I volunteered for 1 1/2 years at Jubilee Women’s Center, an organization that provided transitional housing and other services for women in poverty. It was an experience that worked out better than I would have expected. I needed service hours for my school, and I was interested in helping in JWC’s computer lab. The building was only a few blocks from my school, I was interested in computers, and it seemed like an organization worth supporting. Due to communication and organizational problems, I never ended up working at the computer lab, yet it ended up being a great experience – probably an even better experience than if I had worked exclusively at the lab. I spent a lot of time helping in their boutique, where women can get free clothing. There was consistently plenty of work to do – more than I could get done in my 2-hour shift. I had been reluctant to work in the boutique because I have no interest in or experience with clothing, yet it ended up working out well - fashion experience wasn’t needed, and I felt like I was really making a contribution. Although that was my default position, I also bounced around plenty, becoming an all-around assistant who could do whatever was needed. Again, this made me feel that I truly was addressing the organization’s needs – I wasn’t just creating a service opportunity where it hadn’t really existed. My service ended when the organization moved. They had *immense* need of volunteer help during the move, and as it happened, the move coincided exactly with the time period when I had finished school and hadn’t started working, so I was able to put in lengthy hours.