Student Creates Non-Profit to Give Back to Her Community

Blogionista Travels Foundations is the dream made reality of junior communications major, Dominique Dawson. (Photo courtesy of Dawson)

Angela Rivas / Contributing Writer.

Teens in South Florida can be inspired to travel out of the country with their expenses covered thanks to a non-profit organization.

Blogionista Travels Foundation is the dream made reality of junior communications major, Dominique Dawson, whose goal is to give to teens and to her family’s home country, Jamaica.

“I wanna give teens and extra push when it comes to them fulfilling their dreams,” said Dawson. “[And] I would like to visit schools and donate supplies.”

Her main motivation stems from her family, most notably her father, a Jamaican immigrant who came to the United States in search of a better life at the age of 21.

“He grew up in a poor community and came here for better opportunities,” Dawson said. “That’s why one of my [goals] is to give back to Jamaica.”

In regard to her organization and its purpose, Dawson has received positive feedback from both family and her friends.

“There were a lot of congratulations and people asking how they can get involved through direct messages on social media,” she said.

Dawson posted her organization’s link in class chats, resulting in many students reaching out to her.

“[FIU] has helped me a lot in a positive way,” she said, “and many students from Jamaica have reached out to me in order to get involved.”

Her non-profit was marketed with the help of her classes, bringing more awareness to her organization and becoming more involved.

“That was the most exciting thing for me, that I can help someone in that way,” she said. “When I make other people happy, I feel like I have fulfilled my purpose in life.”

Dominique Dawson, a junior majoring in communications

One of Dawson’s goals after her graduation in 2021 is to bring teens on destination trips starting either in the U.S. or in Jamaica.

Another plan of Dawson is to open community centers in South Florida for children and teenagers, having been inspired by her own experiences growing up near them.

“I remember when I was growing up there was a community center where kids can go to stay out of trouble.”

These centers will offer both after-school and summer activities, a grand part of Dawson’s future plans.

However, like most plans this year, the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic has put a hold on her plans as of right now, making it difficult to fulfil her mission.

Despite the setback, Dawson remains determined to help out teens and has partnered with a family in South Florida to provide teens with school supplies for the 2020-21 school year.

“That was the most exciting thing for me, that I can help someone in that way,” she said. “When I make other people happy, I feel like I have fulfilled my purpose in life.”

Dawson purchased school supplies, such as headphones and notebooks for teens through donations made to her foundation.

She was able to cover internet expenses for two months as all school is currently virtual and as of now, she has made $300 in donations.

Dawson is planning to host givebacks to schools around South Florida once they reopen, consisting of donating supplies.

Currently, Dawson is seeking volunteers to help her distribute school supplies once the givebacks occur. 

In order to donate or become involved with her organization, visit her foundation’s website.

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