Always Giving Back

When I tell people that I volunteer hundreds of hours of my time every year, they often assume that I’m on a pre-health track. They then ask why I volunteer if I am a design student, I don’t have to compete for a spot for medical school and I don’t have to collect hours of shadowing for any interviews. Yet, I still find myself trying to attend every volunteer event presented to me. I think it’s because I can’t remember a time in my life where I wasn’t surrounded by the care and impact of those who volunteer. 

Growing up in my home country, Iran, my family was heavily involved in our community. In fact, some of my favorite memories are from major holidays where my grandma, Khalehs, and mom would spend hours cooking large amounts of food, and then, my cousins, brother and I go around the neighborhood to hand them out. I didn’t understand the true impact that we had by doing that, but I did know that the people smiling at the plates of food made the running back and forth worthwhile. While that was the extent of my volunteering at such a young age, my family was always doing something to give back to our community back home. My mom was always one of the first people to help pack extra lunches and snacks for anyone in our school classes. My Khaleh Parvaneh and Khaleh Parvin also played crucial roles in operating one of the largest pediatric cancer foundations in Iran. My whole family then began to spend a lot of their time at the foundation. From hosting music classes to lift the spirits of the children to throwing large charity events to raise awareness and money to support the families, my family set a precedent of helping others very early on in my mind. 

When we moved back to Chicago, my mom continued to give back. She was the first parent signed up on every PTA list. If there was a party at school, she would be ready to help the teachers host. She would be a chaperone on every field trip no matter how long or how far. She would come help with reading groups for our classes. And anytime there was a food or clothing drive she would be in line with the biggest boxes and bags. My brother and I truly couldn’t have had a better example of a mom who was always there for us but also those who may have needed more help. 

So, when Arman and I reached the age where we could start volunteering, we went in headfirst. From joining every volunteer club at our high schools to bringing in box tops, clothes, and food, we didn’t leave any opportunity behind. One of our favorite volunteer sites was Feed My Starving Children, so much so that I actually hosted my birthday there one year and had my huge group of family and friends volunteer their time to pack food for one night. It is still to this day one of my favorite birthdays that I’ve had. When I decided that I may want to pursue a career in medicine, I also volunteered my time as a wheelchair guide at one of the local hospitals. I did everything like telling people where certain rooms were, pushing those in wheelchairs, and even sometimes accompanying someone while they ate their lunch while a loved one was under surgery. No matter how much my feet hurt from standing for hours on end, the real time impact I had on just a few people made me forget about the pain. So, it was only natural that when I came to UIC I would continue volunteering.

Especially as a student on the pre-health track, volunteer hours were forced upon us as crucial. While many of my classmates dreaded the idea, I was grateful for the wide range of possibilities in the city. So, when my brother told me he was in the nation service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, I didn’t hesitate to follow close behind. As a club we volunteer at food banks, animal shelters, clothing drives, the Chicago marathons and 5ks, homeless programs, and so much more. Once I changed my major to design, many people expected me to also quit Alpha Phi Omega and stop volunteering. But seeing the lack of service in the design community drove me to volunteer even more than before. I began to volunteer at camps, spring break service trips, tutoring centers, etc. all because I wanted to fill my new community with hope and care the same way everyone in my life had.

While I don’t need the hours and they’re not going to be listed on my resumes, I find myself always looking for the next time I get to volunteer. I’ve made so many close friends in the service community and I’ve been able to bond with my family in a new way as well. While it makes me happy to do it, I also know the privilege I have that allows me to. I know that the communities around us need the help now more than ever. I know that in order to have a village I have to be a villager. So no, my volunteer hours may not land me a job, but they have certainly gotten me the best of memories, communities, and families. So, if you’re able to, I urge you to give back to the communities that you are a part of.

I’ll be out in the community volunteering with you.

Love, Ariana