The Role Volunteering Played in My Life and Work

I’ve been thinking a lot about the different places we learn who we are and for me, volunteering was one of them. Non-profits and volunteering will always hold a very special place in my heart. Looking back, volunteering was one of the first places I learned what it meant to build something that mattered and to do it alongside people who cared just as deeply. It is how I first got started in marketing. It is where I have met some of my favourite people.  It is how I learned about community building and eventually got settled into what I wanted to go back to school for as a first-generation college student, as a mom of two in my mid-twenties.

Volunteering showed me that I could create things and that those things could actually help people.

One of my earliest experiences with volunteering was with Not for Sale, a human trafficking prevention organization, with their Houston Texas branch, helping with fair trade markets, lining up speakers, hosting walk-through experiences, an exhibit that reveals the harsh realities of the sex trade through storytelling. 

In another season of life as a new mom in a new city volunteering became something different. It was a way to find people, to build community from scratch, and to feel less alone. I helped run social media and local events for the local chapter of MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers, recently rebranded to Mom Co.), but more than anything, it gave me a sense of belonging I didn’t realize I needed. Throughout my undergrad, I continued to seek out opportunities to volunteer or intern with socially conscious organizations. Those experiences deepened my understanding of how digital spaces can be used for good and sparked a lasting interest in storytelling as a form of advocacy. One of those roles included reviewing and rating submissions for a justice-focused film festival another reminder of how stories can move people in ways data alone often can’t.

More recently, I supported the Mental Health and Motherhood Summit through social media and content efforts bringing together so many of the things I’ve learned along the way. 

All of this to say, there is something for everyone in the world of volunteering. It can be a way to meet people and expand your sense of community beyond work. It can be a way to invest in causes you care about, whether that’s animal welfare, education, health, the arts, or social justice. And in a world that can feel overwhelming, it can also be a way to take meaningful action close to home.

If you’re not sure where to start, look locally. Libraries, food pantries, thrift stores, and community organizations are often in need of support. Platforms like Idealist can also connect you with opportunities, whether you have a few hours or want to get more deeply involved. Some workplaces even offer volunteer time off (VTO), making it easier to participate during the workweek.

When the world feels heavy, even knowing where to start can feel overwhelming sometimes. I’ve found that staying connected to small, positive reminders of what’s possible can make a difference. I also love resources like Good Good Good Co, which shares positive news and highlights practical ways people can make a difference. It’s one of those small reminders that even when things feel overwhelming, there is still good happening and ways to be part of it. They publish a monthly print newspaper called the Goodnewspaper (stock your local coffee shop/library/office!) as well as Goodnewsletter and a weekly podcast. Their Instagram account @goodgoodgoodco is well respected and highly followed for a reason: it is one of the most hopeful sources of news and content in my feed. 

All of this to say, there is no one reason to volunteer. Sometimes it’s about supporting a cause you care about. Sometimes it’s about meeting people. Sometimes it’s about finding your footing in a new season of life. Often, it becomes a mix of all: purpose, connection, and direction in ways you didn’t expect.

Volunteering offers something tangible: a way to show up, to contribute, and to be part of something good right where you are.

Article By Hannah Lacy
Hannah Lacy is a digital content strategist with over seven years of experience in marketing and social media, and more than a decade of experience as a freelance writer contributing to various publications. A working mother of two school-aged children, she writes at the intersection of ambition and parenthood, with a passion for storytelling, advocating for working moms, and partnering with mission-driven brands and organizations.

Connect with her on LinkedIn or at hannahlacymedia@gmail.com.LinkedIn profile