Congratulations to Nick Albin, our December 2015 Volunteer of the Month! For the past year, Nick has been volunteering with Inspiration Corporation and can usually be found serving breakfast in the cafe. Nick’s enthusiasm and cheerful demeanor is appreciated by participants and staff alike, and we are so proud to have him as part of the Inspiration Corporation community. Here’s what he said about his experience volunteering with us:
How did you hear about Inspiration Corporation?
I first learned about Inspiration when I moved to Chicago in the fall of 2014 through an online search. Looking for a place to serve, Inspiration caught my eye for its mission to improve the lives of people experiencing poverty and homelessness through increasing their self-sufficiency toward employment and housing.
What is the most enjoyable part of volunteering for you?
The most enjoyable part for me are the ideals of “giving back” and “paying it forward.” I am grateful to have been given a lot of support in my life journey through many mentors which inspires me to help others in their life journey as well.
What aspect of volunteering are you most excited about? What is the most challenging?
I love the positivity, the smiles, and the frie
ndships that I have been able to develop through volunteering at Inspiration. Volunteering continues to allow me to discover my life calling through learning about being of service to others.
What is your volunteer background?
Some of my past volunteer experiences include mission work along the boarder of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico; pastoral care in Ecuador for a summer; working in soup kitchens in Philadelphia, tutoring inner-city students in Minneapolis, and volunteering at a L’Arche community in Kansas City.
Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer because I desire the opportunity to be invested in the community, build relationships, and share my gifts and talents with others.
Describe one of the most interesting experiences you’ve had as a volunteer.
Every breakfast shift at Inspiration is always a lot of fun and brings a morning adventure to my day. Working with fellow volunteers and serving the folks who come to eat always provides for a wonderful experience.
What are your hobbies, besides volunteering?
Besides volunteering, I enjoy running marathons, taking acting courses at Second City, cheering for Chicago sports teams, and exploring different neighborhoods around the city of Chicago.
What have you learned from your volunteer experience?
I have learned how a simple smile can make a powerful impact in someone else’s day.