Local Volunteers Make Big Impact on Hispanic Community
While many students and young people are filling their time with television, games and other fun activities, BYU student Nate Haight is spending his time bettering the world — he’s volunteering.
Haight is one of many volunteers at local non-profit Centro Hispano, an organization devoted to the orientation and mentoring of Hispanics. Their services provide a variety of needed resources to help strengthen Hispanic families and their contribution to the community — all through local volunteers.
“Volunteering at Centro Hispano has been one of the most rewarding experiences,” Haight said. “Being part of an organization that cares so much about the welfare of others is truly an honor.”
Like so many others, Haight was looking for an opportunity to develop skills and gain new experience — something he is achieving at Centro Hispano.
“I am getting so much out of this experience,” Haight said. “I am learning how to make flyers and brochures, how to work well as a team, how non-profit organizations are managed and so much more.”
Haight’s volunteer focus at Centro Hispano is in the area of curriculum development. With a variety of classes offered, Haight has the responsibility of working with other volunteer teachers to develop course outlines and teaching methods, a skill he developed for three years as a teacher at the Missionary Training Center.
“Working at the MTC for three years as a Spanish teacher gave me so much experience in developing lesson plans and teaching curriculum,” Haight said. “I am so grateful that I am able to put those skills to use here.”
Volunteers like Haight are a crucial part of what makes Centro Hispano successful. According to volunteer coordinator Carol Garcia-Hill, volunteers are always needed and welcome.
“We need more volunteers,” she said. “Anyone who has a desire to serve and make a difference in our local community should definitely contact us. We will put them to work.”
Centro Hispano currently has approximately 10-15 volunteers per month who help with a variety of programs. Volunteer opportunities can range from teaching a specific course to helping with the monthly dinner for the elderly. There is something for anyone interested in gaining volunteer experience.
But along with that experience comes numerous other benefits that volunteer work can provide. According to United Way, of which Centro Hispano is an affiliate, volunteering offers many benefits in appreciation for the gift of one’s time and expertise.
United Way’s website suggests that volunteering can help a person make networking contacts, learn and develop skills, enhance their résumé, build self-esteem and self-confidence, improve their health and even help them feel needed and valued.
Haight feels if more people realized these benefits, there would be more volunteers.
“As a volunteer, I always feel good about what I am doing, especially when I see the impact of my service,” he said. “There is no greater feeling than witnessing that success story. I wish more people could experience it.”
And success stories abound among those that take advantage of the services provided by Centro Hispano. Countless individuals are taking classes and learning how to live betterquality lives. In turn, they are able to strengthen their families and contribute more to the community.
Araceli Jimenez moved to Utah from Guanajuato, Mexico, 11 years ago and has participated faithfully for the past six months in the free exercise class offered by Centro Hispano and taught by volunteer instructors. Through these classes, she expects to learn ways to stay active and healthy, with hopes to lose a few extra pounds as well.
“I have lost about six pounds already in just a few weeks,” Jimenez said. “I now realize that by staying active and eating healthily, I can lose 10 more.”
Jimenez is just one of many who have benefited from the dedicated service of volunteers at Centro Hispano. Like so many others before, she expresses her gratitude.
“Centro Hispano has many free programs and activities available to the community,” she said. “They have helped me improve my health, as well as the health of my family. I am grateful for those who continue to help me.”
That gratitude is what keeps volunteers like Haight so motivated to help. He said that above all, the people are what it’s all about.
“I get a lot out of my experiences with Centro Hispano,” Haight said, “but above all else, I have made amazing friends who I love dearly. They are like my family.”
For more information on how to volunteer at Centro Hispano, call 801-655-0258, or visit the main office at 817 S. Freedom Blvd. in Provo.