Meet Nestor Natareno

Volunteer Spotlights

Which year did you begin your involvement with Making It Better? I started in the Fall of 2016.

How did you get involved? I was discussing the program with a friend that was working for Making It Better. I first volunteered at a Family Literacy Night and then was asked if I was interested in Lunch Bunch.

What are your thoughts on being able to work for a company that encourages getting involved in the community? I’m a believer in giving back to the community, and Oasis Petroleum has the same mindset and promotes it, it’s a great company culture in which to be.

What is the most rewarding thing about being involved in Making It Better’s Lunch Bunch program? Seeing the students grow and just being another mentor in their life to discuss anything has been the best part of Lunch Bunch for me.

How has Making It Better impacted your life? It has helped me realize the importance of mentors (i.e., teachers, after-school programs, other volunteer groups) in the students’ lives. It goes back to the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and the more people are invested into the youth, the better the future for the child and the community.

What’s your favorite children’s book? Charlotte’s Web

In your own words, why is literacy so important? It’s the building blocks to everything else. The stronger your literacy skills are, the easier it is to understand and/or learn any other subject.

What do you do like to do in your spare time? Exercising and building things are my favorite hobbies outside of my career.

What are your hopes for the future of Making It Better as an organization? I would like for it to be a larger program so that more students are impacted. I would like it to be a well-known program like Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

Why would you recommend that others get involved with Making It Better? It’s a good way to be involved with the community, even for those that don’t have much time outside of work.