Editor’s note: Each day this week the Dispatch will profile a community volunteer as part of National Volunteer Week. National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, is about recognizing volunteers and encouraging others to make a difference in the community.
For Briana Brown, volunteering is about putting herself in a position to help others.
An 18-year-old senior at Columbus High School, Brown is president of the Mayor’s Youth Council.
She said she loves the volunteer group for the opportunities it offers to be a part of the community. Those chances — and volunteerism in general — allow for personal growth, Brown said, as well as reaching out to others.
“It’s the idea that I am in a position to help whoever needs help,” she said. “That’s what makes me want to do it — the idea that I’m helping somebody, but also the idea that I’m helping myself be a better person.”
Brown joined the Mayor’s Youth Council as a sophomore in high school. She spent her first year in the group as a regular member, and then became the group historian for her junior year. Brown said she enjoyed her time with the Mayor’s Youth Council so much that she became president for the current school year.
Brown’s cousin inspired her to join the Mayor’s Youth Council.
“My cousin was in the Mayor’s Youth Council when she was in high school,” she said. “I used to be around her all the time. She had an event to go to and they were ripping and running and doing everything. If anyone asked them to do something, they’d do it.”
Brown said the Mayor’s Youth Council has been involved in things such as Global Youth Service Days, which encourages community engagement for young people. More recently, she said she enjoyed working the Mayor’s Unity Picnic.
“I went into it knowing we’d be doing community service and volunteering, but it ended up being so much more,” Brown said. “It’s a learning experience and you make new friends and meet new people.”
Beyond the Mayor’s Youth Council, Brown is involved with the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Beta Club and National Technological Society.
Brown said one of her favorite community services outside the Mayor’s Youth Council is with the Archonettes Club. She said once a month, they go to a nursing home and hospital in the Golden Triangle. She said they also help the Salvation Army.
Brown encouraged anyone interested to get involved in community service. She said no action was wrong, or too small, if it helps other people.
“Just try, because no community service is bad service,” Brown said. “Everything is good. However you can help, try to help.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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