Transforming Funding into Opportunity
“Personally, the experience of service offers a constant reminder of how privileged I am. This is something I think most people (middle and upper class that is) understand intellectually but to see how poverty invades all aspects of the lives of those that are unfortunate enough to suffer it offers important perspective on what really matters in life.”
Sean Dwyer serves as the Outreach Coordinator at Washington United Church of Christ (WUCC). His main roles are threefold: securing financial resources, recruiting and managing volunteers, and implementing new systems to increase his site’s effectiveness and efficiency.
In this role, Sean has felt the proudest of his fundraising efforts. Recently, he has successfully raised $30,000 through both grants and donations! With this new funding, the church will now be able to implement a brand-new summer youth employment program for students aged 13-15.
“The program will involve beautification service projects and enrichment/education opportunities for the youth,” says Sean. “Ensuring this program is implemented effectively and meaningfully for the youth is what I look forward to most. Accordingly, I hope to emphasize projects like this in my future career.”
Thinking back on his time at WUCC, Sean believes the most challenging aspect of local nonprofit work is navigating the scarcity of funding and resources. This reality has led Sean to think seriously about how to prioritize projects that will be the most impactful.
Despite these challenges, Sean would like to continue working in the nonprofit sector post-service. As a result of service, he now has a greater understanding of what community work entails. Having particularly enjoyed fundraising and other development work, he hopes to find a role emphasizing these activities. He also believes grad school may be in his future!
For Sean, service has also proved important for personal reflection.
“Personally,” he says, “the experience of service offers a constant reminder of how privileged I am. This is something I think most people (middle and upper class that is) understand intellectually but to see how poverty invades all aspects of the lives of those that are unfortunate enough to suffer it offers important perspective on what really matters in life.”
Thanks for your service, Sean!