I first heard about Dorothy Day from my friend Eric. At the time, we were both volunteering with a nonprofit to host non-denominational worship services at Glacier National Park. Eric was a hitchhiking, train-jumping, crusty punk kid with a lot of tattoos and even more stories. He was a terrific storyteller
Each summer growing up, I volunteered to plant and harvest produce at a community garden. The harvested goods were then donated to local food pantries. Since then, I’ve had a keen interest in gardening and locally grown foods. One of the best ways to learn more about locally grown foods
My dream of becoming a human GPS ended suddenly and tragically today and it’s nothing short of a miracle that I made it to and from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore given the number of wrong turns that occurred. Enough of that. After apologizing for my tardiness, I met Amy
Another up and at ‘em day with Volunteer Odyssey! By 7:30 am, I found myself getting a crash course in Soup Kitchen 101 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Soup Kitchen by the kitchen manager, Ron, his assistant, Martin, and a volunteer, Lynn. Lynn is a champion sandwich maker. This experience
As a recent Memphis transplant and life-long volunteer, I figured I’d better start getting acquainted with my new city. I signed up for a Volunteer Odyssey week in hopes of meeting new people, discovering different volunteer opportunities, and, with any luck, learning a few city streets. My ability to navigate
Have you ever wondered if there were any special care facilities in Memphis for adults with disabilities? Furthermore, if they provided good-quality care with passionate employees and a giving spirit? I have. On Day 2 of my Volunteer Odyssey I found the answer. SRVS “the family answer for disabilities” (their
Excitement and confusion started day 1 of my Volunteer Odyssey. I was thrilled to be able to use (improve) my Spanish with people who could really use my help. I got to attend an orientation with another volunteer conducted by Jennifer Earhart, the Director of Organizational Effectiveness. After the presentation
What a week! I met great people, got involved with great organizations, and felt like I made a real difference. Even though my seven-day Volunteer Odyssey is over, I am not letting it end there. I began the process of becoming a Le Bonheur volunteer and hope to attend
Today I participated in a unique volunteering opportunity. I joined Sarah Petschonek, the founder of Volunteer Odyssey, along with several others at Habit for Humanity of Greater Memphis. Volunteer Odyssey organizes a group of volunteers for a fun, monthly function, called VolunCheers. This group got momentum last December as
The Dorothy Day House The Dorothy Day House is a home that supports and provides a safe space for homeless families. This facility is the only place in Memphis that accepts entire families without separating the children and parents. The house can take up to three families at