I am so fortunate to have gotten to participate in Volunteer Odyssey so quickly after moving to Memphis. It was such a great introduction to all the good work being done in this community and to the many people who make it all happen. At each volunteer site the theme
Visiting a family at the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality (DDHH) was a relaxing way to end an odyssey that was full of adventure. Walking into the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality on a Sunday evening is immediately calming. The smell of coffee was wafting through the house when Sister
Today’s volunteer experience was particularly difficult for me. I helped man a booth at the Cooper-Young Farmer’s Market where vendors were selling “The Bridge” – a newspaper written by and/or about the homeless of Memphis. Its intention is to bridge the gap between those without shelter with those who
SRVS (pronounced serves) is an amazing organization dedicated to the development, learning and growth of adults with disabilities. Volunteering today at SRVS’ learning center affirmed two things for me: 1) I would love to study some sort of therapy one day that helps people discover the many things they are
What a fun morning! Today I got to speak Spanish and be a part of putting smiles on faces. For me that’s a formula for an excellent volunteer opportunity. The moment I arrived to The Ascension Church where Catholic Charities was hosting a mobile food pantry for Hispanic families, I
38126 – I can’t say I have ever been to this area in Memphis until today. I learned today that this zip code was ranked the third poorest area in the entire nation in 1999. The symptoms that often accompany impoverished neighborhoods are still present today: large unemployment, crime, low graduation
Today I had the privilege of volunteering at both of the Alzheimer’s Day Services (ADS) of Memphis day centers doing pet therapy with one of my dogs! Upon arrival at their Dorothy’s Place day center, I was greeted by Development Director, Jon Burchfield. Jon and the whole ADS staff all
Today was an intense start of my odyssey. I went to the Hospitality Hub, a place where those without shelter can come to receive assistance. What I learned is how little I know about homelessness. When I thought of a homeless person, the image of a man with a long
I have always enjoyed meeting people from different walks of life and using my abilities to serve those who have been marginalized and/or are struggling through the many different aspects of abject poverty. I was born and raised in Germantown, but it has been ten years since I have lived
