Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Why one Bham professional encourages others to volunteer with young people
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Volunteering with young people wasn’t part of Kamryn (Kam) Bendolph’s plan. But when a coworker invited the Birmingham-Southern College grad to come along to an event with the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society, she said yes.
Read on to learn how she’s changing the lives of children by volunteering with an awesome local organization.
Meet Kam Bendolph
Kam ran track at Birmingham-Southern College; Kyndall Waters, then Athletic Director at BSC. (Kam Bendolph)
Kamryn Bendolph is originally from Huntsville, Alabama, and works as a data analyst at Brasfield & Gorrie. At Birmingham-Southern College, she ran track, and just completed her MBA at UAB.
In her spare time, she loves running, has an orange tabby named Felix and serves on the Railroad Park Junior Board.
She was introduced to United Way when a coworker emailed her to invite her to an event.
Teaching business etiquette with the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society
The J. Mason Davis Leadership Society brings together African American change makers who champion diversity and opportunity. They recently hosted an event where middle school students learned about business etiquette.
When Kam’s coworker Daphne invited her to the event, it was an easy yes.
Nine adults spoke to about 50 students, helping prepare them for expectations in the business world.
Here are some things they shared:
- Behavioral + clothing expectations for men + women
- How to shake hands, make eye contact + introduce yourself
Reading to students
J. Mason Davis Leadership Society volunteers reading to students + packing books to give to students. (United Way of Central Alabama)
With United Way of Central Alabama, Kam had the opportunity to read to K-2 students at a local elementary school.
Volunteers passed a picture book out to the students who each got their own copy.
They then read to the children, asking them if they had any questions throughout.
Finally, Kam asked what they want to be when they grow up and if they had questions about her career.
How volunteering has changed Kam as a young professional
Kam explained that volunteering with United Way has exposed her to different needs. For example, she had never experienced anything like the business etiquette class she helped teach while she was growing up. Because of that, there were a lot of things she had to learn by watching people around her.
By reading to local students, she saw that kids want to learn and love being exposed to different people.
“They want to see people who look like them and find out what they’re doing with their lives. That way, when they get older, they can say ‘she can do it; I can do it, too.’
Kam Bendolph, Data Analyst, Brasfield & Gorrie
I’m a Black girl in a predominantly white company and I can make a name for myself. So can you. You just have to stick to the course. Eventually you’ll be able to take care of yourself and do big things.’”
Get involved
When I asked Kam what she would say to other young (or any age) professionals who are thinking about getting involved, this was her answer: “Do it!”
UWCA has helped her get to know the community and coworkers she never would have come into contact with. She’s also met amazing people while volunteering, and some have become friends.
For someone who’s not from Birmingham, and who doesn’t have family here, this is invaluable.
She also emphasized that with such a broad scope, UWCA really does have something for everyone.
Learn more about UWCA’s work with young people:
Find out how you can get involved in United Way of Central Alabama today.
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