How did you find your inner hero? Chris’ calling

At Mingamos, we keep on looking for heroes that change our communities around the world. This week, Chris (53, USA) decided to share his story and point of view with Mingamos community.

• How would you briefly describe the projects where you got involved? Organizing marginalized populations into intrabeneficial tribes in America.
• What was your motivation to start volunteering? My sister being left on the streets of Japan with no way home after losing teaching position. Obviously, America is NOT the most powerful country in the world, if it cannot help its own people.
• Why did you decide to change things and get out of the status quo?Having been trapped in an abusive relationship with the U.S., due to no support system or family.
• Was there a person or event that inspired you? Obama asked for answers after a shooting.
• How has your life changed since this experience? How has your vision of the world changed? Do you feel like an anonymous hero? I don’t need beyond myself any longer. My work is based on Maslow, Bloom, and the Native American Tribal Structure. I do not necessarily feel like an anonymous hero. I want the subculture of America to know it is not wished dead, and empowerment, health, and empathy is possible if we work together, neighborhood by neighborhood.

Empowerment, health, and empathy is possible if we work together, neighborhood by neighborhood.

• Why did you choose this cause and this organization? It is my calling.
• How would define yourself: the hyperactive, very focused, the expert or the connector volunteer type? (other types are also allowed ;-) )Undiscouraged, undaunted, and fearless.
• What were the challenges you experienced in the beginning? Your family, your work, your studies, friends, expectations? Understanding the unspoken lingering hope of the American “underclass”.
• Did you fail at any time? Why did you try again? Insensitivity is failing. I try not to be.
• What is the greatest reward you have received from your activities?Being able to speak the truth to mainstream. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/three-months-ago-while-working-computer-starbucks-i-met-chris-helmuth?trk=mp-author-card
• Would you do it again? Absolutely.
• What would you do over differently? Nothing.
• What are the characteristics that unite all of the volunteers you have met during this experience? Passion for empowerment, wanting to acknowledge their more sacred, non-toxic side to themselves, and music.
• What is the most common misconception about your activities or of volunteering activities in general? I have just been accused of fabricating the reality of these people by mainstream.
• What is your opinion of volunteering and what do you think it lacks? How would you motivate others to join in a case they care about? Fall forward.
• Now, how has your life changed? Do you do certain things differently? I watch my back, because mainstream is getting hostile while learning the truth.
• If you are having a tough day, what is your motivation song? Uptown Funk is my ear vitamins everyday ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0
• Do you have a spirit animal? ;-) A few actually.

Thank you very much Chris to share your story with us you surely inspired more than one of us!

Do you also want to share your story with the community? Tell us your story through our questionnaire “How did you find your inner hero?” here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes9kPKbyptEbS1i3LUYkZQ9oKvBtlhL3mNNCxRG7zwtJ_ZTg/viewform#start=invite