Included herewith is an interview I conducted with a former peer. I met Katie during our undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s College of CA. I hope you find our interview honest and compelling.

Moreno: Katie thanks for your time. Before we begin, tell me what you have been up to?

Solis: Now that I have finished [my] two years as a Lasallian Volunteer, I am going to the College of Santa Fe New Mexico to work on my Masters of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Special Education.

After being a volunteer for two years I qualified and received a full scholarship (Housing and Tuition) at CSF, one of the many Christian Brothers Schools in the nation. I would not have had this pportunity if it were not for Lasallian Volunteer program. I will continue volunteering and helping organizations that I am passionate about.

Moreno: Tell me more about this Lasallian Volunteer program.

Solis: As a Lasallian Volunteer I had many different jobs. I was a Librarian, Art Teacher, Computer Teacher, Soccer Coach, After School Coordinator, and I was always up to any tasks that needed to be done such as creating sets for the Christmas play, and helping teachers with special projects. My feeling was that I was there to help in any way I could.

Moreno: Katie, when did this nature of charity manifest?

Solis: [As a child] I was always tutoring, helping my teachers, and I painting curbs to discourage dumping waste in rain gutters. In middle school I became a Wednesday Wizard where a group of students volunteer half of their day to work with Teachers. I did that for two years as well as working as a peer counselor. I continued my work as a peer counselor through high school (Vintage High School). I counseled my peers who had problems and needed to talk. I also volunteered at the Yountville Child Development Center with the after school program.

When I entered college that [feeling] didn’t change. I was active in Habitat for Humanity, the Alameda Point Collaborative, Urban Plunge, and other service opportunities made available through CILSA and clubs on Saint Mary’s College campus.

Moreno: Tell me more about your time at St. Mary’s College of CA?

Solis: My experience at Saint Mary’s College was amazing. I was very involved with campus activities and clubs. I was a member of Hermanas Unidas, President and Founder of Habitat for Humanity, Manager and Events Coordinator at KSMC radio, LASA, a filmmaker for APASA, and I participated with an Urban Plunge program freshman year. I also worked at St. Anthony’s Food Kitchen, Alameda Point Collaborative, helped get PULSES dance team get started, participated in Carnival for Kids, and the San Francisco Rescue Mission.

Moreno: That’s quite a schedule. When did you have time for your studies?

Solis: I managed to get some class work done and graduated with my BA in Communication.

Moreno: You definitely have experience with community involvement. Did faith play any part in your decision to work as a Lasallian volunteer?

Solis: I was filling out my graduate applications and found it to be so hard.

Moreno: What do you mean “hard?” Are you referring to the actual process or the concept of entering graduate school?

Solis: It was not what I wanted to do; it was not where I wanted to go at the time. Then through CILSA and the career fair, I discovered the Lasallian Volunteers. I feel whatever name you give to that higher power, you just have to sit and say “Thank God.”

Moreno: Did you ever question your faith with your charity?

Solis: College is where I questioned my faith. A good friend of mine questioned my faith and I realized I didn’t have an answer for her. I was not comfortable with that. When I came to terms with what I believed in, I had to decide what I was going to do with it. Being a Lasallian Volunteer reaffirmed what I believed. It does not take a lot to do what it right; but it is always a conscious choice.

It is very hard sometimes when you see things that make you ask “Why God?” It is with these acts that you are reminded why you are there. It is in the kids that are working hard to learn their multiplication facts, the teacher in the overcrowded classroom, the student in the morning who runs up to give you a hug because she is happy to see you, and the single mother going to school full time and working full time. God is not showy and sometimes it is hard to see his handy work.

Moreno: What about the actual job as a Lasallian volunteer? What was that like?

Solis: Before I even got to Memphis [where I was stationed] I was notified that there was a shooting in the neighborhood where I was going to be living. Not only was there a shooting, but the families of students I worked with were changed forever. I had no idea what I could provide a community who just experienced this travesty. My first neighborhood experiences was a candlelight visual and walk. It was an eye opener. Although this community experienced such a sad senseless act of violence, they all came together. I encountered a community that was open to me, willing to help me in any way they
could, and wanted me, the school (De La Salle Elementary), and the neighborhood to succeed.

When I first got there I hit the ground running, I was given a lot of space to create my own successes and forge my own way. That was very empowering and I thrived in that freedom.

Moreno: What did you struggle with during your charity work?

Solis: I was a soccer coach, and it was like pulling teeth to get some of the girls to come to practice and the games. There were the dedicated few I could depend on and their parents were very supportive. No matter what I said to them it didn’t seem to sink in. This included the parents who would use the weekday practice as a babysitting agency and not show up for the game, or vice versa. It made we wonder why I took all this extra time out of my schedule to do this if the support was not there. Sometimes as a Lasallian Volunteer you are thrown into situations where you will fail. That is all part of the experience toward becoming a leader. I’ve learned to take the good with the bad, but hopefully the good outnumbers the bad.

Moreno: What did you learn about yourself in the process?

Solis: This experience has changed me forever. I have become a more faithful person. I know that I am not alone in this world and I am not confused, my head is clear and open to what is ahead. I have learned that giving what you can may not immediately change the world but it creates a rippling effect and over time if you are lucky you can see the impact. I have become more independent, outspoken, and self-confident. I have a sense of who I am, what I want to do, and now I have a network of Lasallians, and friends who have faith in me and me in them.

Moreno: What surprised you during your charity work?

Solis: It always surprises me the overwhelming thanks that I would get from people just doing what I felt I should be doing. I am glad that I am doing something to make someone happy. I would feel awkward and hypocritical not working for what I believe in. I don’t like to just talk about doing something, I like to actually do it. Giving a sandwich to someone who is hungry or a blanket to someone who is cold is not something amazing, it is humane, it is love. It is a way to live, the way I chose to live.

Moreno: I think you would agree that people can volunteer in other ways. Do you think we should all be doing more?

Solis: People need to decide for themselves how much they want to give. I always feel that if I can give more I should and I just hope that others do the same. It is not my place to say what people should do but it is my choice to set an example of what can be done.

Moreno: Any message to the children you worked with?

Solis: To everyone at De La Salle Elementary you are all uniquely special and inspire me every day.

Moreno: Katie, what do you pray for?

Solis: I pray for patience, love, and consideration for everyone.

Moreno: If a genie granted you a wish, what would it be?

Solis: My three wishes would be to have more time to get everything done, [including] the means to travel the world and see everything, and also wish for people to have at least the minimum to survive (food, shelter, clothing, water).

Moreno: For those who are interested in pursuing a volunteer position, where should they go?

To find out about Lasallian Volunteers go to http://www.lasallianvolunteers.org and find out about sites near you that you can volunteer your time, donate, or get information about the worldwide Lasallian Network and information about becoming a volunteer yourself