Developing a Heart of Service at a Young Age

Mary Avigliano knew when she grew up, she wanted to help others. As a child, Mary developed relationships with volunteers of local urban ministry organizations who left a life-long impact on her and her family.

“If it weren’t for a group of people who were passionate about urban ministry knocking on my family’s door when I was a kid, I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

~Mary Avigliano

In 2008, when Mary was a recent college graduate with a little extra free time, she became one of Every Neighborhood Partnership’s first volunteers.

Side-by-side with the members of her church’s young adult small group, Mary faithfully volunteered with Every Neighborhood Partnership’s first Saturday Sports program at Susan B. Anthony elementary school. As Mary showed up every week she became a positive, caring, role model in the lives of many kids (and was crowned the reigning Four Square queen.)

“Being able to invest in those living in certain areas of Fresno, who may not have the same opportunities as those living in different areas of the city,” says Mary, “Being able to come alongside them, recognize their challenges, ask ‘how can I help?’ and be their friend first and foremost, that is something I feel personally [passionate about].”

---

Serving as a Mom and Business Owner

Today, Mary is an entrepreneur, realtor with Iron Key Real Estate, wife, and mom to two beautiful girls. Her passion for serving her city is stronger than ever, but her investment looks different than it did 15 years ago.

Mary’s business plays a vital role in providing financial support for the nonprofits she loves so they can continue carrying out their work. On social media, Mary highlights the work of these non-profits and draws attention to these important causes. Hear more about Mary’s story in the video interview below!

---

I want to make a difference in Fresno… How do I get started?

“Ask yourself, what do I value? What improvement do I want to see in our community?” says Mary. “Find out what nonprofits are doing that work and then… just start giving.” Here are a few ways you can give your time, talents, or treasures through Every Neighborhood Partnership in 2023.

Serve your local school 

• Volunteer with Saturday Sports.
  • Two hours of fun on a Saturday morning! Be a positive mentor in the lives of kids while playing sports, engaging in fun activities, and eating lunch.
• Serve as a Literacy Mentor.
  • Work in a classroom as a literacy mentor helping students improve their reading level- one of the greatest determinants of a child’s future success. 
• Bless teachers with breakfast or a BBQ!
  • Gather your church, colleagues, or friends to bless your local school staff! Contact us for ideas.

Serve your neighborhood

Neighborhood Development works to address the physical, health and social disparities that exist in our neighborhoods by developing place-based initiatives that create systemic change. Learn more HERE.

Share important stories on social media

Sharing ENP’s stories on social media spreads awareness about important topics like allocating city resources to forgotten neighborhoods, how to improve literacy rates in Fresno schools, and more. You can reach people we’re not currently connected with! Joining our email newsletter, following ENP on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, and sharing our posts can lead to greater impact in our city.

Give financially

Can’t serve as a volunteer but want to support the work Every Neighborhood Partnership is doing in our city? Financial support is vital to our organization! You can make a donation of any amount HERE.

Engage in the unifying work of political and racial healing in Fresno

• Participate in “One-Small Step.”
  • StoryCorps’ “One Small Step” partners strangers with different beliefs to have a 50-minute conversation about their lives, not politics. The growing divisions in our country pose a threat to democracy. Sign up to be part of the solution HERE.
• Join a LivingUNDIVIDED cohort.
  • Are you interested in learning about and engaging in the work of racial healing & justice in our city?  LivingUNDIVIDED is a six-week cohort experience where you will engage in faith grounding, teaching, small group conversations, activities, and assignments in pursuit of racial solidarity & justice. To be part of the LivingUNDIVIDED cohort beginning on February 27th, you will need to register by January 29th! Click HERE to register today.

You don’t have to wait for a new day or a different life stage to serve your community. As Mary’s story demonstrates, you can resolve to live a life of service even if the medium through which you give changes! What will you invest in 2023?

---