Community Conversations
Shilpa Kulkarni
My path to community service was carved early in life, watching my maternal grandfather work alongside Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on social reform in India. As a lawyer fighting against the unjust Khoti system, he taught me that eloquence and action could mobilize communities for meaningful change. When I moved to the United States, this inherited passion for community work naturally led me to the Discovery Museums, where I began volunteering with children to nurture their curiosity in STEAM fields. What started as working with diverse populations, including children with special needs, evolved into something transformative—I became instrumental in developing the “Especially for Me” program, now the museum’s second largest initiative serving over 2,000 families with special needs across Massachusetts. The moment that crystallized my purpose came on my last day as Director of Community partnerships, when a young colleague approached me saying, “I am influenced by your passion, dedication and empathetic approach while working for special needs families and I want to do the same.”
Over the past decade, volunteering has been my greatest teacher in leadership and community engagement. Through my leadership roles—serving as President of NEMM (New England Marathi Mandal) and Executive Committee Member for BMM (Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal of North America)—I’ve learned to navigate complex challenges, from coordinating 111 online shows during the pandemic to supporting domestic violence cases in collaboration with the General Consulate of India and Saheli, a Boston-based organization empowering South Asian women. My extensive community volunteering experience opened doors to working with Neighbors in Need through my Master’s fellowship program, where I managed volunteer databases of 900 people delivering food to families in need. I also served as Senior Program Director at Cambridge Camping, working with trauma-sensitive youth. Each challenge taught me resilience and innovation, like when I initiated new financial models to benefit member organizations or created inclusive programs like NEMM Kids for Kids, where children fundraise for nonprofits of their choosing. These experiences sharpened my ability to work with diverse identities within communities and reinforced my belief that small acts can create profound impacts.
Volunteering has fundamentally shaped who I am today, made me more empathetic, strengthened the values inherited from my family, and carved my career path as a community engagement expert in the nonprofit sector. The recognition I’ve received, from serving on National Endowment for the Arts grant review panels to being named Volunteer of the Year for three consecutive years, validates not just my work but the transformative power of community service. To anyone hesitant about volunteering, I would say that it’s not just about giving back, it’s about discovering your capacity to create change, finding joy in unexpected moments, and building connections that enrich your understanding of the world. My vision for the future continues to be rooted in this foundation: promoting inclusive communities, empowering youth and women, and ensuring that every person, regardless of their background or needs, has access to resources and opportunities to thrive.
Vrunda Dhole
Hello!
When I moved from India to the UK for the first time, I realized the need for a community to survive in a foreign land. During this time, the uncles and aunties that I met went out of their way to make me settled. They made delicious food or opened their house to make me feel at home. When I asked them how I can return their favors. One Aunty told me, “You pass it forward,” meaning you do it for someone who may be in a similar situation like yours.
Knowingly or unknowingly, I started building a community around me, and I became a community support. Even though I wasn’t a big contributor, I definitely did groundwork to build my community.
During these early days when I probably couldn’t feed myself and my husband a decent meal, I started volunteering for “International students’ lunch at a community center”. There were students from 15/16 different countries, about 60/80 students. From very early days, I understood volunteering was a two-way street. I provided help, and in return, I got to learn about different cultures and traditions as well as the reasons people migrate. Another thing: no cause is small because, for example, an individual who may need help to cross a street to get help is huge for that individual.
Volunteering gives a strong sense of belonging; it develops a strong community bond. Even though I started volunteering as a need to develop my community abroad, helping anyone in need was a passion which I had discovered at a very young age. Maybe sharing my lunch box with a stranger, giving a ride to someone in need, or volunteering at an old people’s home were some of my small attempts at that age. After having a family, that need for community grew even more, to raise young kids abroad and trying to raise them in a mixed culture and developing a sense of belonging. One volunteering rule that I made for myself till I commit it will be volunteering, after committing it will be my responsibility to complete the task.
After moving to Massachusetts from the UK, I got involved in the Marathi community and Indian language schools. Here the community became stronger. Very recently someone introduced me to her daughter. I was someone who had stitched a costume for one of the stage shows for her. As my experience grew, I felt more at home, and the urge for volunteering grew bigger. I got involved in organizing an international cultural event. On a long-term basis, I have been a part of Leherein since a very early age. Once you get the taste of volunteering, you can’t stop. Even though I got engaged in volunteering out of my personal needs, now I feel responsible as I feel I need to give back to my community. Through the years, that community has expanded from India, the UK, to the US.
Surbhi
I have been volunteering for over 15 years in Shishubharati and another organization called MMNA and also at Satsang Center.
I started my volunteering journey with Shishubharati around 2009, and it really brought something out which helped me to even do some more volunteering with another organization. I started because my kids were little, and
Shishubharati needed some teachers. What I realized while teaching kids was, I was laying the groundwork for a better tomorrow – not only for the kids but the entire community. It brought closeness and reduced the isolation that Indian immigrants, both kids and adults, feel in the US. Seeing me volunteer in Shishubharati a few of my friends reached out and are now also volunteering in SB. The bonding of the all the volunteers in Shishubharati is a privilege which we should all recognize. Another thing I realized with by me volunteering my kids (and other kids) also do it on a regular basis both in Shishubharati and outside. This is a big impact as now we have our future generations recognizing the value of volunteering. It makes me so happy to see that the kids understand and feel this is a big win for all of us and our community.
I strongly believe that volunteering is something that everyone should strive for, but also at the same time it is not for everyone. There are certain challenges that come with volunteering, the first and foremost is capacity – know your capacity and how much can you do. Along with-it time management balancing your work with your volunteering time, but more importantly volunteering it with your family time. This takes planning and honest commitment from oneself. Support of family and close ones is needed in order to be able to do this.
I also have the honor of serving in a leadership position in another volunteering non-profit.
The organization was founded in 1983 in NY with the intent to preserve the culture and heritage and make a difference in the local communities across US.
There are certain challenges that come with the leadership. Knowing your team, building it up, understanding the motivation of volunteers and ensuring they always have the motivation. You are working with different set of people in different states with their own local organization under the same association each having their own unique issues. Working through that is a challenge but at the same time it is quite fulfilling as the work ensures that the community stays strong and resilient.
One thing I would like to say to folks who are hesitant about volunteering. If you believe you feel you can help someone and if you can commit to the time and effort, it would take you should give it a try. You can start small, try different opportunities, try to get involved with your friends, and see how you like it. There is not much to lose by volunteering; the experience will always be rewarding, and in more than one way. Never say Never till you try.
