Welcome!

First off, I'd like to welcome you to my new blog, One Can Make a Difference. My purpose in creating it is to give others a glimpse inside the life of someone who is striving to enter the non-profit sector. I hope to provide you with interesting insights into the life of a student who is entering this field, information about various non-profits and service organizations, useful links, and anything else that could be beneficial to someone looking to work at a non-profit, searching for volunteer opportunities, or simply searching for an interesting read.

Second, I'd like to give credit where it is due. The title of this blog stems from a friend of mine, Courtney, who serves as the bulletin editor for the Michigan District of Circle K International (more about this group later). She sends a weekly update titled "One Can make a Difference" to club officers in our district. While the information is useful, the title is equally as helpful. It serves to remind us that even though we are individual college students who appear to have little prestige and clout in the world, everything we do makes an impact. Whether we are playing bingo at a nursing home, feeding the homeless, or raising money for one of many charitable causes, we bring hope to the hopeless, joy to those who never thought they could smile again, or simply make a dreary day a little brighter. This thought strengthens us, so that even when we are sleep deprived or could easily go spend the day at the beach with friends, we instead willingly give back to our communities.

Third, I would like to encourage you to examine your life right now, and ask yourself a simple question: how do I serve others every day? Your actions can be as simple as a smile, or holding the door open for someone. Perhaps you have a few extra cans of vegetables to donate to a local food pantry, or a few extra hours a week to tutor a student. Regardless of your age, socio-economic class, education level, or any other factors, you CAN make a difference.

Again, welcome to One Can Make a Difference! This is a work in progress, so any comments, questions, or suggestions are welcome. Thank you!