Why I Pay it Forward by Lena

Why I Pay it Forward by Lena - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

I'm a strong believer in the term "pay it forward". I strive to help others in whichever way I can. Over the past four years I have longed to pay it forward because I see the need during my volunteering career.
At the age of twelve, my family and I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. My mother was extremely overwhelmed because she did not want our small family to wind up on the side of the road. After spending long hours researching for assistance, she found this transitional housing center called the RCS Grace House. The RCS Grace House allows families with children to stay for eight weeks without pay, to have the opportunity to get back up on two feet. On Wednesday evenings, the parents attend life skill classes while the children are taken care of by kind-hearted volunteers. When I stayed at the Grace House, the volunteers were always smiling and made everything seem normal for the children. It was then that I knew that I had to return after my stay and become a volunteer.
I pursued my passion and became a volunteer right away. That care-giving part of my personality could finally be more expressed. Over the past four years I've seen the life of the children at the Grace House. During the short hour that I have with them, they seem so happy, the way children should be. I was one of those children. It is only a small bump in the road for them. Things are only going to get better, especially when you have strong souls standing by every step of the way.
This opportunity has made me want to venture out and do more for the community, not just the children and their families. In the near future, I want to participate in Habitat for Humanity events, feeding the homeless, and many other things beyond that. I care about everyone. I truly feel like it is our responsibility to tale care of one another. Taking action is extremely important to me.
Pay it forward. Money, time, anything that can benefit the people in need. At the end of the day, we are all vulnerable human beings who sometimes need a hand.