Finding Confidence Through Community
Madison (center) attending a Red Sox game with her community.
By Cora Davis, Communications Director
When Madison joined Notre Dame Mission Volunteers in Boston, she was at a turning point. After years abroad—teaching English in Japan and navigating the uncertainty of returning to the U.S.—she was searching for both stability and purpose.
“I was scared to come back to America. I thought, I’m going to be stuck in Alabama. I was pessimistic, unsure of what would come next. But when I saw NDMV’s mission, I thought, this could work out.”
That step of courage brought Madison to Boston, where she now serves as an educational assistant with Julie’s Family Learning Program. With more preschool students enrolled this year, her role has become all the more essential. From guiding toddlers in the classroom to helping in the kitchen and the office, Madison’s days are full—and fulfilling.
“This is the one job that I wake up looking forward to,” she shares. “The students are learning how to socialize, how to step into a new stage of life. It’s not just about the kids, but their parents, too. You really feel like what you’re doing matters.”
Her path to NDMV wasn’t linear. Madison had once planned to serve in the Peace Corps, but she decided to wait and serve in the United States for a few years and go to graduate school. She applied to teach English in Japan and served there for five years. During that time span–the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She experienced the isolation of living in a rural community during the pandemic. Prior to that experience, Madison had a certain perception of what it would look liek to serve abroad, she reflects, “At the end of the day, a place is a place. People are people. I learned to ride the roller coaster of life—and that things always work out.”
That resilience carried her into her service year with NDMV, where she’s found both community and confidence. Living with fellow volunteers in a former rectory, she has had to push herself outside her comfort zone—reaching out to new people, volunteering across the city, and learning more about herself along the way.
“I’m naturally shy, but Boston has opened me up. Volunteering helped me learn about the city, and about myself. I’ve gained confidence. I feel seen here.”
She loved her experience so much that she just signed up for a second year of service with NDMV. Each morning, she finds joy in the children’s smiles, the parents’ trust, and the knowledge that she is contributing to something that matters.
“Before, life felt robotic—every day the same. Here, I feel fulfilled. I’m busy, yes, but I wake up looking forward to it. NDMV gave me hope when I needed it most.”
