Volunteer Stacia Dionne gives back to get back

Stacia Dionne, senior business process consultant at Ally Financial, licensed massage therapist and fitness coach at MADbolic, practices mental and physical well-being through leading two volunteer projects with Hands On Charlotte.

 

Five years ago, Stacia Dionne had a revelation. A thought that caused her to stop, take a look back and evaluate her priorities. A phrase she grew up hearing from her father crept back into her mind- “Mind, body, soul — no finish line.” Had focusing on the finish line caused her to lose track of nurturing her whole self?

 

Like so many working professionals, Stacia’s career had taken the front seat of her life. Long hours in the office led to less time to focus on her mental and physical well-being. Luckily for her, as she explored ways to refresh her mind, body and soul, her employer, Ally Financial, supported her every step of the way.

 

Ally encourages staff to volunteer in the community by providing eight hours of paid volunteer time a year. Departments also take part in organizing group volunteer projects that support local nonprofits such as Dress for Success and Classroom Central.

 

“Finally slowing down and taking a step back, helped me reflect on all the gifts I had been given throughout my life — a good job, a great husband, an active lifestyle, and I wanted a way to share my gifts with others,” said Stacia. “Hands On Charlotte made it easy to try new projects and plug in as a leader for volunteer sites that needed help.”

 

Stacia now leads two projects with Hands On Charlotte: Special Rollers and Basic Literacy and Math for Adults. Volunteering has become an integral part of her life and her husband often joins her to provide hugs and high-fives to the participants at Special Rollers, a bowling league for people with disabilities.

 

“Each project is incredibly rewarding in two very different ways,” Stacia recounts. “Special Rollers is a high energy environment and players are so excited to be there having fun with you. It’s a contagious feeling. But mentoring adults pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’m so grateful for that feeling, because it has helped me guide new volunteers who may feel intimated by the thought of tutoring.”

 

Stacia and her husband also take part in special events such as MLK Call to Service and Hands On Charlotte Day, where Stacia led the Park Road Park clean up this year. Whether she is leading the project or just volunteering, she enjoys seeing the community — fathers and daughters, little league baseball teams, corporate groups and more — coming out to experience a taste of giving back.

 

This article was published in April’s edition of the Charlotte Business Journal which showcases companies throughout the Charlotte region making true impact by engaging employees in corporate volunteerism.

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