The purpose of these events is to remind these children that they are appreciated, loved, and deserve to be celebrated each day. In being an active member of academia, it is my duty to be aware of what is going on in my community and my country. As many as 48 million Americans suffered from food insecurity in the year 2014. In addition, almost 47 million people were living in poverty. As a civical
ly engaged student, philanthropist, and leader I now feel it is my civil duty to aid those who suffer from food insecurity and help those that live in poverty. The great philanthropist Mahatma Ghandi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Similar to Ghandi, through my experience and service to others I have found my purpose in life and that is to educate and serve mankind. During the last few years, I have worked with numerous organizations concentrated on serving underprivileged youth and families suffering from food insecurity or living in poverty. As early as high school, I was very passionate about this platform and combined my love for the arts and philanthropy. I fulfilled my passion by hosting concerts and benefits for local homeless shelters and charities that serve families who are homeless or live in poverty. Upon enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I have been granted a multitude of opportunities that have not only deepened my insight into the human condition of poverty, but expanded my network, which in turn has strengthened my presence in the community. I would like to lead an initiative entitled Feeding America! This initiative, launched by myself with the support of the Miss America Organization, would be dedicated to helping stop poverty and food insecurity. In launching this initiative, I would visit Cleveland County, Gaston County, and Mecklenburg County High Schools and help them coordinate service projects which in turn would help feed and clothe those in need. These service projects would include clothing drives, canned food drives, hosting a dinner in a local church, making and distributing bag lunches to those that are homeless or in need. These service projects, partially led by the students themselves, would also help them civically engage in their community. Earlier this year I hosted an event entitled “Everyone’s Birthday” at The Relatives orphanage in Charlotte, North Carolina. The purpose of this event was to remind these kids that they are special and deserve to be celebrated every day. The Relatives Orphanage “Everyone’s Birthday” event included a birthday cake, confetti poppers, balloons, and other party favors for all of the children. Coordinating and hosting this event has further inspired me to continue to work with underprivileged populations. I would like to continue “Everyone’s Birthday” events for local orphanages and group homes. This would tie into the Feeding America! initiative as these youth come from poverty and have suffered food insecurity. However, in celebrating their present circumstance, this initiative will help prevent these youth from continuing a cycle of poverty and food insecurity. I would also like to educate and train other colleges and university students on how they can host an “Everyone’s Birthday” event with their local orphanage or group home. These events will not only remind these kids that they are special and deserve to be celebrated every day but will also strengthen cultural awareness among college students—a key asset in leadership, professionalism, and character development. Lastly, with the help of local community colleges, universities, and other institutions, I would like to partner with them to give college tours to those living in local homeless shelters or poverty. After the college tours I would like to host workshops on professionalism and goal setting. Furthermore, I would coordinate and host a career fair for those who are currently homeless, living in poverty, or suffering from food insecurity that are interested in pursuing a career. Combining these comprehensive strategies with resources would help those living in poverty or suffering from food insecurity not only obtain food, but target the core of poverty, which is a lack of education and opportunities. In doing so, we would create a tool for those in poverty or suffering from food insecurity to no longer be victims, and thus take on the world using the entirety of their untapped potential.
