2020-October-22

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Life Lesson: Que Te Rinda Tu Dinero

BY BLANCA SAMANO · PROJECT SPECIALIST-ADMINISTRATOR · UNITED STATES

We did not have much growing up. My parents were farmworkers, who worked hard to make sure their children grew up humble, respectful, hard-working, and compassionate.

One of the essential lessons I learned growing up — and has become one my core values — is que te rinda tu dinero, which means “may your money go far”.

Dinero does not always mean money. It also means to share with those who are less fortunate — share time, money, and resources with those who need support. Share what you have with humility.

Humility to me means helping others — not thinking twice about the hard work involved. After helping others, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

When I joined Cisco, I was asked to coordinate a team volunteer and philanthropy event. I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure what a philanthropy event was. I had no clue where to start. I did some research and chose San Jose's Sacred Heart Community Service, which welcomed me with open arms.

My team and I showed up not really knowing what to expect. My heart sank when I saw the line of people in need, a line that wrapped all the way around the building. I did not realize how many people relied on volunteers like us for support.

We were instructed to treat those in need with kindness and how we ourselves would want to be treated in a similar situation. For me, this was easy, as it has always been my motto.

I asked myself what more I could do to help these people? As a Mexicana, I grew up getting told not to ask questions. It was a challenge, but when I got more comfortable, I started to ask more questions.

I have been volunteering now for more than eight years with Cisco. I have had the best leader who has given me the support so that I can help my community. Cisco has opened doors for me, and I have been able to use my Time2Give to volunteer for causes close to my heart.

I am proud to be serving on the Board of Urban Assembly School of Global Commerce (UASGC) based in Harlem, New York.

UASGC is one of the schools that is very near and dear to my heart. When Lori Osterback, Supply Chain chief of staff director, shared the story about the school and how some of these students were facing challenges, I immediately wanted to be part of the solution.

I had the opportunity to visit the school, and I cannot tell you how it made me feel. The school is a cold brick building that houses two other schools and over 400 students. It has no windows and no Wi-Fi connection.

Some of these students are facing poverty. Their lunch counts as their daily meal. They can't attend after-school programs because they are the caregiver for their siblings after school because their parents need to work.

School is the only place these young people have to escape from growing up too fast. It took us over three years to incorporate Cisco’s Network Academy program into the school, and it is an ongoing commitment. I am so proud of the relationships we have built with the teachers and students and how much we’ve been able to help this school.

Thanks to Cisco, I am able to fulfill my passion for volunteering. Earlier this year, I was asked by Supply Chain to help lead part of the Cristo Rey Enrichment program, which helps prepare students to leave home in search of post-secondary educational opportunities.

There have been some fantastic people leading the program, so I have some big shoes to fill. But I hope to share some of my experience from my work with UASGC.

We hit some challenges with the shelter in place order in March since the program had not yet begun and slowed our progress. We had to collect laptops from the Cisco campus and reimage them, which took multiple visits and several weeks to complete due to campus limitations.

It took a lot of coordination, but with house visits and the help of great people, we were able to provide the right equipment so our 16 Christo Rey students could all work remotely with their supervisors and mentors.

We have much more work to do on the program, and I am still learning, but I know how it feels to need some extra help.

Why do I volunteer? Why not?

I work for the World's #1 Best Place to Work, and Cisco has allowed me to lean into my passion.

It is so gratifying to be able to help others, not just because my family supports me and my job gives me the opportunity to do so, but because I love doing it!

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