[pokulator]

i've been volunteering for a long time now and it has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life. i currently mentor a 13 year old kid who was removed from his home about 5 years ago and has been bouncing around group homes since. his dad died soon after being released from jail two years ago and both of his sisters have been in other group homes around the city.

I got matched up with him because his first group home had a volunteer program that best fit my requirements - a flexible schedule and minimal training time. The staff was so happy to have a male volunteer (they said they get 90% women) and I was quickly matched up with this boy and my girlfriend at the time was matched up with his older sister.

I assume that the pride I have felt watching him grow up is similar to a parent’s although I don’t have delusions that everything in his life is going to be perfect because of my mentoring. I also recognize how much volunteering has done for my life, which I think many people fail to consider before volunteering. Many people think volunteering just helps others, but it does just as much for the person doing the volunteering. It has helped me see things from different perspectives, feel lucky and thankful for the hand I was dealt in life, and made me feel like an overall better person.

Each week I stress a little about trying to find the time to see him, but when the visit is over i always know that it was worth it. For those that still aren’t convinced how great volunteering can be here are two other things to consider for the young male poker players out there:

9:1 ratio at all training and social activities
tax deductions