Celebrating 10 Years of YELLS: A Look Back from Graduate, Bridget Reyes

Celebrating 10 Years of YELLS: A Look Back

My name is Bridget Reyes, and I’m a proud YELLS alumna and Board Member!  My reflection here is one in a series of  reflections leading up to YELLS’s Tenth Anniversary Networking Dinner. This amazing organization and the people who make it so incredibly special have pushed me to become a better version of myself, and I hope you’ll join us on October 18 to offer this opportunity to others like me.

 

Back in 2011, during our YELLS Retreat in a little apartment complex on Franklin Road, we woke early and circled the Community Garden for a morning reflection.  After, we started to work on the garden together – what we thought was an unsuccessful harvest, was actually A WHOLE LOT OF SWEET POTATOES!  I couldn’t believe it!  We could help provide nutritious food to those in need, while also learning the importance of healthy eating and bringing our community together.  It was such a humbling moment to reflect on the hard work put into the garden. It was hard work from people of the City of Marietta’s Parks and Recreation department, helpers from The Atlanta Community Food Bank, YELLS volunteers and members, my amazing team – but also me.

I realized how much good was put into the garden and how much I had grown in less than a year. When I joined YELLS, I knew I had what it took to be a leader, but I always compared myself to others.  YELLS pushed me to work in a group and appreciate everyone’s strengths and learn to grow each other. We had so many opportunities to practice leadership by leading special “CEO Days,” presenting to the community, networking with leaders, and constant activities that all led to us completing our service projects.

YELLS gave me the push I needed to be a better version of myself –  a version that has been impacted by all those who donated to YELLS financially and also with their time. Little did I know the passion I developed while in YELLS instilled self-motivation that has led me during college and in my professional life. I graduated high school with over $22,000 in scholarships, I studied abroad to two different countries in college, and I graduated debt free.

Six years after high school, I currently serve on the YELLS Board.  I have approved agendas, shared my opinions on programs and projects, and reviewed financials – a whole different world that I didn’t know existed when I was a student.  And though I serve in a different capacity now, I can honestly say I am still growing and learning because of my YELLS Family.  I’m glad to have been a part of the YELLS Journey, but also excited for what is to come.