Bobbie Bornstein in a conversation with Shayam Maisuria
Our volunteers are so important to us at WVCS! For our March 2023 blog post we are highlighting Shayam Maisuria who started volunteering at WVCS in June 2022 and has fast become a dedicated volunteer at our front desk. Read on for our conversation with him:
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I was born in England, but I've spent most of my life growing up in the Bay Area. As a child and teenager, I gained a fascination for the biomedical sciences, which inspired me to major in biology in college. I also loved working alongside people and helping them, which is what inspired some of my professional endeavors as an Emergency Medical Technician and a nursing assistant. Right now, I work as a Hospice/Memory Care CNA, and am currently applying to medical school to become a physician.
How did you find us and why did you choose to volunteer here at WVCS?
I started in June of 2022, and currently volunteer three times a week. When the pandemic happened, I noticed small businesses in the area had closed down, and many people had lost their jobs/insurance. As someone who wants to be a physician, I knew that it was a social injustice that I couldn't do much about, but I wanted to help at least a little bit after completing university. Thus, I looked for opportunities to work directly with the underserved in Cupertino, which is how I found WVCS!
What have you learned about yourself volunteering here at WVCS?
I always knew that I loved working alongside people and growing with them, and that's something I've enjoyed a lot at WVCS. I had the opportunity to meet so many volunteers from diverse backgrounds, all while doing my best to help improve the lives of those in my community.
Any special moments you would like to share about your volunteering experience at WVCS?
The most memorable moment I had was actually on my first day, when I got to meet all the volunteers at WVCS. The community is so diverse in terms of age, culture, and experiences, and each of them brings something unique to WVCS. I always love to enrich my understanding of the world through the eyes of others, and I've been able to do that here. I really enjoy being able to make a difference! I hope to continue doing so for as long as I can, and would like to thank all of you for accepting me into this small, yet meaningful community.