Many of us are searching for purpose and meaning in our lives, and on March 5 at an International Women’s Day event in Guelph, the audience of 115 women and a few brave men heard from Jill Valentine who truly epitomizes the theme for 2025 of Accelerate Action.
Jill is co-founder of UGO Impact, through which she leads groups to volunteer and enhance lives through service and travel abroad. Her key initiatives—like the Seeds of Change in Tanzania and the Give and Grow Community—aim to foster self-discovery and a deeper appreciation for humanity, encouraging a more just and caring world. She has also led groups and summited Mount Kilimanjaro four times.
Jill shared “we all have gifts to give the world”. She’s found that she personally is happiest when she is in community and is able to make a difference. “When you are volunteering abroad, you are already out of your comfort zone and when you work with vulnerable populations, you realize how fortunate you are and have much to give and contribute.” observes Jill. “The experience provides an opportunity for reflection where you discover what gifts you have to offer and learn much from the local community, many of whom are happy and optimistic despite the challenges they face.” she adds.
Encouraging the audience to accelerate action in their lives, Jill shared three steps that she believes can take you there.
1. Clarity When you volunteer and give back, you discover more about yourself. It is a time of reflection.
2. Confidence You gain confidence when knowing something is possible vs. knowing you can do it. That renewed confidence can trigger and propel you to do more, as you learn to celebrate who you are.
3. Community Through the Dare Women’s Foundation, Jill took a group of women to Tanzania to help build homes for women impacted by domestic violence. They first had to build a fence to protect the land and have since made three more trips to build and landscape the land.
In closing, Jill commented that being of service is not always about money. What’s your currency? she asked.
Food for thought indeed. Have you found your purpose?
Finding your purpose
Many of us are searching for purpose and meaning in our lives, and on March 5 at an International Women’s Day event in Guelph, the audience of 115 women and a few brave men heard from Jill Valentine who truly epitomizes the theme for 2025 of Accelerate Action.
Jill is co-founder of UGO Impact, through which she leads groups to volunteer and enhance lives through service and travel abroad. Her key initiatives—like the Seeds of Change in Tanzania and the Give and Grow Community—aim to foster self-discovery and a deeper appreciation for humanity, encouraging a more just and caring world. She has also led groups and summited Mount Kilimanjaro four times.
Jill shared “we all have gifts to give the world”. She’s found that she personally is happiest when she is in community and is able to make a difference. “When you are volunteering abroad, you are already out of your comfort zone and when you work with vulnerable populations, you realize how fortunate you are and have much to give and contribute.” observes Jill. “The experience provides an opportunity for reflection where you discover what gifts you have to offer and learn much from the local community, many of whom are happy and optimistic despite the challenges they face.” she adds.
Encouraging the audience to accelerate action in their lives, Jill shared three steps that she believes can take you there.
1. Clarity
When you volunteer and give back, you discover more about yourself. It is a time of reflection.
2. Confidence
You gain confidence when knowing something is possible vs. knowing you can do it. That renewed confidence can trigger and propel you to do more, as you learn to celebrate who you are.
3. Community
Through the Dare Women’s Foundation, Jill took a group of women to Tanzania to help build homes for women impacted by domestic violence. They first had to build a fence to protect the land and have since made three more trips to build and landscape the land.
In closing, Jill commented that being of service is not always about money. What’s your currency? she asked.
Food for thought indeed. Have you found your purpose?