Daniel Prejean

For two years, I volunteered with Northwest Assistance Ministries, a charitable organization based in Houston. During the first year, I supported day-to-day operations by sorting donations, assisting customers in the organization’s resale storefront, and helping maintain a clean and organized facility. This role gave me firsthand experience in nonprofit operations and strengthened my ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.

In my second year, I transitioned to assisting the IT department, where I took on more technical responsibilities. My duties included basic server maintenance, network support, and troubleshooting hardware and connectivity issues. This experience allowed me to build foundational skills in IT infrastructure while contributing meaningfully to the organization’s internal operations.

For two years, I volunteered with the Abundant Harvest Food Kitchen, a charitable organization focused on addressing food insecurity and supporting underserved communities. My primary responsibilities involved picking up donated surplus food from local grocery stores, transporting shipments to the facility, and assisting with the sorting, labeling, and storage of perishable and non-perishable items. While I occasionally provided IT support, my main contributions were operational, ensuring that the food supply chain ran smoothly and efficiently.

In addition to logistics, I regularly supported community outreach events where prepared meals were distributed at no cost to those in need. These events also offered free services such as haircuts and laundry. I helped set up and break down event spaces, greeted attendees, distributed laundry tokens, assisted with washing and folding clothes, and served meals. I also participated in fundraising efforts by engaging with potential donors, sharing the mission of the organization, and encouraging financial contributions to support ongoing programs.

For two years, I served as a volunteer Suppression Firefighter with the Klein Volunteer Fire Department. I was trained and certified in structural firefighting, with additional qualifications in basic wildland firefighting, motor vehicle incident response, gas leaks and fuel spills, and hazardous materials awareness. My training began with an intensive three-month academy, followed by a 12-month probationary period during which I responded to calls and participated in ongoing skills development.

As a member, I participated in a variety of community outreach programs. I participated in public education efforts, including visits to local schools, community water events for children, and fire safety demonstrations. We provided services such as changing smoke detector batteries for elderly residents, conducting vehicle safety checks—especially for car seats—and organizing voter registration and blood donation drives. I also helped facilitate safety and preparedness training sessions for community members, reinforcing the department’s mission to support and protect the public beyond emergency scenarios.

In addition to fieldwork and community engagement, I took a strong interest in the internal governance of the department. I regularly attended the open portions of board meetings and participated in department-wide votes where all members were invited. This involvement offered me valuable insight into nonprofit governance, budgeting, and strategic planning. Observing and contributing to these processes deepened my understanding of organizational leadership and fiscal responsibility.

Overall, my time with Klein Volunteer Fire Department allowed me to develop a wide range of technical, interpersonal, and civic skills. It was a hands-on education in public service, teamwork under pressure, and the administrative frameworks that support emergency operations—all of which have had a lasting impact on my approach to service and leadership.

In 2023, I undertook a rare and personally meaningful opportunity to contribute to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Alongside a friend, I began learning Ukrainian and seeking out a trustworthy NGO with a meaningful mission. After weeks of research and outreach, we connected with Global Augmentation, a small but highly committed organization providing medical aid and training within Ukraine. We enrolled in and completed a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) certification course—an intense and humbling experience that pushed us both mentally and physically. Coordinating the necessary paperwork, security protocols, and onboarding with the organization presented additional logistical hurdles, but by the end of the year, we were ready to deploy.

In January 2024, we traveled to Kyiv and joined Global Augmentation’s headquarters. Over two months, I worked alongside a small team in a high-pressure environment, supporting the delivery of critical medical assistance and training. I gained firsthand experience with the realities of international humanitarian work—adapting quickly, navigating unfamiliar systems, and contributing wherever needed. The experience deepened my understanding of nonprofit operations, mission logistics, and cross-cultural collaboration, while reinforcing a strong sense of purpose and resilience in service to others.