Mary’s Center has been part of my life since before I can even remember. Some of my earliest memories are of me at the Christmas events helping hand out gifts and taking pictures with Santa. Fast forward almost a decade later, when it came time for me to decide where I was going to complete my high school Student Service Learning graduation requirement, choosing Mary’s Center felt natural.
Unlike the few and somewhat random times I came to Mary’s Center in the past, I was now solely dedicated to Mary’s Center for at least sixty hours. The requirement appeared daunting at first, as I spent my first days sitting in the sweltering garage at the Adams Morgan location, folding and sorting what seemed like an endless stream of donations. Although the work was difficult, it helped me realize that making a difference rarely begins in the spotlight.
It took me over a month of working behind the scenes before I got to see the impact of my long hours at the annual August Back-to-School event, where hundreds of families from around the DMV come to a Mary’s Center location to receive everything from clothes to school supplies. Seeing the joy on the faces of children and parents alike made me realize that every box packed and every donation sorted had helped make that day possible.
As I spent more time volunteering, I also came to better understand the scope of Mary’s Center’s work. I saw firsthand how the organization cares for the entire family unit, providing everything from prenatal and healthcare to social services and wraparound support that helps newcomers and other families navigate benefits and build stable lives. I even met several employees who also grew up participating in Mary’s Center programs.
Witnessing this approach showed me why Mary’s Center has such a lasting impact on the communities it serves. My relationship with Mary’s Center continued during the school year, as I helped organize an annual Thanksgiving Drive in partnership with the Sidwell Friends Latin American Society. I ultimately brought the spirit of Mary’s Center into my own school through this tradition, ensuring I could continue supporting their mission even when I couldn’t be there in person.
I was honored that Mary’s Center Founder and Former CEO, Maria Gomez, accepted my invitation to speak at Sidwell Friends this April about her experience creating Mary’s Center and immigrating to the United States. Her words touched a lot of students and reminded us that lasting change begins with someone who is willing to serve others with determination and compassion. It was incredibly meaningful to help share her story with my school community and inspire others to become involved in Mary’s Center’s work.
As I fully returned to Mary’s Center this summer to complete my work hours requirement, what stood out to me the most was not the workload or the events I participated in, but the people. Over the past two years, Mary’s Center has become a second family to me. Whether it was doing Zumba with Briya families on Field Day or simply sitting in the park eating lunch with other team members, I have been so lucky to work with a group of people who truly dedicate their heart and soul to the work they do.
For example, helping support the Coffee and Connections networking event gave me a chance to see the broader network of community partners, businesses, and organizations that work alongside Mary’s Center, reinforcing that meaningful change is only possible through collaboration. Their shared commitment to serving others is the reason Mary’s Center has become such a special place for so many families. I have never been part of a community so dedicated and resilient.
One of the greatest lessons Mary’s Center has taught me is that no matter how young or old you are, there is always a role for everyone to make a difference. I hope to continue carrying that lesson with me and to inspire others to get involved, because even the smallest acts of service can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.