Angela goes to the homeless shelter to paint and ends up finding a long-term volunteer opportunity!

Your name: Angela

Cause name: It was organized through United Way Day of Caring; the organization I worked through was Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa.

Cause website url: http://www.unitedwaywinecountry.org/ ; http://www.srcharities.org/services/family-support-center.html

painting at the homeless shelter

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? No, I’ve volunteered during Day of Caring four times.

Questions

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.  I have been donating to the United Way for several years; this is an annual event. I was assigned to a homeless shelter and painted the fences of the temporary housing and helped paint a mural in the children’s play yard. Making the place look nicer helps the families take pride in where they live and improves their quality of life while they’re trying to get back on their feet. There are a multitude of volunteer opportunities at the shelter: Reading to or tutoring the children, teaching job skills to the adults, yard work, donating items and much more.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?  I expected to go in and paint, clean up and learn a little about the organization. I ended up getting a full tour of the facility and really learned about what they do. I was inspired to come back and do more.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?  Every little bit helps. Donating ONE DRESS can make a huge difference. They teach job skills to the adults and help them get interviews, but what do they wear? A nice outfit gives them so much confidence. I went back later and with the help of my friends and colleagues, donated about 20 bags of professional clothing.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time? I would tell them to keep their eyes open for ways they can help, don’t just complete your task and go home. People tend to think that because they don’t have any special skills like carpentry or teaching math, that they can’t help. But even reading a bedtime story to a group of children helps so much, and just about anyone can do that.

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause? I don’t know of any restrictions for this cause. There will always be physical labor to be done, but people of any age or physical ability can go in and read to the kids or donate books or clothing.

Thanks Angela! Keep serving those less fortunate and continue making your community a better place.

Please leave a comment below.