A. Paris
Why I volunteerI found out my Dad had lung cancer when I was 25. We had barely spoke in ten years, but I decided to live with him as his caregiver until he died two years later. It was during that time that I realized how short life is and started questioning what was important and what it was that was stopping me from being happy. The grief I experienced before and after his death was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was emotional and physical. It put me on a life changing path I could never have imagined. I spent the next five years traveling around the world looking for what would bring me joy. The experiences I had were magical, but I realized that no matter how long I spent on tropical beaches, for me, happiness would have to come from within. That's what lead me to wanting to pursue a career in mental health, and is why I'm studying psychology at Portland State University and Volunteering at The Dougy Center.
Throughout my life I've been blessed by the generosity of friends and strangers. Once I began to root myself in Portland, I found myself in a situation where I could finally begin to give back. Recognizing the impact grief had on my life, I knew I wanted to volunteer with those who may be experiencing anything that resembled what it was that I went through. It is an honor to be able to facilitate group sessions and be a part of their journeys. |
What is the dougy center?
"The mission of Dougy Center is to provide grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. We provide support and training locally, nationally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children who are grieving."
- dougy.org
- dougy.org