When I first signed up to volunteer at the Italian American Museum of San Francisco, I didn't fully grasp what I was getting into. I just knew that I wanted to help preserve a piece of history that seemed to be fading away. Little did I know how much this experience would change me over the next six weeks.

On my first day, I walked into the museum feeling a bit out of place. The building was filled with artifacts, photographs, and stories that I knew so little about. Maria, one of the museum curators, greeted me with a warm smile and gave me a tour. As she talked about the exhibits, her passion was contagious. I found myself getting excited about the stories of Italian immigrants who helped shape San Francisco.

I noticed early on that the museum didn't get as many visitors as it deserved. That's when the idea hit me: why not use social media to spread the word? I'm no expert, but I figured it was worth a shot. I teamed up with a couple of other volunteers, and we started creating posts highlighting different exhibits and sharing interesting facts. At first, it felt like we were shouting into the void—hardly anyone was engaging with our posts. But we kept at it, trying different approaches, and slowly but surely, we started to see more likes, comments, and shares. It was a small victory, but it felt huge to us.

One of the biggest challenges was organizing a community outreach event. Honestly, I was nervous about it. Planning events isn't exactly my forte, and we had a tight deadline. There were so many details to consider: finding performers, setting up activities, promoting the event—you name it. There were moments when I thought we wouldn't pull it off. But with a lot of teamwork and late nights (and maybe a few too many cups of coffee), we made it happen. Seeing families and community members enjoying the event, learning about the museum, and connecting with each other was incredibly rewarding. It made all the stress and hard work worth it.

Working on making the museum more accessible was another significant part of my experience. We decided to transcribe 200 artworks for visually impaired visitors. I'll be honest—it was tedious at times. Sitting there, trying to describe artworks in a way that would be meaningful to someone who couldn't see them was challenging. But then I met Lisa, a visually impaired visitor who came to the museum. When I guided her through the exhibits using the transcriptions, her appreciation and excitement were palpable. Moments like that reminded me why we were doing this.

Not everything was smooth sailing, though. There were days when I felt overwhelmed trying to juggle the project with other responsibilities. I realized that I'm not great at asking for help, and I tend to take on too much by myself. This experience taught me the importance of leaning on others and that it's okay to admit when you need a hand.

The people I met along the way made a huge impact on me. From the dedicated museum staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to the other volunteers who brought their own unique talents and perspectives—it was inspiring to be surrounded by such passion and commitment. I remember chatting with Tony, an older gentleman who volunteered on weekends. He shared stories about his family's journey from Italy and how much it meant to him that we were keeping those stories alive.

Being part of the Scholars’ Network was also a big support. Knowing that there were others out there working on their own projects, facing similar challenges, and rooting for each other was comforting. We shared advice, vented about setbacks, and celebrated wins together.

Reflecting on these past six weeks, I've learned a lot about leadership and myself. I used to think that leading meant taking charge and having all the answers. But I've come to realize that it's more about listening, collaborating, and empowering others. It's about being open to new ideas and being willing to adapt when things don't go as planned.

I've also gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It's easy to overlook the past in our fast-paced world, but these stories and traditions are what shape our communities. Knowing that I played a small part in keeping the Italian-American heritage alive in San Francisco is something I'm proud of.

As I move forward, I want to continue being involved in projects that make a difference. This experience has shown me that even small actions can have a big impact. It has also taught me to step out of my comfort zone and take on challenges that might seem daunting at first.

In the end, volunteering at the museum wasn't just about helping others—it was also about personal growth. I've made connections, learned new skills, and gained confidence in my ability to lead and collaborate. I'm grateful for the journey and excited to see where these lessons will take me next.