It takes everyone’s involvement to create a community where all are served and have achieved self-sufficiency. This vision of Christian Community Services, Inc., (CCSI) is shared by Valerie McClain, Nashville’s Volunteer of the Month for May, and she’s doing her part to build on the Power of One.
“You don’t have to have a lot of money to help people better themselves,” Valerie says. “We all just have to help one another however we can.”
Valerie has volunteered weekly for the past fourteen years as a tutor for the middle and high school children whose families are receiving basic financial training and mentoring in the CCSI program. These families are working to become financially independent with homebuyers’ education classes throughout the year in the first of the CCSI’s five-year program. CCSI’s goal is to empower underserved families to achieve a legacy of social, spiritual and economic self-sufficiency.
In the CCSI tutoring program called P.A.S.S., Valerie helps young people with their homework and in activities that teach them life-skills. She encourages them to succeed in all areas of their personal, academic, and spiritual life. “I prefer the young people because it’s a joy for me to help them to be their best,” Valerie says. “Even more than tutoring it is mentoring – helping the kids figure out how to focus and helping them decide what to do next. That’s what I did when I was raising my two daughters,” she said.
Valerie was inspired to start tutoring by her pastor. “He kept preaching about making a commitment to serve. I heard my inner voice say, ‘Valerie, now’s the time for you to start serving’.” That was 14 years ago when she started in the tutoring program at Schrader Lane Church of Christ. But she felt her talents could be better utilized in the CCSI program that was also supported by the church.
“I’m so honored to be able to serve and invite you to join me as a volunteer at CCSI or any other non-profit organization that can use your talents,” Valerie said. “Listen to that voice within and make a commitment to serve somewhere!”
Doing Good is proud to recognize Valerie McClain, an employee of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, as Nashville’s Volunteer of theMonth for May.
Join the Conversation: Who inspires you to volunteer? What community service gives you joy?
Blog Written by: Karen E. Williams, a volunteer with Doing Good, an organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism. The website is www.DoingGood.tv. Nashville’s Volunteer of the Month is a free program which educates and inspires others to volunteer by sharing stories of local volunteers through media partners.
