[dmg_masonry_gallery...
College Bound 2026
read more
National Volunteer Month: JIT Coach Arnold on The Value of Volunteering
This Week, Arnold Yoon Shares His Own Words
April 20, 2023
Upcoming events
April 24: Financial Fitness 102 Workshop
April 26: Wellness Team Yoga Event
May 1: Financial Fitness 102 Workshop
May 3: Rise to Resilience Workshop
It’s been a whirlwind, but I’ve been volunteering with JIT for about a year and a half. The first volunteer role I played was as an event coordinator at the Pathways to Power Conference. It seemed like a lot of youth who were leaving school, getting ready for the real world, there was a job fair, career options and all kinds of advisors there. I directed traffic in the parking lot, so I didn’t get too engaged with the youth in that first experience.
After that, I became a Pathways to Financial Power coach. Right now, I’m coaching a youth who wants to be an application developer. I have experience in that field. I was an entrepreneur and created and sold some businesses, and now I’m working in a private software space. I’m hoping that my experience can help her.
I’m 46 years old, about to turn 47, and work full time. I used to be an 80-hour a week working person and I’ve controlled that a bit. Now I work about 50 hours a week, but I’ve found a way to diversify what I invest my time in so that I can volunteer.
I know that representation matters. I’m 20 years older than some of these youth, even if I don’t look it. But I try to be cognizant of the gap. When I speak to the youth, I don’t use executive communication. I want to use plain English. I don’t want to overly correct them, or try to be cool. I just want to be me. They can feel that authenticity. I try to be as human as possible.
I’ve volunteered with a lot of organizations and one thing I think JIT does well is properly match volunteers to their skill set. They try really hard to identify where people’s strengths are and then proactively reach out to people and pair them with opportunities. Many people who volunteer have a ton of really practical skills that they want to share.
“Volunteering has always been a part of my personality. It’s a personal currency thing for me. I get a lot out of helping people.”
-ARNOLD YOON, JIT VOLUNTEER
Happy national volunteer month to all the volunteers who make it possible at just in time!
To learn more about volunteering with Just in Time, visit our Volunteer Services page.
