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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My name is Miranda, and my husband and I live in Virginia. I will start by sharing that volunteering in my community and beyond is a very large part of my life. As I am a college student, my current volunteer experiences are more geared towards my future career goals in order to gain more focused and relevant experience.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Growing up, my mom instilled a very strong belief in my brother and me about the importance of giving back to our community. That belief has stuck with me over the years. After moving out on my own, I had the opportunity to be a big sister with my local Big Brothers Big Sisters program. As a previous little sister myself, I thoroughly enjoyed giving back to an organization that had meant so much to me as a pre-teen. During that time, I was also able to schedule medical transportation for senior citizens in my community. As someone who depends on others for transportation (mainly public transit in my case), I understand the importance of knowing that reliable transportation is available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My current volunteer opportunities include assisting in an adult English as a second language (ESL) program, and mentoring high school exchange students as they attend a year of high school in the United States.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I also completed an internship last summer welcoming refugees to the United States. There are other opportunities within my community and beyond that I would like to explore in the future as time allows. Such opportunities may come sooner rather than later, as my university requires all residential students to complete community service hours each semester. As I wholeheartedly agree with the philosophy that volunteering enhances one’s personal and professional development while engaging in the community, I am excited to fulfill this requirement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I do not share my experiences to brag by any means. On the contrary, I am sharing the opportunities I have been honored to take part in as a way of encouraging anyone who may wonder if volunteering as someone with a visual impairment works or is really worth it. I can say that yes, the opportunities are there, and yes, it works. If one is willing to combine patience, grace, and flexability, the rewards far outweigh the risks of stepping out to enjoy the adventures ahead.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks for letting me share, and have a wonderful week!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>--Miranda<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>