Sameen Mahmood is currently a student at Capistrano Valley High School. As a full IB (International Baccalaureate) student and former Key Club president, Sameen has volunteered extensively in numerous areas throughout her high school career and has a strong passion for helping her community as well as the disadvantaged. She will graduate in 2018 and plans to continue volunteering while pursuing a degree in the sciences.
Sameen volunteers because...
Helping those in need has always been important to me. I’ve witnessed youth struggle within the bipolar and LGBTQIA communities first hand through family, friends, and the community. They are not given the resources, the opportunities, and the hope they need to continue. Obstacles disadvantaged youth face on a daily basis are something people rarely consider. Every child, teen, or adult deserves to feel like they belong regardless of their background or circumstances.
I believe that if my life has only one purpose: to help whomever I can however I can. I want to play a role in making this world a safer and more accepting place for anyone and everyone by using my experiences and voice as a way to end stigma against both those who identify as LGBTQIA and have been diagnosed with a mental illness. By volunteering with Hope Xchange, I intend on providing as much support to suppressed youth as I can while also advocating for their wellness.