Volunteer Amy contributes regular time to Family Promise and offered us these observations and lessons learned as she interacts with families, staff, and other volunteers.
Please note: this is the pre-Covid Day House and Rotation Program, where families spent time together all day long in the same space, faith congregations host in their buildings overnight, and where staff and volunteers partner with families in one big family life. Currently this looks different, families are sheltered in place, and meetings with staff take place via video and phone calls.
Thoughts from a volunteer (day house office help, host week coordinator, errand runner, and all around do-whatever-needs-to-be-done volunteer):
- Sincerity is the key to feeling welcome (it has always been the guest families who have made ME feel welcome).
- God is always working. I need to ask for grace to see it.
- Who knew a Sunday school room could be made to look so cozy and inviting?
- The Day House: WOW…what a practice in patience for everyone. I could benefit from some time spent living in such tight community.
- I talk too much. Need to listen more.
- Case Managers and Staff of Family Promise are “on rotation” 365 days a year!
- When giving donations, give the best, not the junk.
- One foot and then the other. Baby steps are big steps.
- I cannot be overwhelmed by how much need there is… just love the face in front of me.
- You think it’s hard to keep your own fridge clean; imagine one fridge for 8 families!
- The more humans I meet in the world, the more in awe and wonder I am of God’s created people.
- Don’t discount the simple task of answering phones or vacuuming floors.
- Graduations are the best!
- It’s the people in our lives… always the people that make us whole.
- There is more to poverty than meets the eye.
- There are SO many incredible moving parts to making Family Promise work.
- The faith community in Wichita is generous and creative.
- Volunteering with Family Promise makes my heart sing.
What a great list! THANK YOU Amy, and to so many volunteers, who fill in the gaps and make this program truly community-based.
Family Promise of Greater Wichita unites hearts and hands to provide compassionate hospitality and empower homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
