Kele began as a weekly Girl Connect volunteer when she was a student at Texas State University. When Kele moved to Houston, she remained engaged with Girls Empowerment Network and continued co-facilitating our Girl Connect program. Now, Kele is one of our weekly virtual Girl Connect volunteers and co-facilitators! Her commitment to igniting the power in girls is exceptional! - Brittany Yelverton, Director of Community Engagement
Kele Isibor
"Kele is a phenomenal volunteer whose passion for girlhood shines extremely bright. She brings a positive energy to every Girl Connect, and stays ready to help however she can. We are so lucky to have a volunteer like Kele who is committed to helping us ignite the power in girls!"- Direct Service Intern, Jasmine Pena
What sparked your interest and made you want to volunteer at Girls Empowerment Network?
I am always looking for a way to better serve my community, so when I saw the Girls empowerment Network table at a volunteer fair the name alone drew me in. As I learned about GEN’s commitment to building bold and self-assured young girls, I viewed volunteering as my way of supporting the next generation of women. Furthermore, I was impressed by how true the workshops and programs are to the evolving needs of young girls.
Can you tell me about an experience you had while volunteering that resonated with you?
During a recent Girl Connect meeting focused on "values, voting and voice" the girls and I worked on an activity that asked us to identify and share our values. I drew a figure that was meant to resemble me and around it wrote qualities I admire and strive to embody: empathy, open-mindedness, and veraciousness. When it came time to share, I found that despite our age differences and diverse backgrounds shared values united us. I could see myself in each girl; it was a beautiful bonding moment.
Looking back, what advice did you need to hear as a young girl?
Our differences are our superpower! When I was younger, I prioritized fitting in over finding my own path and passions. It took me time to figure out that my unique characteristics are what make me who I am and I should not feel the need to mask or run away from them. Young girls should be encouraged to pursue their own paths and champion their individuality.
How has volunteering at Girls Empowerment increased your self-efficacy?
It’s funny; sometimes I feel like I am learning just as much as the girls. During my volunteer sessions, I get the opportunity to listen in, learn about frameworks that promote personal growth, and unlearn negative and unproductive practices. Next time I face hardship, I have a wealth of knowledge (courtesy of my role as a volunteer) I can use to overcome it.
How do you believe Covid-19 has impacted your perspective on the need for having a community?
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced my belief that being connected to your community is vital. For the sake of mental and personal well- being, it is important to be reassured that people care for you and have your back. No one should feel alone during a time of unprecedented challenges. Now more than ever we need the support of our communities. Together we can get through anything.
What are some ways that you are prioritizing your mental health during this time?
I have the privilege of being able to work from home. Like a lot of people, right now, my bedroom doubles as my office. It’s been difficult navigating how to separate work time and self-care time, especially when they both occur in the same place. I am working on setting and sticking to my boundaries. So far, I have been scheduling blocks of time to do things I enjoy: watching cooking videos, documentaries, or just sitting outside and taking in the day.