Volunteer to Treasurer: Mary Kwan Smith Reflects on a Her Impact with Helping Link

 

As the treasurer on the Board of Directors for Helping Link, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my Helping Link journey with you and provide a few updates.

Let’s go back to 2010, where my journey began.

Early in my career, I took a chance and responded to an advertisement about a volunteer opportunity at Helping Link posted on the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants website. As a new accountant, I was looking to build my resume. In the back of my mind, I also wanted to help an organization that resonated with me. Helping Link checked both those boxes: It served an underserved immigrant population and it looked good on my resume. At the time, I don’t think I knew what impact my time would have on a small nonprofit.

Over time, I have come to realize that Helping Link simply would not be what it is today without the commitment of its volunteers. Giving back can be truly rewarding, especially when the outcomes are tangible. The direct services Helping Link provides make a positive difference in the trajectory of people’s lives.  

Fast forward to today, our organization survived COVID-19 through the hard work and perseverance of our Executive Director Minh-Duc and many volunteers. Unfortunately, Helping Link’s former location in Little Saigon did not. As you can imagine, our organization will need to continue to evolve to best serve the needs of Vietnamese immigrants and the greater community.

Rest assured, Helping Link is going strong. It is an exciting time for us as we are opening a new home in Renton. We are reinvigorated and excited to continue to work to serve our clients, but we cannot do this with you, our supporters.  

Helping Link needs volunteers and the support of local leaders more than ever. Will you join me in being part of Helping Link’s future in a way that makes sense for you?

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at msmith@helpinglink.org if you are interested in volunteering or joining the board.

Mary Kwan Smith

Helping Link Board Member–Treasurer