YLS Volunteer Spotlight: Kaity Hughes
“Volunteering has always been more than just a way to give back."
During United Way’s recent Ready, Set, Supply! drive, YLS volunteer Kaity Hughes went above and beyond to support our efforts. In addition to purchasing supplies to donate, Kaity helped us organize donations, delivered supplies to local schools, and encouraged others to get involved. We’re so grateful for Kaity’s support and inspired by her passion for giving back to the community.
Read below to learn more from Kaity on her why for volunteering with United Way and YLS:
“Volunteering has always been more than just a way to give back — it's a great way to network while also making a difference, meet new friends, and explore your own community. Most of all, it's a way to immerse yourself in what is going on in your own community, instead of just reading a collection of data.
Seeing a 23% poverty rate on paper is very, very different than witnessing it first hand. Participating in volunteer work is a profound expression of my commitment to nurturing growth and fostering potential. Whether it's packing meals at Senior Resources, collecting supplies for schools served by United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium, or serving a meal at Transitions, I know the work I’m doing makes an impact right here in the Midlands.
In the context of education, I started to really see the biggest opportunity to make a difference. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about contributing to a student’s journey, watching their confidence take off as they grasp new concepts and skills. I’ve observed students who, despite their potential, struggled with the lack of support and resources. They are willing, capable, and most of all… they are deserving of an equitable education.
Volunteering in education allows me to be a part of their transformative experiences, to support their curiosity, and to inspire a lifelong love of learning. It’s a privilege to help shape their futures, and each moment spent supporting the journey towards leveling the playing field is a reminder of the power of generosity and the impact of collective effort in shaping a brighter tomorrow.”