Other Stories and Quotes
Kim Cameron Dominguez
Originally from Washington, DC. Kim came to the west coast in order to attend graduate school at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she received degrees in cultural Anthropology. Kim moved to Oregon at the beginning of 2010. Outside of work and volunteering she loves cooking, salsa music and salsa dancing. Kim says, “ I fancy myself a painter, though I haven’t produced any serious work since the beginning of graduate school”.Soon after moving to Oregon, Kim answered the Black United Fund’s call for Grant Advisory Committee members and offered her time to the staff for other volunteer activities. “I see my involvement with the Black United Fund as a way of supporting and servicing the community, my new hometown!” Kim explains.
Kim participates in the Scholarship Writing workshops for Oregon high school students, helping students write and improve their college entry and scholarship essays. When asked what she likes best about this activity, she says “The opportunity to work with students individually. My approach is to show students exactly what they have done well, and to provide strategies and suggestions for those areas where improvement is needed. I believe students benefit from this one-on-one engagement because it allows them to receive support that is tailored to their specific needs.”
Kim’s second volunteer role with us is as a member of the Grants Advisory Committee, which she describes as a perfect fit because of her previous experience and interest. She had a long professional career with several grant making organizations on the east coast. Also, as part of her academic training, she has taken grant writing courses, written several successful grants on her own, and sat for several years on the graduate student departmental review committee.
Kim is excited about both roles and feels that these opportunities allow her to contribute in a small, but substantial way to the work that the Black United Fund does throughout the year. When asked what advice she would give others considering getting involved, she replied, “My first word of advice would be to contact the Black United Fund right away. The staff is wonderful. They are committed, welcoming of volunteers, and they will put you to work!