As a seventh-grade student carefully tries to decipher difficult algebra problems, sophomore Suzie Mondragon quickly answers to guide the student. Mondragon is helping this student as a volunteer for DreamCatchers, an organization dedicated to helping middle school students get tutoring from high school and college students.

Mondragon said she has experienced personal growth through DreamCatchers and enjoys watching students improve themselves through learning. In addition to that, Mondragon said she likes to help the community and the world.

“It’s fun spending time with the middle schoolers, and it’s interesting to see them grow,” Mondragon said. “It does make me feel good to see that these kids are doing better in school, and I like giving back to the community.”

Mondragon is just one of many Paly students who volunteer part-time. Work Experience Teacher Rachael Kaci said community service benefits both the community and the students.

“(Volunteering) makes sure that needs are being met within our community, whether that’s a homeless shelter, getting support (or) tutoring for children,” Kaci said. “The other need that’s being met is (the volunteer’s) self-worth. You’re gaining (self-confidence) because you are spending your valuable time by doing something to give back and you’re not expecting anything in return.”

Mondragon has done community service projects for various organizations over the years.

“I helped with a fundraiser for Stanford,” Mondragon said. “They were doing a 5K (run) for hereditary heart diseases, (which) I helped set up and worked with the people who were running that race. I’m also a volunteer for DreamCatchers as a tutor for seventh graders in all subjects.”

Kaci also said students choose to do community service because they are interested in helping.

“The students who I work with who do additional volunteer work are really passionate about what it is that they do,” Kaci said.

Sophomore Iverson Lee, who will be working with Youth Community Service this summer, said he will be doing a variety of activities this summer.

“I’ll be working with YCS for their summer service, creating different service projects in different areas… like making infographics for public health issues (and) going out to community service events,” Lee said.

Senior Grace Gormley, who is the president of Best Buddies club, said the club is dedicated to creating friendships and activities for special education students.

“The idea is to create like one-on-one friendships between kids without IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) and kids with IDD because a lot of kids with IDD have what’s called an Individualized Education Plan, and so it means that they aren’t in as many classes with kids without those plans,” Gormley said. “It’s harder for them to form genuine friendships so Best Buddies basically provides a space so that people can form connections with other people who are not like them.”

Gormley said students who participate in the club do not receive service hours, but instead get other benefits.

“It’s definitely not like community service for hours, but like it is kind of a service to the community,” Gormley said.

Gormley also said the club teaches valuable lessons to students who don’t have IDD.

“It also benefits the kids without IDD because it helps you form a genuine connection with somebody whose brain doesn’t exactly work just like yours,” Gormley said. “And it helps to create a sort of a sense of respect for all people.”

Lee said he chose to work with YCS because he knew of the organization and it interested him.

“I was going to do something with them when I was much younger,” Lee said. “I already have an understanding of it, unlike other (volunteer) places where I’ve not really been familiarized with.”

Kaci said when students have a genuine passion for community service, they get more out of their service.

“If you have that ability to volunteer often, it’s in your best interest that you’re continuing to do it,” Kaci said. “It’s because you really care about (the community).”

Gormley said she joined the Best Buddies Club because she wants to make sure students feel included and because she cares about people.

“I’ve always gravitated towards trying to make sure that everybody feels included and cared for,” Gormley said. “And I guess that being a part of Best Buddies just sort of was a natural progression from that, and I think that anybody who feels the need to make sure that everybody has a safe place and community should think about joining Best Buddies.”

Gormley said she has learned many important skills and lessons through the Best Buddies Club.

“Being just one member has helped me build a lot of inclusion, a lot of open mindedness and a lot of new friendships,” Gormley said. “But then also as the President of the club, I have had to learn a lot of leadership and time management, making sure that everybody is taken care of.”

Kaci said community service is also helpful for exploring possible career paths in the future.

“It’s a great way to think about your career moving forward,” Kaci said. “If you’re really enjoying working with students with disabilities, maybe you’ll become a teacher, like a special education teacher.”

Kaci also said exploring different volunteering opportunities can help students determine which activities they are interested in.

“It is OK to dislike going through other people’s leftover clothes and organizing them,” Kaci said. “You don’t have to like doing that. Maybe you don’t want to go into retail then.”

Mondragon said community service with younger kids has helped her develop as a person and has led to personal growth.

“I volunteered at a kids camp, and I definitely think I learned to be more patient after working with 5-year-olds and 8-year-olds,” Mondragon said.

Lee said he hopes to make connections and discover new activities, hobbies and communities through volunteer work.

“Given the opportunity (I want) to meet new people, grow my environment, be able to meet new people and do good for our community,” Lee said.

Kaci said she wants students to figure out themselves through community service.

“I really hope that people are learning more about themselves and what’s making them happy, throughout the experience,” Kaci said.

Mondragon also said helping out the community not only benefits the community but also gives her pride.

“(I’ve learned to) give back to the community more,” Mondragon said. “It makes me feel like I’m putting something good out into the world and I’m helping people, even if it’s in small ways.”