“Yes, I think you should” and it all made perfect sense…

Last week my 89 year old Grandmother followed me in her car, I was in mine. She had surprised me at the nail shop, noticed that my tire was low and insisted that we stop for air.  We pulled in to the station to see an older gentleman’s truck stop just as he approached.  He had to get out and push because he had not made it fully into the driveway. No one helped. My Grandma said that she had jumper cables and she was going to help him. Before I could say a word she turned to me and said, “Dawn when you have the means to help and someone is in need then I think you should, don’t you?”  I answered “Yes Grandma, I think you should.” In that instant, it all made sense…

Recently I quit my job as a broadcast salesperson for a radio station to become a Development Professional for the Union Rescue Mission.  This journey began over a year and a half ago when I took over as the Account Executive for the URM account.  When I drove away from my very first meeting with them I knew that I had found a cause that I would work tirelessly for.  What I did not know is how it would impact my life.  I returned to the station that day determined to figure out how to best bring the two entities together to make a difference.  I wanted Los Angeles to be aware of what was right in our backyard and how we could help. From that, URM’s show “Amazing Stories from Skidrow” was born. One by one URM guests, supporters and donors came to tell their story.  Through those stories I began to understand 3 things: 1) With the right circumstances (or wrong) any of us could become a person experiencing homelessness 2) While monetary support is crucial, support can come in countless other forms 3) Donors experience as much joy from giving, if not more, than the recipients of the gift. And on a personal note I understood that this is exactly what I was supposed to do. While I still loved many aspects of being a salesperson (client interaction, bringing an idea to fruition, helping good businesses do even better) I had known for a long time that something was missing. As we recorded the shows and I was moved to tears again and again, I realized that this was the answer to bringing passion and purpose back to my career. For months I worked to make that realization a reality.  It happened and my first day is this Monday, 12/9/13. I do not expect this new role to be easy. In fact, securing the position has been by far the most difficult of my career! But as I attempt to explain to those who question why this was so important to me, I realized that there was the answer right there… “Yes, Grandma when there is a way to help, I definitely believe that you should.” 

“Amazing Stories from Skidrow” airs on 99.5 KKLA weekdays at 9:30pm and Saturdays at 5:30pm~