At iACT, we have great appreciation for the wonderful volunteers who make our service work possible! In this Volunteer Spotlight iACT Volunteer Claire Kinder tells us a little more about herself.
Q: How long have you been in Austin?
A: I initially moved to Austin in 2007. I spent a few years in Memphis and recently moved back in January of 2021. It feels great to be home!
How long have you volunteered with iACT?
I have been officially volunteering with iACT since last fall, but my roots in iACT’s work run deep and much further back.
What made you want to volunteer with iACT?
I learned of iACT when I applied for a job in the winter of 2014 and have been hooked ever since. I joke that when you join the work of iACT you get a lifetime membership! I worked for iACT until my move out of state and have stayed connected to Simone and other team members in the years since. I was overjoyed to reconnect in person when I moved back to town, and have always believed in the mission and values of the organization, especially after witnessing first-hand how sincere and steadfast the heart of iACT truly is as we all navigated the pandemic. Like most people, life looks a lot different than it did in 2014 but I am honored to still be able to spend a portion of my time alongside the staff and the clients of iACT.
What do you enjoy most about working with iACT?
To me, it is all about the people. From the leadership to the staff to the other volunteers, every single person on the team is passionate about what they are doing and that enthusiasm is contagious; the goodwill is energizing. Now more than ever, the world needs opportunities to foster connectedness and service to and with others. iACT is a kaleidoscope of souls in the most beautiful way, showing society a different path to interact and engage with one another.
What’s the most challenging thing about working with iACT that you experienced?
When you get involved with iACT, you quickly see that there is an endless amount of need in our community and our world. It can be hard to bear witness to that, to look into the face of inequity, struggle, or even suffering of our neighbors and Austin family. For me, it feels hard to face the limits of what I can do, offer, or even control.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working with iACT that you experienced?
That being said, this work is grounding, centering, and fulfilling in a way that is quite rare. I absolutely love getting to know the stories of the participants and clients of iACT and feel that through the unique programs offered by iACT, there comes a deeper awareness of the beauty and soul of the Austin community.
Why would you encourage others to perform similar volunteer work with iACT?
At iACT, there is truly a space for everyone. Through interacting with the work of the organization, you will be changed as a person. You will learn to hold space for both grief and hope. You will experience frustration with broken societal systems and foster tenacity to change the way things are to promote a more just and inclusive world. You will practice acceptance and curiosity for both yourself and others. Volunteers are in the position of giving of their time, but when it comes to volunteering with iACT, the greatest gifts lie in witnessing and participating in the sacred work of communal healing.
