I’m spending the summer in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado, with a group called Project Impact. We are a group of 30 or so people who all have the same goal this summer – to grow and strengthen as people, and to help out those around us. Because we’re all in college, we’re working full time jobs, and then doing volunteer projects in the evenings and weekends.

My mentor was a Project participant in years past, and she really encouraged me to go. I was a little apprehensive about participating, mostly because I didn’t know what to expect. We have two weeks to find a job that may or may not put a black scar on my crisp white resume? I will be moving in with a group of girls that I may or may not get along with? My family group of girls is going to be paired up with a brother group that may or may not be made up of immature boys?

Two late-night jam sessions, a couple home-cooked meals, and a set of clean dishes later, I’ve become very appreciative of my brother group. One-hundred business inquiries later (this is not an exaggeration), and I’ve been hired as a hostess at Johnny Rockets and Chili’s. Ten days later I can’t imagine not knowing the girls I’m living with. Everyone has been so honest and open; I feel like I’ve known them my whole life. Things that might normally be awkward to do to people you’ve only known for a couple days are totally fine and accepted. Case in point: