Volunteering Is Foundation of Jacki Lake, Serving as Role Model, Booster

Even with her community accomplishments, Jacki Lake said she is most proud of her family.

The mother of two left a full-time gig to become a full-time mom and volunteer in the Poway community.

She is the PTSA president at Poway High School, board member of the Poway High School Foundation and the president of the Poway High School Girls Volleyball Booster Club.

She also served as president of the Painted Rock Elementary School Foundation and is now a member of the Poway chapter of the National Charity League.

“I like to volunteer my time where my kids are involved,” she said. “When I left my career to be a full-time mom so many years ago, I looked at volunteering as a full-time job. I truly feel an obligation to give my time to my kids’ schools and organizations where they are involved and help in any way I can.”

Lake, who has lived in Poway for 12 years and organizes people’s homes part-time, said her role model is her mother.

“My mother taught me to strive to always be a better person—to be confident, strong and be willing to do whatever it takes to stand up for what you believe in,” she said.

“It is because of her that I am who I am today. I hope I make her as proud to be my mother as I am to be her daughter.”

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

“Women make history because they do something extraordinary. We look to these extraordinary women as they pave the way for all of us. One of these extraordinary women who inspires me daily is author Maya Angelou. She once said, ‘People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.’ 

“This sentiment is so important to me. And you don’t need to be extraordinary to follow this. Women are seen as the nurturers in our society; and as such, we need to always remember that the way we make people feel—in every interaction of every day—can be life-changing.

“You always hear that story about how something someone said changed their lives. It’s true. Make sure that you make the people you interact with daily feel loved, cherished and respected. It will truly stay with them forever. It will make you feel better, too.”