Three years ago, I volunteered for a program called SunnyBlue, which works with people with autism. When I signed up to help this program, my mind viewed this as some kind of "easy" outlet for getting community service hours. I saw myself as not much more than an extra set of hands. The value of the work was something I was not familiar with. But that changed once I stepped onto the badminton court. Helping run the activity, I discovered I was involved in something so much more than I expected. 

On both sides of the net, I got to know the participants individually. I learned to love their personalities, quirks, and the explosion of fun they have with each swing of the racket. One of these moments was enabling a player with autism to become a real part of the group. With just a little bit of guidance and patience, I watched them grow in confidence, their smiles getting wider with every rally. In that moment, I realized my position wasn't just about helping everything go smoothly; I was part of providing a safe place for them to express themselves and to empower confidence in who they were. It was the excitement of those children and the resilience of their parents that opened my mind toward the difference I could make by merely being there and being present. This experience changed not only my perception about community service but also taught me a valuable lesson in the building of authentic relationships. 

Thereafter, I continued as an active SunnyBlue member, always committed to serving individuals with autism. Events like the meet-and-greet held with our local sheriff's department helped me bridge understanding with our neurodivergent kids, their families, and our very receptive police officers. This meeting opened doors for greater understanding of the neuro disorder and fostered a newfound sense of compassion within our city. In the organization, I had taken initiative as vice president to coach tennis lessons for our autistic participants. The outdoor experience helped them learn a new sport and further develop their social skills, building new interests. One of the highlights of my time with SunnyBlue was holding a talent show for our kids with autism. I even took the stage to perform with our talented individuals. Linked with the core skills they learned at SunnyBlue, our participants were allowed to express their particular talents, and our community was allowed to celebrate their skills in a supportive atmosphere. Today, my team and I have grown the organization into a total of 15 volunteers committed to improving the lives of individuals with autism and increasing awareness about the disorder in our community.

Through my journey at SunnyBlue, I have learned that the difference we make may be small in number, but it grows even more with every single person we reach and every connection we go out of our way to make. Be it through coaching or organizing events, I feel proud knowing that every contribution has helped create a welcoming space where our community’s neurodivergent members can thrive!