Member Spotlight: Elisabetta

When Elisabetta moved to the Triangle from Miami, Florida, in March 2025, she was starting completely fresh. With no local connections and a workplace that wasn’t exactly known for socializing, she knew she needed to find a way to meet people and build a community in her new home.

Just a month later, in April 2025, she joined Triangle YP Civitan—and it quickly became exactly what she was looking for.

“I wanted to find a way to connect with people likely to have similar values and interests to me,” Elisabetta shared. “I came across Civitan and was excited to have the opportunity to volunteer again and also meet new people.”

Volunteering has long been close to her heart. During school, Elisabetta worked with children with special needs, an experience that left a lasting impression and continues to guide the causes she cares about today.

A Heart for Special Olympics

Among all the volunteer events Elisabetta has participated in so far, one stands out above the rest: Special Olympics.

Seeing the event come together—participants of all ages and abilities celebrating their accomplishments—was incredibly meaningful for her.

“It was so cool to see such a well-run event where everyone could show up and have fun,” she said. “A lot of the attendees were kids who were just so happy to be there.”

One of the most rewarding moments was helping guide athletes to the medals ceremony.

“It really was an honor to help the attendees make their way to receive their awards and hear them talk about their events and how well they had done.”

Moments like that capture what volunteering is all about: celebrating achievement, building confidence, and making sure everyone feels seen and supported.

A First Event That Felt Like Home

Sometimes the smallest moments end up meaning the most. For Elisabetta, one of her favorite memories came during her very first Civitan event—volunteering at the Food Bank.

Walking into a room full of strangers can be intimidating, especially for someone who considers herself shy. But the Civitan community made the experience welcoming from the start.

“Everyone made a real effort to talk to me and get to know me even though we hadn’t met before,” she said. “I have a hard time initiating conversations, so it was really nice to be included so quickly.”

That first experience set the tone for everything that followed.

“I'm usually the type of person who gets anxious and cancels plans last minute, but Civitan has helped me grow out of my shell and make an effort to see people regularly.”

What started as a way to meet people has turned into something even more meaningful—a community that encourages growth, connection, and confidence.

Supporting Young Women Through CORRAL Academy

Another event that left a lasting impression for Elisabetta was volunteering with CORRAL Riding Academy.

The work that day wasn’t glamorous—spending several hours mucking out a horse corral—but the mission behind the organization made it deeply worthwhile.

CORRAL Academy provides equine therapy, mentorship, and vocational training for at-risk girls, many of whom face challenges related to poverty or systemic inequality. Each participant is paired with a horse, creating a powerful bond that helps build confidence, resilience, and emotional support.

For Elisabetta, the cause felt especially personal. “I loved working with horses when I was a kid, and it was a great source of comfort for me,” she shared. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help other girls have that same experience.”

Sometimes service means getting your hands dirty—literally—but knowing the impact makes every moment worthwhile.

Building Community, One Event at a Time

In just a year, Elisabetta has found far more than volunteer opportunities. She’s found a welcoming community, meaningful causes to support, and a space to grow both personally and socially.

From helping athletes celebrate their victories at Special Olympics to supporting young women through equine therapy programs, Elisabetta embodies the spirit of Civitan: showing up, giving back, and lifting others up along the way.

What began as a search for connection after moving to a new city has become something much bigger—a place to belong.