To Grow Yourself, Grow Your Community

Note: This is an entry in our Community Roll Call Series, a biweekly collection of our internal team’s personal experiences building and strengthening community in their own lives. If you’re inspired by something you see, connect with us: https://www.newaukee.com/our-team

Embracing community was something I appreciated very early on in life. As an only child, my parents kept me very active. Whether it was summer camp, club sports, local volunteering, Girl Scouts, or spending time with friends and family, I was surrounded by communities that showed me love, inspired my creativity, and empowered me to be the greatest version of myself.

To this day, reminders of my childhood communities and connections are ever present. One of my favorite moments was during my first year working for a local nonprofit. My colleague and I were tasked with revamping a youth development program. While searching through boxes of papers, scattered tchotchkes, and aged t-shirts, I found an intake form from a student that made me laugh. Her experience and tone felt very familiar. To my surprise, it was mine! The smile and warmth I felt in that moment made me dig deeper and motivated me to recreate that feeling for another young person.

Lauren Rock (center) with her community

We went to work with recruitment and quickly charted innovative ways to help youth explore their passions and career opportunities through volunteerism. The group’s goal was centered on raising awareness about the importance of taking care of our planet and encouraging young people to adopt eco-friendly habits. We organized school campaigns, participated in global observances, and hosted fun activities to teach our community about recycling, reducing waste, energy conservation, and other sustainability practices. I encouraged each member to explore their passions, leadership style, and skills to share their ideas and take an active role in organizing activities. The community grew over the years to become a space where young people could come together to learn, connect, and make a positive impact on the environment.

– Lauren Rock

Want to connect with me? Find my LinkedIn profile here.