I just gave to the Building Skills Partnership's (buildingskills.org) as they help immigrants gain the basic educational and vocational skills they need to better their lives and participate in their new communities. As a former ESL teacher, I have seen first hand the need for educational opportunities that will strengthen the lives of immigrants and also our whole community.

We’ve long believed that we should leave the world better than we found it. Giving to Sierra Service Project lets us do that in so many ways. Young people – thousands of them – learn about hard, physical work and gritty living conditions, the value and experience of giving their time and energy, and the diversity of cultures and basic needs that are part of our broader community. The families served by the teams get better living conditions, share their culture, and experience that the society that has largely left them behind has not forgotten them entirely. These lessons are priceless. Our financial gifts that help make them possible have a pay-off that goes way beyond the dollars, making our community a better place in many different ways.

I give because it could be me any day with the economy and furloughs, there's no telling what can happen.

Youth of all ages and from many types of backgrounds (at-risk youth, youth from single-parent homes, foster youth, etc.)have one thing in common: the extreme amount of potential to not only achieve their own personal goals in life but to become our leaders of tomorrow. Giving back to our youth has been a deep passion of mine for many years now. The heart-felt rewards from giving to our youth far outweigh any tax break or obligated duties. The great thing about giving to our youth is that there are so many ways in which to do so, such as: hanging out with a young boy and teaching him to play football for the first time, making the commitment to be a mentor, or teaching them a life skill that comes so naturally to you like cooking or sewing. The list goes on and on. For me it's being able to put a smile on their face. I just recently had such an experience when I was given the opportunity to not only interact with but also surprise the youth from the Sacramento Youth Project. Their youth center is fairly new with undecorated walls and an empty kitchen. One day after school when they all came pouring into the youth center they were greeted with a welcoming decor, a well stocked kitchen, a(dorm-sized)refrigerator full of water and sports drinks, and about half a dozen pizzas. The smiles and positive energy that filled the room was priceless. Non-profits like MAAP, Inc. who provide youth programs like the Sacramento Youth Project (www.maap.org/youth)help me to not only get involved with our youth but also provides ways in which we can inspire, motivate,and encourage our youth as they take their journey to becoming leaders.

My grandparents always impressed upon us kids the importance of giving and of being of service to the community...particularly to the elders. I give as a tribute to their teaching.