The world has been quietly whispering, and then yelling, at me to believe in myself. I’m motivated and excited to take this gigantic leap as a small business owner. Nearly a year ago, a career coach mentioned to me that I am in the latter third of my career and it’s time to figure out what I really want to do. After swearing in my mind, I shook off his remark about my age and agreed with his underlying premise that our lifetimes aren’t endless. We need to make the best use of the time we have.
I’ve had multiple interesting careers and incredible experiences and the last nine and a half years I worked in healthcare philanthropy. My work was like vanilla ice cream–just fine and sometimes even delicious. Many times, though, I knew that the chocolate sauce and cherry on top were missing. I was pushing myself to find joy in the “great job” with a respectable employer. I’ve decided that its time for me to do what I enjoyed most as a professional; it was being a consultant for nonprofit organizations.
When I work with diverse nonprofit organizations, I feel like I am feeding my soul. I have been a trainer, capacity builder, and grant writer. I worked for JVA Consulting from 2000-2005 and 2006-2013. I took a year off to write grants for Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA) and teach art history at Colorado State University. I liked my time in the arts, yet realized that I missed being part of a team working on our world’s biggest challenges. I thrived on the fast pace and loved being surrounded by people with whom I shared values. We didn’t necessarily share the same faith or political beliefs, yet we all believed in the power of social change.
Social change agents share a belief in human power. Each of us has the power and agency to improve our world. Each of us have an abundance to make the world better. For some that is giving financial support and leveraging connections, while others may give their time, ideas, and creativity to help bring about positive change.
I’m working on a series of Blogs and Vlogs (video blogs) to inspire people to integrate volunteering in their lives. Whether formal or informal volunteering, it’s easy to do when you walk through life with an awareness of need, an understanding that you can make a positive difference, and BELIEF that your actions can be fulfilling in a way that nothing else is.
Just in the last year, I assisted a homeless man with a court hearing and a woman living in a home with domestic violence. Years ago, I assisted a man with a substance use problem and two homeless teenagers with housing, education and finances. My friends often ask me, “How do you get into these situations? How do you find these people?” The answer is that I keep my eyes open.
I’m formally connected to numerous social groups and through those I am linked to community needs. I am a member of Rotary International, PEO International (a women’s service group), and First United Presbyterian Church. I also periodically volunteer in my community and am keenly aware of people in need. I can just see it when many others don’t. I am willing to spend my time, mental energy, cooking/ baking, and physical strength to help people and organizations that I know are doing good. Learn more about my experiences through my weekly Vlog that I am calling “Adventures | Misadventures of a Lifelong Volunteer.” Fortunately, I’ve had more adventures than misadventures.
My professional experience is unique because it is so varied and the variety has matched my personality well. In the broadest sense, I care about making the world a better place and I believe it can be accomplished in thousands of ways. Through employment, contract and volunteer experiences, I have contributed to social change through organizations that address:
- Arts
- Behavioral Health
- Community development
- Early childhood and K-12 education
- Environment
- Faith
- Family support
- Food insecurity
- Healthcare and access
- Historic preservation
- Housing
- Human services
- International economic development
- Older adults
- Suicide prevention
- Women’s education
- Youth development
Cheers to new work and volunteer experiences ahead! I have 45 blogs planned. I don’t expect to complete all of these in 2024. When I envisioned them, that was my plan. Once I realized that I need to make a living beyond writing and recording podcasts, I decided that I my goal needed to be pulled back. I am using my own advice and creating a SMART goal. Here’s an example of a goal in the SMART format (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound): Ashley Kasprzak Consulting will release 24 blogs (two blogs per month) with lessons learned on the Partner for Purpose website in 2024.