From Passion to Project: Our Year in Path to Purpose

1. Introduction

Path to Purpose: Community-Based Projects (Path to Purpose) is a hands-on service-learning program run by the University of Florida’s Brown Center for Leadership & Service (BCLS) that helps students grow while making a real difference in their communities.

I’m Ariana Enriquez, a second-year student at UF and a proud participant in the Path to Purpose: Community-Based Projects program. I joined because I wanted to challenge myself, build real skills, and create a positive impact beyond the classroom! 
I’m Maya Gary, a second-student at UF fortunate enough to participate in the Path to Purpose: Community-Based Projects program. I joined to learn how to best serve my community, develop skills in the social service sector, and make real world contributions!

2. From Idea to Impact: The Project Journey

Maya Gary: Starting off my journey in Path to Purpose, I understood that I had a deep-rooted desire to serve my community in the education sector. Growing up with my mom working as an elementary school teacher, I recognized that the importance of early education cannot be overlooked.

As such, when I first met with Gainesville Thrives at the Volunteer Fair I quickly came to realize that our passions and collective goals intertwined when it came to serving our community. From there, I began communicating with the Gainesville Thrives team in order to better understand their needs—collaborating together to identify what I could bring to the table. Understanding that their volunteer platform had organizational struggles that affected their ability to effectively recruit volunteers, we began to work together to find a solution that streamlined their volunteer organization system while still staying accessible to everyone across the Gainesville Thrives team. 

“Through this program, I got the chance to support Take Stock in Children (TSIC), a nonprofit helping low-income high school students in Gainesville pursue higher education. What started as an idea to help boost their professional development turned into one of the most rewarding experiences of my year!” – Ariana Enriquez

3. More Than Just Service: The Skills You Actually Gain

Ariana Enriquez: If there’s one skill I walked away with, it’s project management. From creating a volunteer recruitment form to planning the entire flow of a youth leadership conference, I had to think ahead, stay organized, and adapt quickly.

One moment that really tested me was coordinating all the conference sessions. I had to juggle volunteers, speakers, and logistics while keeping the student experience front and center. Leading that event taught me how to take initiative, make decisions under pressure, and keep a team motivated—all skills I know will help me in any future career.

The experience also changed how I see leadership. Before, I thought leaders had to have all the answers. Now I know it’s more about being flexible, listening, and creating space for others to shine. 

“Communication truly is key: working hand in hand with my community partner, outlining project specifics, discussing execution, and maintaining clear lines of communication proved to be crucial in project execution!” – Maya Gary

4. The “Real Talk”: Commitment, Challenges & Support

Maya Gary: Managing this project wasn’t always simple: starting off my college journey, I found myself trying to do everything—join every club, participate in every organization, do everything I could to immerse myself at UF. However, I quickly realized that if I truly wanted to put my all into the programs that I was participating in I had to be honest with myself about what was genuinely achievable.

Working a part-time job and taking rigorous courses alongside Path to Purpose, it was crucial for me to allocate specific times in my schedule for me to work on my Path to Purpose project. As the project was much more undefined than my other responsibilities—I wasn’t clocking in and out, or sprinting to make it to my designated class times, it was incredibly important that I took initiative in managing my own time in order to contribute effectively to my project without overworking myself. My typical “Path to Purpose week” often looked like clearing pockets of time before or after work to dedicate myself to my Path to Purpose project, as well as dedicating the time after Path to Purpose meetings to iron out the week’s goals in regard to my project (as I knew that was when I would be the most productive!).

Throughout this process, however, the support of my friends, family, and community partner was incredibly impactful in allowing my work to blossom. By being patient with me, supporting my successes and coaching me through my obstacles faced, I felt confident and prepared to tackle any and all challenges thrown at me throughout the process.

“Balancing this project with everything else wasn’t always simple. There were times I wanted to pause, but sticking with it taught me how rewarding commitment really is. If you’re ready to push through the tough moments, Path to Purpose will show you how meaningful that dedication can be.” – Ariana Enriquez

5. Conclusion: Your Path Forward

“My biggest takeaway: small actions can lead to big impact. Watching students leave more confident than they came in? Unforgettable.” – Ariana Enriquez

Maya Gary: This program has taught me so much about community involvement—getting to learn from the experiences of those around me, taking part in creating positive growth across my broader Gainesville community, and making lifetime connections across the program has truly made me feel at home in my experiences at UF. I’ve been able to find and support my community—both inside and outside of UF—and have gained so many skills that I can carry with me both in my educational and professional journey.

If I had to offer one piece of advice for anyone looking to join Path to Purpose? No project is too small. Showing up for our community doesn’t mean “solving” everyone’s obstacles; it means showing up intentionally and meaningfully, putting your best foot forward in every step you take. 

Thinking about joining Path to Purpose: Community-Based Projects? Go for it. You don’t need to be perfect—just willing to learn, lead, and make a difference.

6. Calls to Action

Ready to discover your path to purpose? Apply for the Path to Purpose Institute by next Thursday, September 4th, 2025, at 11:59 PM! This is your chance to join our inaugural kickoff program, featuring a case competition hosted in partnership with the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank.

Participation in the Path to Purpose Institute is required for those interested in the year-long Path to Purpose: Community-Based Projects program. The Institute serves as our program’s kick-off and a valuable recruitment tool, offering networking with like-minded peers, foundational learning in community engagement, and culminating in a hands-on case competition experience.

Want to learn more about the year-long program?

By The Brown Center for Leadership & Service
The Brown Center for Leadership & Service
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