The Power of Giving Back

Volunteering and Mentorship nourishes the soul, and they certainly nourish mine!

I never experienced having an official mentor or started real volunteerism until my corporate days. I started by signing up to volunteer for our annual Cares Day, and I have never looked back. 

There's something deeply transformative about investing your time, energy, and heart to help someone else. Volunteering isn't just an act of service but an act of connection, healing, and purpose. 

According to a study by UnitedHealthcare, 93% of volunteers reported an improved mood, and 88% experienced increased self-esteem through giving back.

For me, volunteering is a part of who I am now. It fuels my spirit. It grounds me in gratitude. And most importantly, it allows me to be a positive disruptor in someone else's life journey.

My volunteer journey has allowed me the incredible honor of mentoring five bright, ambitious, resilient, and inspiring students. As I write this, I find myself reflecting on how beneficial it would have been to have a mentor during my teenage years or as a young adult. Having guidance during that time might have helped me advance more quickly in my career and navigate college and corporate roadblocks more effectively.

But , my mentees remind me that if we continue supporting, mentoring, and guiding children and young adults along with their parents, the next generation's future will be so radiant and it will be in good hands.

As a mentor, I don't just show up; I listen, I learn, I Invest, and I bring snacks. 

Being a mentor is just one part of that mission. It's my way of saying to these students: 

I see you, I hear you, I believe in you, and we are in this together, and let's be honest, mentoring doesn't just impact the mentee. I leave every session feeling happy, inspired, hopeful, and more connected to my purpose than ever. 

According to Evidence-Based Mentoring,  Parents of mentored children have reported significant improvements in family communication and problem-solving abilities, suggesting that mentoring can enhance overall family well-being.

By stepping up to take on a mentoring role, you can contribute to the growth and empowerment of our youth, ultimately investing in the well-being of our entire community. Consider becoming a mentor in your area; your guidance could make a profound difference in a young person's life.

How Volunteering Transforms You From the Inside Out

Volunteering has been one of the most grounding and fulfilling aspects of my life. Once a month, I seek out interesting, fun, and purposeful volunteer opportunities. Giving back shifts my perspective on what truly matters in life. That's why, on some missions, I bring my children along.

According to the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, through volunteering, children learn important life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. These experiences prepare them for future personal and professional endeavors. ​

It’s important to me that my children not only see the needs that exist in our world but also learn that we have the ability to give others a hand up. These experiences are more than moments of service; they’re lessons in empathy, compassion, and humanity. It's one of the most powerful ways I can lead by example and teach them the value of kindness, humility, showing up for others, and giving back.

Volunteering at Fight2Feed

It reminds me that even in small moments, we create significant sparks when we give back; it generates the power that sparks change within others and ourselves.

It also deeply supports my mental and emotional well-being. Studies show that volunteering can reduce stress, ease symptoms of depression, and boost feelings of happiness and belonging. 

But beyond the science, I can tell you from experience that when you're serving others, you can't help but grow.

• It gives you purpose.

• It reconnects you with compassion.

• It reminds you what matters, and so does your contribution.

• A small investment in love generates powerful results.

  
  

Volunteering isn't just about personal growth; it's about community transformation.

When we give back, we help build bridges of trust, support, and empowerment. We plant seeds that grow into stronger, more connected neighborhoods. 

Whether it's helping someone find their confidence, providing support, mentoring, coaching, food drives, or advocacy work, those moments spark far beyond what we can see. Every act of service is a building block in someone's future and a brighter community.

Giving Back Through Life Coaching in the Community

At Disrupt The Impossible, we believe in walking the talk. That's why we created Life Coaching In The Community, a volunteer-based initiative offering complimentary personal and professional group coaching to those who may want to experience or are curious about coaching, or want to uncover their strengths to accomplish their future goals.

We give our time, tools, and expertise to support individuals who are ready to transform their lives but may not have access to coaching resources. 

These sessions are rooted in empowerment, a safe space, growth, healing, and a mindset shift because everyone deserves the opportunity to use the gifts that god has blessed them with, and sometimes, they may just need assistance in channeling those beautiful elements to the surface. 

We always seek venues and community partners to host Life Coaching In The Community sessions. Please reach out if you know of a location that could benefit from this work. This is our way of investing by creating positive disruption and serving from the heart, and we'd love to collaborate with those who share the same mission.

Life Coaching In The Community Workshop

Where to Start: Volunteering Opportunities Near You

If you're ready to step into service but not sure where to begin, here are some platforms and organizations to explore:

• Big Shoulders Fund – bigshouldersfund.org

A Chicago-based organization focused on education, mentoring, and community support.

• United Way – unitedway.org

Connects you with local opportunities to support youth, education, and health initiatives.

• VolunteerMatch – volunteermatch.org

A powerful search engine that matches you with opportunities based on your interests and location.

• Fight2Feed – fight2feed.org

  A Chicago-based nonprofit rescues surplus food and prepares hot meals for individuals experiencing hunger and homelessness.

  
  

No matter your passion, whether it's mentoring youth, supporting mental health initiatives, feeding families, or teaching life skills, there's a place for your heart and hands to serve.

A Heartfelt Invitation

If you've ever thought about volunteering but weren't sure where to start, small.

Start with one hour. One mission at a time.

You never know how deeply your presence might change someone's life.

And if you're already volunteering, I'd love to hear from you:

• What keeps you coming back to serve?

• How has giving back transformed your mindset or well-being?

• What's the most meaningful moment you've had while volunteering?

We don't have to wait for the world to change; we can be the ones who change it.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

— Mahatma Gandhi.

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Please consider sharing this information if you know someone who can connect with this story.

I wish you Blessings, Peace, Light, Love, and Success 💕! 

Meet Shana O'Conners

Shana is a Master Certified Coach, Certified Everything DiSC®, and Meditation Practitioner dedicated to helping individuals and organizations disrupt limitations and construct lasting transformation. Through a unique blend of strategic coaching, holistic practices, and high-touch support, Shana empowers clients to achieve bold goals, lead with confidence, and elevate every area of their lives and businesses. She specializes in transforming individuals and employee culture, creating engaged, purpose-driven teams through mindset shifts, accountability, and emotional intelligence.

Ready to disrupt the impossible?

Visit www.DisruptTheImpossible.com to explore our services and schedule your complimentary session.

With Disrupt The Impossible, you won't just survive; you'll thrive. Let's build the life, business, and culture you love and envision.

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