Q: How did you hear about HandsOn Broward?
A: I heard about HandsOn Broward from one of my mentors (Pamela Carre) years ago who insisted that I got involved with the organization since she realized that I was always seeking volunteer opportunities and ways to be of service to my community. At the time it was called Volunteer Broward, it was the perfect referral for everything I wanted to do in the realm of volunteering.
Q: How has volunteering impacted your personal/professional goals?
A: Volunteering has had a tremendous impact on my personal and professional goals. It gives me a sense of fulfillment that money can’t buy, knowing that I am part of a solution to the growing problems in our communities. Through volunteering, I have acquired better leadership, social skills, an expanded network and partnerships that are essential for my personal/professional goals and growth.
Q:What volunteering projects have you worked on in the past? What projects are you currently working on?
A:Some of the most rewarding volunteering projects I’ve worked on in the recent past are the annual feeding the homeless initiatives with the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition of Broward County & Clothing drives for the earthquake victims of Haiti. I am currently working on a few summer mentoring programs to help keep some children in our communities out of prison and off drugs during the summer break.
Q:Any advice for new volunteers?
A: Seek volunteer opportunities that match your interest or passion. It will make your volunteer experience much more rich and rewarding. I encourage all new volunteers to remain connected to HandsOn Broward and maximize this opportunity of building life long relationships with others who share the same ideals in building a better community through volunteering.
Q:What made you want to take the next step and becoming a Project Leader?
A:I thought that it would be a win-win situation to become a Project Leader because it gives me access to programs or events that I’m most passionate about in my community and allows me to serve while learning. Being a Project Leader also gives me the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management and organization.
Q: Why would you recommend becoming a Project Leader to other volunteers?
A: I would recommend other volunteers to become Project Leaders simply because it’s a unique opportunity for them to be able to lead a project from beginning to end and apply their leadership skills by becoming more proactive throughout the process.
Q: Any quotes that sum up your overall experience?
A:“The roots of happiness grows best in the soil of service”
Thanks, Jerson! And Congratulations on the newest addition to the family! 
Yours in Service,
The HandsOn Broward Team
This month’s Volunteer Spotlight goes out to Allison Jones! An amazing volunteer full of excitement and zeal when working in our community! Here’s what Allison has to say about her volunteering experience: