A warm welcome, from day one of volunteering
When Sheldon Xiao walked through the doors of 54 reasons, Save the Children’s domestic team delivering services and advocacy in Australia, his plan was to do a short stint of volunteering while completing his university degree. Instead, he ended up volunteering for three years and became a valued member of the 54 reasons team.
Sheldon’s memory of that first day at the 54 reasons’ office was very positive. “I was welcomed, supported, and trusted from day one, and that environment helped me grow with confidence.”
He shared how his manager and supervisor went out of their way to help him settle in. “They were thoughtful, thorough, and really helped put me at ease.”
“They didn’t just introduce me to the job, they welcomed me into the team. That attention to detail and human warmth made all the difference. It helped shift my mindset from anxious and uncertain to curious and motivated. By the end of that first day, I already felt like I belonged.”
An alignment of values
The 32-year-old shares that what drew him to 54 reasons was the genuine commitment he saw for children, families, and communities. “It wasn’t just a mission statement — it was visible in how the team worked and treated each other. I wanted to volunteer somewhere that truly lived its values.”
“There was a strong sense of shared purpose. People worked hard, but they also cared deeply. That mix of professionalism and genuine heart made a lasting impression on me, and it shaped how I now work with others in any environment.”
Fostering connection and belongingness
For Sheldon his volunteer work also gave him the opportunity to find belonging in his new country.
“As someone from a migrant background, it was powerful to be part of an organisation that truly welcomes and supports people from diverse communities. It helped me feel connected, valued and hopeful about building a future here — not just for myself, but for my family too.”
Sheldon’s wife was very supportive for him to keep going with volunteering, even as he juggled it with casual work and family.
The appreciation goes both ways. Dale Rahmanovic, Operations Support Manager for 54 reasons in NSW and Tasmania, warmly attests to Sheldon’s contributions to the team.
“We have benefited greatly from Sheldon’s volunteering support. Sheldon has become a valuable member of the Tasmania/NSW team, and is highly regarded, and liked by his coworkers.”
Providing an opportunity to learn and be mentored
From the start, Dale was conscious of providing a meaningful volunteering experience, that Sheldon could use to build skills and boost his career prospects.
“The motivation for us to provide a volunteer role was to support somebody in developing their skills. It was less about being a transactional relationship.”
The role provided Sheldon with an opportunity to plan and lead projects and grow specialist skills in areas like administration, marketing content creation, business research, asset control and marketing and communication.
But for Sheldon, the impact went deeper than just building skills. He shares his reflection of what volunteering with 54 reasons has meant for him personally:
“Volunteering for 54 reasons became a turning point in both my personal and professional life.
“Personally, the experience helped me build emotional resilience, patience and a stronger sense of empathy — especially after witnessing how programs can create real, long-term change in people’s lives.
“In many ways, 54 reasons gave me a space to not only contribute, but also to discover who I am and what kind of professional I want to be. That’s something I’ll carry with me far beyond this role — it’s shaped how I show up, what I value in a workplace, and the kind of impact I want to make in the future.
“Just as importantly, 54 reasons gave me a professional network and mentors who genuinely wanted to see me succeed. The feedback, encouragement, and trust I received shaped not only my skillset, but also my belief that I was ready for the next step. Volunteering gave me more than a foot in the door — it gave me momentum, direction, and a career path I’m excited to follow.”
Recently Sheldon gained employment at a government agency, winding up his three years of volunteering. But his connection with the 54 reasons team is cemented, and the friendship and collegial support remain.
“I’m looking forward to having a cup of tea with Sheldon and a chinwag to see how he’s getting on,” says Dale.