for the day included restocking the ReStore center with donations and furniture, as well as performing demolition work on worn-out couches and sizeable commodities.

During my study abroad experience in Granada, Spain, in Spring 2024, I engaged in community service at Colegio Ave María de la Quinta, a local secondary school. With the support of CEGRÍ faculty members Violeta and Yanira, and under the guidance of Virginia, I served as a classroom instructor once a week. I taught English to 15-16 year-old students, focusing on colloquialisms, American-British language nuances, and sharing my background as an immigrant from the Philippines. Additionally, I provided history lessons and facilitated cultural exchanges, creating a mutually enriching experience. This opportunity allowed me to learn more about Andalucían-Spanish culture in Granada while offering the students a broader perspective on international cultures and educational opportunities.

Since moving to Des Plaines in 2013, I have actively engaged with the Des Plaines Public Library, appreciating its welcoming staff and extensive resources for community development, research, and academic growth. During my junior and senior years of high school, my involvement with the library deepened. I organized events such as crafting dog toys from fleece, rallied students for the youth advisory board, and strengthened connections between the library and the English National Honors Society at Maine West High School.

Spirituality has long been the cornerstone of my life as a committed Baptist. From my experiences in the Philippines to engaging in mission trips, participating in special numbers, collaborating with community partnerships and ministries, and cherishing time with family, my dedication to this identity feels more like a calling than a mere obligation or community service.

At the Des Plaines Food Pantry, my primary focus was mobilizing students to volunteer and raise awareness about the pantry's mission and impact. I immersed myself in the pantry environment, built connections with facility directors, promoted available services and opportunities, and streamlined the volunteering sign-up processes and applications. This effort not only encouraged student engagement but also facilitated the accumulation of valuable service hours.