Helping Others Will Help You
Amanda Hayes, Director of External Development
At a young age, my parents instilled in me and my brothers the importance of giving back to the community. I watched as both of my parents participated in international relief trips to help those in need during natural disasters when there was a lack of medical provisions. I grew up volunteering at my local homeless shelters and hospitals and saw the impact that helping others has on a community. When I started school at UC Berkeley, I knew that I wanted to continue volunteering because it had become a part of who I was.
After 6 months of searching for a cause that I personally connected with, I came across Afi Health, a nonprofit organization that provides educational materials for pediatric patients. I was immediately intrigued; as I learned more about this small start up and the team, I knew I had to get involved somehow. Berkeley is known for its creative innovations and start up atmosphere, but Afi Health is different. With only 4 members at the time, Ahanna, Adam, Caroline, and Josie were ready to grow the team with others who were just as passionate about the issues underlying pediatric education.
My initial thought when I was brought on as an intern was that I would have very specific tasks and would work in a hierarchy. However, I quickly learned that would not be the case. I was working on almost every aspect of Afi Health. From submitting grants, to script writing, to marketing our videos, my voice was treated with the utmost respect. As a young freshman, I expected to be treated like the inexperienced 18 year old that I was; however, I was welcomed with open arms by all members. It was comforting being surrounded by other students who understood the pressures of balancing their academics and extracurricular activities, providing an amazing support system. Afi Health created the opportunity for me to become a leader and learn how to speak up for myself in every aspect of my life.
Fast forward two years, and this is still true. I have since been brought onto the permanent Afi Health Team as the External Development Chair. My main responsibility is to organize and communicate to our Medical Advisory Board, which consists of a group of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who approve our scripts before they get sent to animation. Our Medical Advisory Board is an amazing resource that I am honored to be able to work with. But this isn’t the only work I contribute to. I research grants and compile all the documents we need to apply, in addition to looking for supplementary funding ventures. Furthermore, I conduct outreach to clinics, doctors, and advocacy groups, explaining who we are and how we can help their community. Not only am I able to help create these education materials, but I am also able to be proactive about sharing these resources with those communities who would benefit.
It was challenging to learn how to balance a full time academic schedule. However, being surrounded by other students who were motivated to make both aspects work drove me to improve my time management skills. And, their passion was contagious. This group taught me what it means to pursue your passions. With our small team, I developed personal connections with each member, creating a close knit community that allowed us to work productively and efficiently. Although my /initial goal was to find an organization to volunteer with, I got way more than I anticipated. I gained a team, who motivates me everyday to pursue our mission of providing education and support to pediatric patients. Whether it is sending outreach emails, attending our weekly team meetings or going on site to clinics, I know that every aspect directly contributes to our work in the community. I think I speak for our whole Afi Health team when I say that this organization has provided us with an irreplaceable journey in the nonprofit realm as well as in our personal lives.