Symantec’s Volunteer of the Quarter initiative highlights and rewards those employees who dedicate their time and talents to those in need. We have a long and proud history of encouraging our employees to volunteer. While the driving force of our efforts is largely altruistic, there is even more to volunteering than giving back to our communities. Volunteering makes our company a better place to work, so employees are helping both Symantec and the organizations they volunteer for.
Today we highlight Yvette Washington, Sr. Business Operations Analyst at Symantec who has a 20-year history serving her communities.
Symantec’s Volunteer of the Quarter Yvette Washington shares her story of giving back for the past 20 years.
You know when you meet that person who seems like they have done every job under the sun? I am that person when it comes to volunteering. For over 20 years, I have been volunteering ten hours per month to a number of different causes, including one-off opportunities that interest me. Whether leveraging my technology skills to educate seniors, setting up for events, leading arts and crafts activities, supporting animal protection, assembling backpacks for camping trips, conducting office work, gardening, painting. You name it, I have done it.
I volunteer because I choose to make a positive difference in someone else’s life and in doing so I get the benefit of having my life changed as well. Additionally, volunteering has allowed me to apply myself in areas I have always been passionate about such as education. Lastly, I have realized the potential impact of my skills and expertise outside of primary day job. For example, I apply my technology know-how to support seniors increase their knowledge and use of technology, support nonprofits by leveraging my skills in Excel, database management, and Word, and I have learned to build and manage teams more effectively.
We often take our core professional skills for granted as we use them every day. However, remembering that not everyone has the skills themselves or that every organization has the resources to recruit them, will expand your perception of how you can help and give back. Additionally, most of us find enjoyment doing what we do best, especially when it is helping others.
Over the past twenty years, my outlook on life has been impacted by my involvement with various organizations (including, but not limited to):
- Most people do not know that at one time in my life I wanted to be a teacher and even took the California Basic Educational Skills Test to become credentialed. Last year, Symantec requested additional volunteers to support the TutorMate partnership through Innovations for Learning. I immediately answered this call.
Innovations for Learning is a national nonprofit that has been working for more than 20 years to help primary grade teachers be more effective in their pivotal task of teaching students to read. TutorMate, a program of Innovations for Learning, is one of the nation’s leading online volunteer tutoring programs helping tens of thousands of first grade students in low income communities learn to read. A great part of TutorMate’s platform is you can volunteer from anywhere. Your home, your desk, anywhere that fits your schedule. Through the online platform over 200 leading corporations and organizations are supporting literacy for low-income students.
This volunteer opportunity is unique in that it has allowed me to fulfill one of my life long passions without even leaving the office.
- The Culver City Senior Citizens Association provides a variety of educational, recreational and social services that meet the needs and interests of seniors and residents with disabilities and all members of the general community. The numerous programs and services offered provide access to information and support as well as opportunities for participation in activities that lead to personal growth, improved health and enriching life experiences. I have volunteered for the Association’s Senior Technology Days helping the elderly gain skills and learn how to leverage technology. Again, skills we take for granted go a long way to providing satisfaction and further independence to seniors.
- Through Culver Palms Meals on Wheels, I have supported providing nutritious meals at an affordable price to persons who are confined to their homes because of illness, accident, convalescence or age. With Meals on Wheels I have also had opportunities to apply my skills in Excel, database management, and Word to strengthen the activities of the organization.
- Additional organizations I’ve volunteered with include Our House Grief Support Center, which provides community grief support services, education, resources, and hope. Since 1993, Our House has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark upon their journeys to hope and healing. Additionally, Angel City Pit Pulls, an organization dedicated to creating a better future for pit bulls through education, public advocacy, adoptions, and owner support.
People often ask how I find the time to volunteer. Seeing the direct impact that charities have on people has made me want to support these organizations. I have also been able to channel my passions through a lifetime of giving back and for this, I am grateful.
For Yvette Washington, Symantec Volunteer of the Quarter, managing teams and people management are two skills professionals can strengthen by taking part in collective efforts to give back.