This post is part of our peer counselor Q&A series, which shares perspectives of our dedicated and talented volunteers about why they joined Empower Work. Jose is an Empower Work peer counselor, cybersecurity professional, learning facilitator-in-chief, and inclusive culture builder in what he names one of the world's best companies. An immigrant from South America, he credits his parents’ sacrifices for helping him come to the United States, join the US Navy, and become the first in his family to graduate from college. Most importantly, he has been blessed to be the proud father of two lovely, strong, smart women and a husband to a beautiful, supportive spouse of 20+ years, and family and faith are at the core of what he holds dear. 

When Verizon made the amazing commitment to 2.5million volunteer hours by 2025, and launched a platform to connect employees with volunteer opportunities including Empower Work, Jose was one of the first to join. He moved through our intensive training program and started helping people in need in May 2020. He shares some of his thoughts about volunteering.

What were you hoping to get out of the Empower Work experience when you started?

Initially, I just wanted to help! I have personally experienced difficult situations with discrimination in my employment. So, I'm trying to do my best to help others who might also experience similar issues. I am blessed that I had support from my family and my leadership at work, and I always wondered how I could help others who might not benefit from that same support system. It does feel vitally important to assist others going through similar situations. 

What's the most unexpected thing you have gotten from the Empower Work experience?

I never realized how impactful, or challenging managers can make someone's employment experience. Unfortunately, if you have a difficult time at work, you will more than likely also bring it home with you. Maybe the military gave me tough skin to put up with bad managers, but still, my heart breaks every time I help those in need because their managers make their employment life miserable. I personally wish every manager would go through peer counselor training to learn how they directly affect someone's well-being at work and at home. The Golden Rule should be vigorously applied when you are a manager–treat others how you would also want to be treated. This includes having a greater understanding of our unconscious biases.

What do you think everyone should know about Empower Work?

The individuals we help are your school teachers, delivery drivers, friendly cashiers, and, most importantly, all our valuable community members. We might not know them all by name, but our families rely on them daily and the services they provide. Overall the demographic we help with this free service skews towards those who might be the most vulnerable, so when individuals from our community ask for help, they have come to a situation where they don't know how to accept it, or how to change it.

What brings you back to volunteering each week?

This is an excellent question since, usually, I’m incredibly nervous before every volunteer shift. The reason why is because I don’t want to let the person asking for help down.

The human tendency is one of wanting to avoid situations that put you outside of our comfort zone, so volunteering as a peer counselor has had an opposite effect. Weekly I have to put myself outside of my comfort zone, so I can listen better, not assume, or judge, but instead be supportive. It’s not easy asking for help, so I want to make sure we genuinely care, acknowledge, and assist. That’s why I feel that I must come back each week and volunteer to help where possible.