Empathy
Empathy is important to me because it helps me truly understand and connect with people on a deeper level. I believe that by putting myself in someone else’s shoes, I can better support and uplift them in meaningful ways. Volunteering and philanthropy have shown me firsthand how impactful empathy can be. Whether I’m working with children at John Mack Elementary or organizing initiatives like the Canned Food Drive or the rafiki project, I’ve learned that people respond best when they feel seen, heard, and valued.
These experiences have taught me how essential it is to approach every interaction with kindness and compassion. Volunteering allows me to use empathy not just as a feeling but as an action—being there for others, understanding their needs, and working to help in any way I can. Through philanthropy, I’ve seen how empathy can fuel positive change, and I make it a priority to bring that same level of care and understanding into every relationship and opportunity, knowing it can make all the difference.
USC Undergraduate Student Government
Associate Director of Philanthropy Funds
- Approve and deny student RSO’s funding requests
- I’ve learned valuable skills in financial management, organization, and communication
- Gained experience in budgeting, analyzing funding requests, and making decisions on resource allocation
- Developed teamwork skills by working with our CFO and other members of student government.
Joint Educational Project:
Every week, I volunteer at John Mack Elementary School in Los Angeles, a school that faces challenges due to limited resources. My role allows me to support students who may not have access to the educational tools they need, and provide assistance to their teachers. Volunteering at John Mack Elementary has become one of the highlights of my week. The kids are so full of joy, and every time they run up to me with huge smiles and give me a hug, it makes everything worth it. Knowing I’ve been able to help them, even in small ways, really makes my day. It’s incredible to see how much they appreciate the time we spend together, and it reminds me that sometimes just being there for someone can have a big impact. Their excitement and happiness always lift my spirits, and I leave feeling like I’ve made a difference in their lives.
Volunteering and Leadership:
- Canned Food Drive Distribution Day:
- I led my school’s Canned Food Drive, successfully raising nearly 300 pounds of food for families in East Palo Alto. As the leader of Distribution Day, I was responsible for organizing and coordinating the entire event, from managing volunteers to ensuring everything ran smoothly. I also personally contacted families, using my Spanish skills to communicate with them and make sure they received the food they needed.
- Rafiki Drive:
- I took the initiative to support the Kenyan artists’ community by organizing the sale of their handmade rafikis. I collaborated with my team to develop marketing strategies, even in the midst of the pandemic, and we successfully sold 500 rafikis on our high school campus. All the proceeds were donated back to the artists. This project was driven by my commitment to building meaningful relationships and promoting the culture and lifestyle of the artists we supported.
LILA MOTAMEDI 