Member

Candelaria

Location

Boston, MA

I am a writer,trainer/facilitator and arts and marketing consultant who lives in Boston. I have designed and facilitated workshops on a wide variety of topics, including communication, team building, and parenting issues (through Parent-411.com).

I was director of the cultural economic development program, ACT Roxbury, where I founded the Roxbury Film Festival, Roxbury Literary Annual, Roxbury Open Studios and Roxbury Discussion Series.

I've had essays, short stories, children’s stories, and poetry published in several publications. I am an active blogger who writes about relationships, family, current issues, race and sex in witty, entertaining, poignant and powerful entries on my personal blog (blog.candelarisilva.com). I am also a contributing editor to BlogHer.com and to Parent-411.com.

I am an avid volunteer, serving on a number of boards and spreading the joy of reading to young children through my random booking project (myrandombooking.net)

Candelaria submitted a way to: Give back

way to be well created 11.14.10

Giving back makes me feel whole.

Flag
[x] close Please join or sign in to flag.
Share
2 Comments

The notion of being of service to others was inculcated in me from a very early age.

There was a song that I listened to nearly every Sunday morning in the church I attended while growing up that said “May the work I’ve done, speak for me.” I interpreted those words to mean being of service to others and so have volunteered since I was in high school.

Volunteering is a responsibility and privilege to me. I am privileged to have some things to give and to have some things that others want.

My volunteering has taken many forms – including participating in voter registration drives,helping build a playground, providing pro-bono services, and serving on boards of community-based and arts organizations. I even served on the Board of Trustees at my alma mater, Goddard College.

I have also acted as a mentor to teens as well as to former students in job training classes that I've facilitated. This is the most fulfilling volunteering that I do because it is providing one-on-one help. A few weeks ago, a former student called to get my assistance with writing a cover letter. He wanted to make sure it was just right.

I was so happy to be able to help him and to have built the trust over time with him that made him comfortable enough to call me. (And he got the job!)

I thank Harvard Pilgrim for asking me to share my ideas with the well,then community. While I am grateful for the honorarium and flip camera they've given me to do so, I would have done it without the compensation.