I’m a certified non-profit enthusiast.  When I was introduced to my first non-profit organization, I fell in love.

I started volunteering for the Washington D.C. Street Sense newspaper because I had dreams of becoming a big-time newspaper writer or columnist.  I wanted to get my feet wet in the industry, get some articles published and build my resume.

However, during my time as a volunteer there, I found much more enjoyment in getting to know the individuals who the organization advocated for and served – men and women who fell stricken to homelessness based on varying life circumstances.  As an office volunteer, I interacted with the homeless vendors by selling them newspapers that they’d, in turn, sell on the street to make an honest profit.

My time in the office allowed me to listen to stories of grief, frustration and triumph among the vendors. Their stories were truly humbling and heart-felt. Before my time volunteering, I honestly never

really cared about my

city’s homeless population.  I may have given a dollar here and there but I’d never stopped to think of the stories, family and history that accompanied these individuals.

During my yearlong stint, I never even published an article in the paper.  I did one interview and draft but it didn’t go anywhere.  And that ended up being fine by me.

Volunteering at Street Sense was a main contributor to my starting my own non-profit, D.R.E.A.M. Life.  I enjoyed the feeling of giving back to those who were less fortunate and needed extra support.  And in all actuality, the Street Sense vendors probably added more to my life in wisdom and knowledge than I ever could have added to theirs. Read More on Skillology.com..