Every quarter, I dedicate some of my time to giving back. I understand that not very nonprofit has the ability to fund all of their projects, so I use Catchafire to help out. I do make sure that I have the means to volunteer like time, health, and budget (can’t pour from an empty glass and all that), so I limit how many volunteer projects I take on at one time. This quarter, I have my focus on two organizations: the Wonder Connection and Emotion Literacy Advocates. It’s been a pleasure to work with both of these groups and I couldn’t be more proud of the work they both do.
Wonder Connection
The Wonder Connection is a project through the organization SEE that brings natural science experiments to children in the hospital in North Carolina. This organization has been a blast to work with. Their team is incredibly responsive and always very understanding. They also have one of my favorite color palettes to work with. Plus, I love being able to decorate print pieces with little butterflies and caterpillars.
They also have some of the most extensive print needs that I’ve worked with as a freelancer. I’m never bored with a project from Wonder Connection. I’ve worked on postcards, info sheets, letterheads, and even making the certificates that get presented to the little scientists!
This project has a special place in my heart because I can relate to these kids. Before the age of 3, I was hospitalized twice for my asthma troubles. I even spent a birthday in the hospital. I wish I had a program like this to distract me from the wires and tubes and machines. I’m thrilled to be able to work on a program like this and to put a smile on a little one’s face!
Emotion Literacy Advocates
My work with Emotion Literacy Advocates is still in its early stages, but I’m already in love with the mission: to produce arts-based learning tools for humans of all ages to aid in understanding their own mental health. This is such a dedicated group of artists, musicians, and actors that create these original resources. They are incredibly thoughtful and a hardworking group.
So far, most of my duties have been photo editing of original artwork to match their brand, but I am very excited to start creating original illustrations and graphics for their website. I love being able to work collaboratively with the ELA team and have already learned a lot more about mental health terminology.
Of course, this nonprofit’s mission also has a special place in my heart as well. I’ve been struggling with mental illness and my mental health has become my focus in the last 6 years. I’ve embraced cognitive therapy and medication to help me manage. I was lucky to have a warm and welcoming support system and I love working with a group like this that works to be a trusted system for others.
Stay tuned as I continue to use my powers of design for good and see what nonprofit organization I get to work with next! I encourage you to use your skills to help groups like this too. There’s always an opportunity to give back!