This Guest Post is part of a series in our Health Helps column, leading up to the Scotiabank Charity Challenge in October.
School was a struggle for me. I was diagnosed with a learning disability around fine motor skills. In my early teens I went through a rough patch. These factors peaked in high school and created very, very challenging times.
My name’s Zachary – and on October 14th, I will be running in the Scotiabank Marathon and participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge on behalf of Serve, because Serve was there when I needed it most.
In my twenties, I had no clear direction and was confused about my future. I stumbled upon an advertisement for Serve and applied. I got in as one of ten youth team members. This was a momentous moment in my life and is an experience I will never forget. At first I did not see the difference I was making along with the nine other youth. I had questions such as why am I here? How is this useful? What is this accomplishing? Soon, I no longer had these questions. I had grown leaps and bounds due to this program.
Not only did I see the impact it had on me personally, but I saw the impact it had on the other youth in my program. Each of my colleagues experienced their own personal growth. Some went back to school to develop their careers and others found work. And, we all found a new commitment and passion to do good work for their communities.
And me, well, I have my Masters in Social Work and I now work with children with mental health diagnosis. I remembered my challenges with learning disabilities and realized the importance of positive role models. I am also involved at a community legal clinic that enforces the rights of people living in poverty.
Serve taught me that, “diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.” This really rings true for me. If no one believed in me or in my gifts, I would not have had the opportunities I have had. I would not be where I am today.
My experiences in the non profit world has taught me the extreme challenges that marginalized communities face and that being a youth adds another layer of complexity. It has taught me that we need agencies such as Serve to build a positive society. My story to this point is not just about overcoming my personal barriers but helping others believe they can overcome theirs.
