Can you describe a favorite CMF volunteer effort?

Personally, I think the most rewarding CMF volunteer program I was a part of was the mentoring high school students. The program matched (us) volunteers with a rising high school junior as a part of their college application process.

So…on a lovely humid summer night in NYC…we were matched with our students. Of course, I was matched with the only student whose mother was also present…no pressure!!! Renee and I immediately shared a similar sense of humor and hit it off. Renee was not only the first member of her family to apply to college; she had never actually traveled outside of the tri-state area. When asked what I took away from my childhood and educational experiences, I immediately responded that traveling and seeing as much of the world as you can while in a student role has had life changing effects. I encouraged Renee (with parental permission!) to take the Bolt bus up to Boston and look at Boston University. I had spent a semester abroad through a program of theirs and ended up working at National Geographic while living in London. I absolutely loved the program and am still close with my flat mates from it. So Renee took the Bolt bus to Boston…and fast forward to 2014. Renee is graduating from Boston University this spring!!! AND SHE HAS A JOB LINED UP!!! Actually, just a few weeks ago she shared the below announcement:

I think it’s about time I officially announce that, after graduation, I will be working as a Customer Relations Consultant with EF College Break located right in Boston! Education First (EF) is an international education company that seeks to break down barriers of language, culture, and geography through programs such as language training, educational travel, academic degrees, and cultural exchanges. College Break (CB) hosts several educational travel trips for anyone 18-26, such as the trip I took to London and Paris for New Year’s (www.gofundme.com/4kuyyc)! I’m beyond excited and blessed to be working with them in a few months and begin to help prepare future travelers for an incredible experience abroad as they did for me. www.efcollegebreak.com

Renee wrote me a heartfelt thank-you for being a mentor figure to her over the years and I just have to say that when I first read her announcement, I was SO overwhelmed with pride. It is just an awesome feeling to witness the positive influence one person can have.