29 Jul Volunteer in Profile: Ailin Li

Starting from a few volunteer projects through the Youth Volunteer Corps since last summer, Ailin Li has grown her involvement with Youth Central significantly over the last year. From blogging about fashion and beauty on Youth Are Awesome (YAA), to helping youth gain recognition through the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA), Ailin has demonstrated not only to herself, but also to her greater community, the difference she can really make.
 
“A lot of people think volunteering is gross, but I actually really look forward to volunteering,” she says.
 
“It makes me feel amazing when I go on to one of my blogs [on Youth Are Awesome] and it’s gotten 600 views.”
 
It’s not just about learning something new through each of her experiences – even though she does – it’s about making a tangible impact. She feels the impact especially through YODA. This year, the committee made the finalist and recipient selections from 275 nominations, a new record for the program.
 
Ultimately, Ailin says her experience with Youth Central has given her the life experience necessary for adapting to environments with diverging perspectives: something she believes builds a stronger foundation for her character.