Empowering Communities: Adrienne's Impactful Volunteer Work

I was a teenager in high school when I obtained my first volunteer role as a patient advocate. I received patient feedback, provided service recovery, and fulfilled simple requests. I was already committed to pursuing nursing at this point in my life and felt extremely comfortable in-patient care settings. My mother, a retired nurse’s aide, often took me to the nursing home on the weekends during my childhood. I would interact with the residents and help them pass the time by playing piano during lunch, painting their nails, or playing chess. I felt I had a pretty good grasp on the healing power of nursing until I encountered one patient in particular that asked me to simply sit with them. They had no visitors at the bedside, and they lay in their hospital bed with a flat expression. I didn’t know how to reply, so I sat down next to their bed, and we remained in silence. It was that moment that deepened my perspective on what nursing truly had to offer to those in need. The privilege to gain the trust of strangers and provide comfort to them in moments of vulnerability continues to drive my compassionate care at the bedside today. I’ve had a range of volunteering opportunities since then and will continue my work in the future. 

At U’huru Food & Pies volunteers bake pies using recipes passed down from African matriarchs to raise funds for economic independence initiatives in African diaspora communities. It teaches me that community empowerment can be a strategy to decrease disparities and bring a brighter future by bridging the wisdom of the past. UCSF EMBRACE is a Black Mothers’ Support Group that has been a part of my family since 2020. I organized a Mother’s Day Brunch and Mental Wellness Hike to help foster community for a uniquely vulnerable population. Creating spaces for emotional well-being and bonding while exposing the group to my favorite food and hiking trail produces an indescribable feeling of joy. At OUSD Life Academy, I taught phlebotomy skills and CPR during the Nursing Careers Conference, guiding high school students through safe hands-on learning. Watching them light up during the demonstrations reminded me of my own excitement for healthcare. Each phone that was placed down felt like a personal victory. At Shiloh, my home church, I worked closely with college students as they led a faith-based activity station for middle schoolers. Through this, I learned the value of stepping back to let others lead while still offering support. Without micromanaging, I mentored the activity leaders to navigate through challenges and celebrate the completion of their tasks. 

Volunteering represents the power of human presence and connection. As I embark on my student registered nurse anesthesia journey, my commitment to service does not end.