Volunteer of the Week: Sarah Taing

From my time volunteering at Trojan Shelter I’ve become more aware of other people’s perspectives. It is easy to get caught up in your own life and your own struggles while not considering what other people may be going through. Every night I volunteer I realize there is more to life than what I’ve experienced. I think Trojan Shelter is great at humbling people and making people more aware of others. Something I love about Trojan Shelter is that we emphasize viewing them as equals rather than separating between the residents and us, the staff. We do this by having family style dinners and talking on an equal standing. We often share about our days, and through my time there I realize how easy it is to relate to them. Although we come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives to offer, in many ways we are very similar as well. This program helps lessen the stigma of low income or homelessness and humanizes the people behind those labels. In LA there is a lot of homelessness and there needs to be a social transformation in the way people view this community. Instead of associating homelessness with dirtiness or laziness, we need to realize that they are normal people who have just been a bit less fortunate. After some time volunteering, I can’t see how anyone can view them as lazy; if anything they are working harder than most students to get their education. The residents are attending college despite their financial struggles and that is something to be applauded. 

A lot of people at USC may not realize it but it is so easy when you have parents that have your back and can provide everything you need to succeed. I didn’t have that either and I know how stressful it can be to figure everything out on your own. Though the program is still very young, and we are all still figuring out many things, this is a program that I am very proud to be a part of. I remember just getting the email that I got chosen as a volunteer and I was so happy to have found something I am passionate to be involved in. It gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I was helping out a community of people that I can identify with. Helping them is really beneficial to me as well since I feel like a valuable member of the LA community, as I am contributing to something truly great.