On top of it all, Jeni manages to volunteer weekly at a local food bank. “I love being here,” she smiled. “It gives me purpose.”

From its sky-high shelves stocked with breads, grains and beans, to coolers of milk, cheese and juice, some might say this place, called Midwest Food Bank looks like a mega supermarket.

But the food here is donated. There are no cashiers and checkout aisles. Instead, you’ll find volunteers. Lots of them.

Each week they give their time and talent to help people in need. They sort and distribute donations. They laugh and form friendships.

“I love organizing the shipments of food we receive,” Jeni smiled. “Semi-trucks deliver the items and each box is a mystery. Opening them is like unwrapping a gift!”

While these boxes don’t come in pretty paper or fancy bows, it’s the items inside that make eyes light up and lift spirits.

“This food does more than prevent hunger. It lets people know they’ll be okay,” said Jeni. “It lets them know others care and are there to help.”

Sometimes the boxes contain rice, or grapes, or lettuce. Sometimes they’re filled with medicine or shoes. And once in while…they contain something a little sweeter.

“Once, we received bags of mini-marshmallows…like the kind you find in kids’ cereal,” Jeni explained. “And while we can’t just give mini-marshmallows to those in need, we can combine them with other items – like veggies, fruit, and yogurt for more balanced meals. We’re grateful for what we get.”

Bill Curtis, a longtime Midwest Food Bank volunteer agrees. “It amazes me how many hungry people are out there. When you work here…you know you’re making a difference. We even started a food bank in Kenya to help communities near and far.”

But beyond the food and fellowship found within these walls, Jeni says you’ll find something else too.

HOPE.

Most feel it the moment they walk through the doors.

“You see hope in the faces of children and families who come here for assistance,” Jeni explained. “You see it radiate from our volunteers – in their energy and enthusiasm.”

Jeni herself understands the impact of hope and a helping hand. Six years ago she fell on hard times, in need of both food and shelter for her family.

With the assistance of not-for-profit organizations and charities (many of which receive supplies from Midwest Food Bank), Jeni managed to rebuild her life. She regained independence and started a new chapter for herself and her sons.

“Those were incredibly tough times,” she said softly. “But we didn’t give up. We survived because help was there, and I am so grateful.”

Today, Jeni continues to pay it forward at Midwest Food Bank because she knows, through help and hope…comes healing. “Now that my boys are old enough, I bring them to volunteer and they love it,” she smiled. “It’s our turn to give back.”

And, through the support of businesses like State Farm – Midwest Food Bank will continue to nourish neighbors near and far.

STORY UPDATE: Effective January 2018, Jeni is now the Operations Manager at Midwest Food Bank. She says hope comes in many forms. Sometimes it's a smile. Or a box of mini-marshmallows. Or a new pair of shoes. But no matter the way in which it's received, care and love are the end result. 

"Creating good in this world...is priceless," said Jeni. 

To find volunteer opportunities in your community, visit NeighborhoodofGood.com®.

(This story was first published November 2016)

Davidds is the founder and CEO of the Latina Global Executive Leadership and Entrepreneur Institute (LGELP) at University of Southern California. It is a unique leadership training that addresses the sociocultural realities of today's emerging corporate Latina women leaders and helps them reach their full potential.

Offered by the Latina Leadership Institute (LLI), the LGELP is unlike other leadership development programs. It is taught by faculty scholars and practitioners with real-world insights to experiences professional Latinas face in the workplace

Dr. Davidds inspires women across the globe to take control of their lives, education and their dreams. These accomplishments and her continued work empowering women is why Davidds was honored on the Together stage as LA’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for six nights of storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever at each stop along the Together tour.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Dr. Davidds is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Pantages Theater for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Yasmin is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

Dr. Davidds knew her mother had the strength, she just had not found it. So, Dr. Davidds made it her life’s mission to help other women find their strength.

Dr. Davidds is the founder and CEO of the Latina Global Executive Leadership and Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Southern California (USC). It is a unique leadership development program that addresses the sociocultural realities of today's emerging corporate Latina leaders and helps them reach their full potential.

With an undergraduate business degree from the USC, a master’s degree in women’s studies from San Diego State University, and her doctoral degree from USC, Dr. Davidds inspires women across the globe to take control of their lives, education and dreams.

She believes in empowering women to be leaders. And she has had help along the way too. She is a graduate of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Latina Leadership Institute. The goal of the institute is to train Latinas in leadership and advocacy skills, allowing them to create vital change across California.

“HOPE has had a profound impact on my leadership identity and my life. First, serving on their board of directors for 10 years taught me the true sense of sisterhood,” shared Davidds. “HOPE’s Leadership Institute curriculum elevated my competencies as a community and civic leader and instilled a sense of pride of being Latina.”

HOPE and Dr. Davidds have helped create positive change in California, encouraging young women to graduate high school, go to college, be leaders in their community and promote civic engagement. State Farm has supported HOPE for nearly 20 years.

“The pipeline of Latina leadership in California HOPE has developed is impressive and I am extremely proud to be a product of their hard work and dedication,” Dr. Davidds continued. “The advocacy skills the Institute taught me enabled me to create fundamental change within my community, my business and those I lead.”

Dr. Davidds took a risk, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering others. She is a Dream Achiever.

The word, and acronym, HOPE is a constant reminder of what matters most to Helen Iris Torres. HOPE, is the mentoring program she leads to empower and bring hope to California high school girls.

Since 2004, the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Youth Leadership Program (HYLP) has educated more than 3,000 young women to become leaders while encouraging them to go on to college. Helen is the executive director of HOPE.

Program participants receive financial literacy and civic engagement trainings tailored to their needs in an age-appropriate and culturally sensitive way.

HYLP participants conduct surveys of Latinas in their high schools. They share the findings with state legislators in more than 160 meetings annually. They talk about the challenges high school Latinas face in their communities. Challenges that deter them from attending college.

“One thing I learned from the HYLP was there are various resources to help me and my peers with the college process. Now I don’t have any fears about applying to college.” Says Alyssa Villegas, HYLP participant 2016.

HYLP participants also share survey results at youth town halls and with school board and community leaders in areas like Napa, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Fontana.

The HLYP takes on more than 300 high school-aged Latinas annually. Twenty-four of those Latinas participate in a targeted, six month program (Track 1). The rest (Track 2) convene during HOPE’s two largest conferences, HOPE Latina History Day and Latina Action Day at the state capitol in Sacramento.

“HYLP inspired me to pursue a higher education and become a role model. It opened my mentality to different career paths, such as the media and politics,” shared Evelyn Camacho, HYLP participant 2016. “I’m thankful I was a part of this program because I developed a broader thinking process and it taught me the tools needed to become an advocate in my community.”

More than 360 Latinas have participated in the intensive six-month leadership program. Nearly 90% of those have enrolled in college and 98% have graduated from high school. Participants credit the HYLP for motivating and encouraging them to pursue higher education.

This year the participants met with state elected officials and shared their findings on topics including teen driver safety and the dangers of texting and driving. With the help of State Farm, the young women provided current stats and research on both topics.

Hope can come in many forms.

In Albany, Oregon, hope may show up in your driveway as a twelve-passenger, 2003 Lincoln Towncar driven by a charismatic, passionate and caring local insurance agent.

By day, Mike Speten can be found double-checking his customers’ coverages or helping them recover from the unexpected. However, by night, he is a willing chauffeur of families and individuals facing personal challenges in their lives.

Mike’s drive for helping his community is guided by more than a GPS. It is fueled by a combination of faith, positivity and an unwavering passion to assist.

Blessing others with a night out on the town

In March 2014, Mike and fellow insurance agent, Ron Brockman formed the nonprofit H.O.P.E. Albany. Typically the two are business competitors, but not in this effort. Together, their mission is to find people struggling. They then provide respite from illness, job worries, or a brush with tragedy by gifting folks a night on the town.

Focus on Community.

“A majority of my conversations with members of the community were about the negative things going on in the media. Crime, poverty, problems in schools, and family struggle were all reoccurring headlines in our community news. It weighs heavy on our hearts and minds,” says Speten.

H.O.P.E. Albany’s mission was born from the recognition of those challenges and takes action to help those in the community facing them.

Leads on who might need some H.O.P.E. come from the community. The organization is not only looking to help families with financial barriers, they look for where offering the gift of time together with family and friends can inspire hope. They then utilize the talent, resources, and goodwill of the community to make a special memory happen.

"Families and individuals facing challenges in life sometimes need a short break from it all which is exactly what H.O.P.E. Albany provides…along with a little bit of style and pampering,” says Speten.

The "P” in the organization’s name represents how these special occasions are realized. Partnering with local businesses and individuals is essential to success. H.O.P.E Albany’s partners - local, statewide and divine - are essential in making a request not just a reality but also a treasured memory.

No request has been more memorable than one made by the staff at South Albany High School. They were seeking help for a special student facing dire circumstances. Diagnosed with a brain tumor and given only months to live, the teen’s medical expenses were piling up. Her family could not afford for their daughter to attend her senior prom.

Not only did the organization help her and friends go to prom, but the school, police department and local businesses united to make sure they had a fancy dinner, limousine, and a fun activity to make it a special night for her and a cherished memory for the family.

Thanks are often paid to H.O.P.E. Albany with tears of joy, letters of gratitude, and long lasting friendships.

“After an event, emotions are all over the map. Sometimes, I get a chance to sit with these families for dinner and talk about life. Honestly, I feel I am more blessed spending time with them than they may feel after the event,” says Speten.

The goal is to make a difference in one family’s life when they are facing a tough time. However, it is often the case that theirs are not the only spirits lifted. After hearing about the experiences of those who get the H.O.P.E. treatment, others in the community are inspired.

"Sometimes a family we helped goes out and does something special for someone else that is struggling. At that moment we know we made an impact in this community,” concludes Speten.

Guadalupe Rogel knows the meaning of determination and hard work. As a first generation Mexican American, she prepares to enter her first year of college at Columbia University in New York. With an unwavering determination and a little bit of help, Guadalupe is ready to make her mark.

If you ask Guadalupe, she will tell you ther future could have been very different if it were not for her experience with Esperanza’s Hispanic Youth Leadership Program (HYLP). At 15, she and a friend joined HYLP after attending a meeting as ‘an innocent way to pass the time’.

“Beyond the great academic opportunities they offer, including Saturday Academy and tutoring, HYLP has helped me believe in myself and aspire to dream big despite my humble upbringing,” says Guadalupe. “Today, I find myself faced with many blessings, many of which could not have been possible without Esperanza and its programs. They have nurtured me since I began high school, introduced me to other great community organizations I am now a part of, and impacted my educational and personal aspirations.”

Jesus Sanchez, Director of Programs at Esperanza, was an Esperanza scholarship recipient in 2000. Esperanza was able to help him earn a college degree and a Masters in Biology. Now, he is working and raising his family in the Cleveland area.

Esperanza was a life changing experience for Jesus. “It helped me afford the opportunity to go to college and get a higher education. Just going through the process at Esperanza, because it is targeted at Latinos, helped me be more aware and fit in as an individual as well as into the larger Ethnic group,” he said.

Victor Ruiz, Executive Director of Esperanza is dedicated to the success of Hispanic youth in their educational pursuits. “I’m passionate about education and how education is a way out of poverty for people. This organization focuses on education and ensuring that inner city students have access to a quality education,” says Ruiz.

Guadalupe received several acceptance letters from Ivy League institutions, but ultimately decided to pursue a degree at Columbia. As the first to attend college and the oldest of four siblings, her family has inspired her to reach her education goals.

“My parents immigrated to the United States when they were very young, and consequently, didn’t finish high school,” she begins, “They came here with the desire to work and provide us with the opportunity to achieve the American Dream unattainable to them. I am committed to take full advantage of the opportunity they, like many other Hispanic families, sacrificed for.”

After college, Guadalupe plans to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector; an inspiration from Esperanza. Guadalupe understands the lack of encouragement and incentives given to low income first generation students to follow their dreams. She hopes to use her experience and education to positively impact students’ futures in underserved communities the way Esperanza has done for so many students.