The power of community
I want to shed some light on the volunteer experience in a Day Shelter. Every day is different, each holds the potential for the mundane and the life changing, temporary relief to generational impact.
Core to a healthy shelter philosophy is the belief that there is never a “them”, there is just all of “us” and some of “us” lack housing and resources.
It’s also important to understand that many of our friends come into the shelter feeling lost in the world, they believe themselves invisible and worthless… nothing more than a burden.
The power of community is a standing offer of friendship… of family, and a consistent reflection of the infinite worth of each person.
Who of us doesn’t long to be missed when we’re not around and celebrated when we show up?
Over time, this offer of friendship, has the effect of restoring people to themselves. It’s exhilarating. In time, we all grow more healthy as we feel known, seen and heard. The result is a deep sense of self-worth, confidence and an increase of precious hope.
One of my favorite examples of this was the day that James, one of our beloved friends and guests at the shelter, announced it was time to go home. He had arrived several months earlier, believing all of those lies about himself. Now, armed with the confidence that being in community gave him, he’d contacted his family. They were overjoyed to hear from him and asked that he return home. Florida was his destination if I recall correctly. No small trip from Colorado. We were elated.
The news came during a midweek shift when Tina, one of our rock-star volunteers, was on the desk. Tina wasted no time, she worked on and off with James for the better part of a week, mapping out the cross-country travel. Researching bus schedules and securing tickets, making sure he had the correct luggage (from donations that had been dropped off) along with clothing for the change of climate. She researched food joints near the bus stations where he’d stop and asked her friends to donate gift cards.
She printed out two copies of his itinerary with all of his emergency contacts and placed them in protective sleeves which she had James stow in separate places. She became so immersed in getting him home safe… it was inspiring to witness. She thought of everything.
Meanwhile, our shelter staff got his I.D. in order, had his health records sent from his PCP ahead to the caregivers in his hometown and purchased a cell phone with plenty of minutes for the journey. We helped him go through his belongings and decide what he wanted to bring with him, what he wanted to give away and what he wanted to chuck in the garbage.
We made sure all the stakeholders in James life were informed about his departure. Naomi, another volunteer, organized a going-away party, Bruce used our kitchen to bake a cake. We all wanted James to know how much he’d be missed and that we were excited for his future. It was beautiful to see people rally to James’ side and take such ownership in his safe passage home and his future success.
The departure date arrived, with James’ permission, we contacted his family and emailed the details of his trip. We made sure that he and his family had our cell numbers for any need that may arise. It was absolutely thrilling to witness what a community can do when working together. We all shared in the fun of getting a call from James as he arrived home safe.
These are the moments you wait for.
Tina told us later that it gave her a sense of purpose she’d rarely felt since her kids had grown and moved on.
Getting involved
One of the great joys of being on staff at a shelter is offering volunteer orientations. Over the years I’ve met some of the most wonderful people from all walks of life. Retirees wanting to contribute, parents introducing their children to a lifestyle of caring, faith community leaders learning how to partner with their unhoused neighbors, formerly unhoused folks with so much to offer, college students, and the occasional skeptic, there to bravely challenge (or confirm) their biases. There were civic leaders, politicians, and teachers bringing their leadership class in for a lecture about the realities of the unhoused, followed up by a tour of the place.
Given a little time behind the desk, many volunteers realize that their personal expertise could find context to enrich the lives of our guests. I’ve seen folks offer cooking classes, writing classes, help with job interviewing skills, resume’ writing instruction, financial literacy training, etc. Photographers would take family photos, stylists offered haircuts, I could fill the page with the creative ways people offered their best.
I’ve witnessed volunteers spend hours helping a guest do job searches and fill out applications, complete a resume’, and think through next steps to further their path toward freedom. Assisting with tax returns, getting to medical appointments across town, working through legal issues, the list is endless.
I saw some volunteers discover their life’s calling to work with the marginalized. For most, their weekly time-slot was enough, even if they never saw the end result.
I don’t know of another setting where such life changing impact can be made. In the day shelter setting the needs are so diverse that the potential for making a difference in a friends’ circumstance is nearly a guarantee.
The fact is that all of us have benefited from help of others in our lives.
I wonder, what would you offer in the shelter? What personal expertise would you bring to help clear the path for another?
Find your nearest day shelter and start with a tour, ask what needs they have for volunteers.
Full refund if it doesn’t change your life for the better, guaranteed.
