Hello, my name is Diana Gamez, and I am a senior at Arizona State University. I grew up in Ahwatukee in South Phoenix, where some of my earliest experiences with service came from attending charity events and volunteering at a retirement community in South Chandler. These experiences showed me the joy of giving back and inspired me to build a career centered around supporting others and strengthening communities.
I chose to study Urban Planning because I believe our communities and built environments should serve everyone. During my junior year at ASU, I enrolled in a nonprofit leadership course, and it changed the way I saw my future. I discovered that the work I had always been drawn to helping people, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for others could become part of my career. Since then, I have continued pursuing that interest and am currently on track to complete my nonprofit certificate and become a Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.
This semester, I was given the opportunity to choose a nonprofit that I personally connected with. For me, the choice became clear when I thought about my own experience in Tempe. I moved to Tempe about a year ago, and in that short time, the city has become a place I genuinely feel connected to. It has given me a new community, new opportunities, and a place that I am proud to call home.
That is why I chose the Tempe Community Action Agency. Through TCAA, I have the opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me. What I appreciate most about TCAA is that its work is centered on meeting people where they are and helping individuals and families build a stronger future. That mission reflects the kind of work I hope to dedicate my career to. I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to work and manage a community pantry, have met other amazing volunteers, and got to connect with the same people we serve.
By offering high-quality and fresh food, we are able to meet many basic needs. Over the course of 5 weeks, I’ve learned so much and look forward to helping more. Thank you, TCAA, for this opportunity!
