Student Activities Blogs

Meg Carley

My First Blog Ever

Hi friends. My name is Meg Carley and I was asked to start this blog and let y’all know about some of my day to day activities. Before I start doing that, I think I should let you know a little more about me. Let’s see, I’ll start at the beginning. I was born on July 29th, 1987 with my twin sister Lisa (just to let you know now, we’re nothing alike). I grew up in Darien, CT and live there still. I never really found my niche until my freshman year in high school when I joined my church youth group. At first, I did it because my older brother and sister were in it but eventually, I did it because I wanted to. For four years I volunteered with them; I was given the opportunity to do such things as going into New York City to bring some of the homeless population food and clothes. I think my favorite volunteer experience with them was being able to go to Kentucky for four summers in a row and build a one story house in a week. It was physically exhausting but instantly gratifying. I’ve gone back to see some of the houses I helped build and it was an amazing feeling. I enjoyed getting a tan as well so no complaints here. Just kidding. Kind of.

Anywho, once I entered college I took a break from volunteering. I didn’t do much until I decided to apply to a Community Outreach Alternative Break in the spring of my sophomore year. I applied to go to Bridgeport, CT to learn more about affordable housing. I decided to apply when I was surfing the website. I thought, why not? I didn’t think much about it after I applied and then the phone call came. I got an interview to go on the trip. Oh geez. I feel the same way about interviews as everybody else. Not good. After my interview I had to wipe my hands a multiple amount of times because I was sweating so much (I have hyperhydrosis although it’s self-diagnosed. Don’t ask.). I got back to my room and immediately thought I didn’t get it. “Welp, better luck next time” I thought.

A few days later I got the e-mail that told me I got on the trip. Of course, I played it cool (by that, I mean I danced around the room and let loose). It ended up being a great trip and shortly after that I applied to be a Community Outreach trip director for my junior year. I got the job and have been busy ever since.

Other than being a trip director, I’ve also volunteered this year with Habitat for Humanity by going to Hawaii over Thanksgiving Break and helped to build homes for a week. It’s an amazing place with a very unique culture and I recommend everyone go there at least once. I also had the opportunity to go to Biloxi, Mississippi with Community Outreach for two weeks to help with gulf coast relief. It was an amazing experience that I hope I’m able to do again next year. Other than doing service trips, I also volunteer with Jumpstart which is an organization that promotes intense one-to-one relationships with pre-school children. It’s an organization whose goal is to improve early childhood education and not let young children “fall through the cracks”. It’s a program that definitely keeps me busy but my Jumpstart child, Dominick, makes it all worth it. When I first started working with him in November, he would barely acknowledge my presence and never looked forward to reading time. After four months of intense one-to-one supervision, he now loves reading so much that he’ll choose to read during his free time. He’s an amazing kid and working with him has also allowed me to re-read some of my childhood favorites such as Where the Wild Things Are (love that book). It’s been a busy year so far but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Well, I think that’s all I have to say for now. I don’t want this conversation to seem too one-sided so let me know what’s going on (as Marvin Gaye would say). Thanks for reading and I’ll keep in touch.