Volunteer Voice: May 2021

Hello Everyone!

My name is Guadalupe Ingham (Lupe for short) and I am so thrilled to be able to introduce myself as the new Volunteer and Events Coordinator. Thank you to Laura for the sweet introduction last month and a huge thank you to all of the WCA volunteers past, present and future. We are so grateful for all the work that you do and have done for the WCA and I am looking forward to working with you all soon.

A little bit of background about myself, I moved to Boise in 1992 from a small island called Saipan (of the Northern Mariana Islands) in the Pacific. The North End has been my community since then attending Longfellow Elementary, North Jr. High, and graduating from Boise High School.

In 2019, I was looking for volunteer opportunities in the valley, and naturally being in the neighborhood and consistently driving by the beautiful statue at the front of the building, I looked at the WCA.

I attended a tour and what caught my attention was the WCA’s vision of fostering a community where individuals thrive in safe and healthy relationships. Hearing about the different programs that help instill healthy relationships in the community and especially with the youth through our Prevention Program made my heart full.

As I was turning in my volunteer application, I discovered they were hiring for a front desk position, the rest is pretty much a recent history and I am so excited for this next growth opportunity in my journey with the WCA.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I wanted to take this opportunity to briefly discuss the connection between volunteering and mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System volunteering can have 6 different health benefits:

1. Decreases the risk of depression.
2. Gives a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills.
3. Helps people stay physically and mentally active.
4. May reduce stress levels.
5. May help you live longer.
6. Helps you meet others and develop new relationships

I hope that these are the benefits you will have or have had experienced at the WCA. We are working hard to increase meaningful volunteer opportunities for you.

I invite you to take this month to reflect and be proactive on your mental health, whether hiking, gardening, going on a walk, drinking water, spending time with individuals that bring you joy, or even binge-watching your favorite show. Take some time for yourself and refill your cup because as the saying goes you can’t pour from an empty cup.

With Gratitude,
Lupe

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