Grassroots Advocate Summer 2024 Story: Megan Beck and Mabel Keppeh, Pennsylvania

Megan joined RESULTS in January 2024 after googling volunteer opportunities. She got involved because she believes in collective action. When many people share an idea and work together, they can make a difference. While she’d been on some email threads, she hadn’t had the opportunity to meet up with other advocates in her area. That changed in June. Her Central Pennsylvania group decided to meet in person for the first time. “They were the nicest people I’ve ever met. I didn’t feel awkward at all. Everything flowed really easily. I felt like I belonged.”  

Mabel, an Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator (OPC) with RESULTS, is also new. She joined as an active advocate just 9 months ago. She signed up several years ago but never got involved until joining the OPC opportunity last fall. At the Introductory Meeting, they were asked why they care about poverty and children who experience hunger. “It was definitely personal. It sparked the passion in me that wants to make a difference.”  

The group decided to visit the United Flight 93 Memorial together and invited others to join them. It felt big and sobering to think about the people who lost their lives to protect their country. After the memorial, they went to a coffee shop together to write postcards calling for solutions to poverty.  

What made it meaningful for the team is, as they filled out their postcards, they were connecting and discussing the issues. “It was more impactful having that face-to-face connection. Not just emails or texts, but seeing people’s faces made a difference,” Mabel shared. “We learned about each other’s personalities. I got to know Megan and realized why this person is part of the organization. I could feel her good energy and good vibes. I could tell she was passionate with a good heart. You can feel that in person but not when you’re emailing or texting.”  

While writing their postcards, they were also able to brainstorm better together. When someone had a brain freeze and they didn’t know what to write about, the team could jump in and help. They shared their experiences and reasons for caring. This helped them find a connection. “If we’re emailing each other, that kind of support and open conversation isn’t possible,” Mabel said.  

The team was still finishing their postcards when the coffee shop was closing. But the extra accountability of being together kicked in. They all decided, no, we aren’t leaving until we finish this together! We need this kind of support to get the job done. It will help us, whether it’s a single action or a long campaign to improve our communities for people experiencing poverty. 

The power of being together in person was transformational for Megan. She offers a powerful reminder to other advocates who are hesitant to do outreach. “When people are looking for volunteer opportunities, they are often feeling alone. They are trying to get out more. Giving them the opportunity to get together, connect, and find their community—that’s worth it. You might think your voice is small and you might not be able to change the world alone. But when you connect with your community and get their help and support, you can make a big difference.”  

The benefits of outreach go beyond what a potential new advocate receives. “Hearing someone else’s story can have a big impact on you too,” Mabel added. “Networking with people from different backgrounds can open your mind. Given the current climate, it’s a benefit to you as a community advocate to have that open mind.”