It was an eye-opening experience for Bailey Mesnick when she and other members of a local National Charity League (NCL) chapter volunteered at a women’s homeless shelter.

The young Mercer Islanders interacted with the women and their children, cooked for them and threw a birthday party for the young ones during the locals’ visit. Mesnick said they learned how the organization cares for and becomes friends with the women and their children and works to find the women jobs.

Mesnick said everyone was appreciative that the Islanders stopped by and brought smiles to those people at the shelter.

A 16-year-old sophomore at Mercer Island High School (MIHS), Mesnick has been involved with NCL’s Lake Washington chapter for the last four years and strongly bonded with her mother, Leslie, during her time spent with the mother-daughter nonprofit organization.

Bailey now carries NCL’s three programming pillars of philanthropy, leadership and culture with her onto the organization’s National Ticktocker Advisory Council. She joins fellow members in grades 7-12 — from Washington, Texas, California, Arkansas and other states — at virtual meetings to share their ideas in shaping future programming.

“It definitely made me more confident in my leadership skills, just working in general, and I’ve become more extroverted because of it,” said Bailey about her NCL experience. She added that those traits she’s built upon through her involvement in NCL has her thinking about becoming a lawyer down the line.

Iris Swinea, NCL’s director of programs, feels fortunate to have such a strong group of councilmembers on board.

“It’s such a pleasure working with these young ladies and seeing how much they flourish in this environment. Their ideas and creative thinking allow us to innovate as an organization that continues to grow,” Swinea said in a press release.

Leslie, who enjoyed her six years of NCL service with her own mother, said that Bailey is a kind-hearted, considerate and dependable young woman who’s an ideal fit for NCL. Bailey said that she’s committed to making an impact during her time with NCL and thrives on bonding with her mother and connecting with her peers along the way.

“You get to experience so many different types of volunteering work. It really makes you think about what you want to do when you’re older. It’s a really good age to discover your interests. You just get to work with so many different people and so many different types of jobs,” said Bailey, who plays basketball at MIHS and favors her English and math classes.

During her interactions with NCL councilmembers pertaining to the culture pillar, Bailey heard from one girl who sings in the school choir and often performs on campus. Classmates haven’t reacted nicely to her singing, and Bailey said she’d never allow something like that to happen at her school. She’d put a positive spin on the situation to quell the laughter and tell others that the singer is brave for performing.

Mom said that she’s enjoyed watching Bailey develop life skills, maturity and more during their NCL activities.

“NCL offers so many opportunities for the two of us to engage and connect in a completely different manner, outside of the daily hustle. It’s prompted additional questions, which have led to deeper and more meaningful conversations about all things life,” Leslie said.

Bailey’s advice to young girls thinking about joining NCL is to log copious volunteer hours and enjoy their time with the organization.

“Appreciate those experiences, especially with your mom,” she said.