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Dan's
Volunteer Story (58 year old male)
People ask me why I volunteer at Care Corps?
First of all, God has touched my heart in a real way,
and because He has blessed me, I feel a calling to help
other people feel that they have been blessed too. I
know a lot of the people coming to Care Corps probably
do not feel blessed. But hopefully looking back they
will be a changed person. I have seen some changed
people, and it is neat to see!!
Like the young lady I checked into a room who was
pretty depressed. All I did was give her a word of
encouragement, and told her that things CAN and WILL get
better. I then gave her a hug, and prayed for her. The
next day she went looking for a job and a place to stay
that would take herself, her daughter and her dogs. That
ALL happened in one day!!!
She came back the next month and told me all that
happened in detail and it truly was a miracle. She said
I was the reason why it happened, but all I can say is
God is good!! To see people's lives turned
around, is an AWESOME experience for me.
Dan
Sandy
spends the Holidays volunteering at Care Corps (57 year
old female)
Spending Christmas day at Care Corps has become a
yearly tradition that I have come to look forward to
each year. This year will be my 4th Christmas
spent volunteering at the shelter and I could not ask
for a more humbling and joyful experience than what I
experience each Christmas at the shelter. At first
I thought it would be a one time thing to help out. I
know volunteers are hard to come by during the holidays,
but now I am hooked. Getting to see the childrens
faces light up when they see all the presents under the
tree and then having them realize that some of the
presents are actually for them is amazing. Being a part
of an organization that provides a place for people to
turn to in the time of need brings me such a sense of
pride. Not only on Christmas day, but everyday,
Care Corps goals is too support and educate people so
they can obtain employment, housing, and have their
medical needs met every day of the year. During
the holiday season you get a real sense of the holiday
spirit, whether it is helping put the Christmas meal
together or sitting with the children as they tell you
all the cool things Santa brought for them. It is a
feeling that warms your heart. Over the four years
I have been volunteering I have seen and heard it all.
But one of the things I remember most is what happened
last year on Christmas morning. After opening gifts last
year, one of the little girls gave me a big hug and told
me thank you for making this Christmas the best ever.
Later, I had a couple of parents tell me that they love
to see their children on Christmas, but also that having
a safe place to be meant more to them even than the
presents. I felt proud that Care Corps was there for
these families and that I could help bring a smile to
the little girls face. At the same time, I was so
humbled that this little girls best Christmas was at
a homeless shelter. Every year I take a good look
at my life and everything I have to be thankful for and
one of my biggest blessings is the staff, clients, and
other volunteers at Care Corps. I have shared so many
memories with them over the years and look forward to
the New Year and all the wonderful blessings it will
bring. We are fortunate to be part of a community that
cares so much about people and I am proud to be a part
of that!
Terri
gives back after Care Corps helped change her life (50
year old female)
My name is Terri. I grew up about 30 miles from
Fremont in Herman. I struggled all through school and
even as a wife and mother. I never new exactly what was
going on, I just knew something didnt feel right
inside. I had a break down at one point that I thought
was exhaustion. However, after seeing my Dr., I found
out I was suffering from severe depression. For the next
several years I was in and out of hospitals. I had lost
my husband who was also raising our children. I was
barely surviving.
However, on February 15, 2000 with the help of a
special person, I moved into Care Corps. There I
was given a new start. I had always thought of
myself as a giving person. After moving to Care Corps I
realized I had nothing left to give, in fact I found
myself flat-out needy. I never understood what the
power of community could do. While at Care Corps I
started going to church. I found out what a
community was. A Community is people in the body
of Christ working like as a family to support each
other. Holding and caring for each other, carrying
each others burden, and creatively solving problems and
putting resources together. Opening doors of hope,
fighting a cause on your behalf, finding a way when
there is no way, listening, waiting with you as long as
it takes.
I was never needier than when I went to Care Corp. I
was needy emotionally, spiritually, and financially. At
that time in my life, I had lost my family, and my
ex-husband was afraid to let me see my girls. There were
days that I had a hard time getting out of bed, but one
of the staff would come and help me put one foot in
front of the other. I went through the shelter programs
which also helped connect me to a local Church. I
began going to groups and am still involved today as a
member of that Church.
That is what I received while I lived at Care Corps.
Now I have been volunteering for several years.
Today I have a wonderful relationship with my daughters.
I have my family back. I wish I could say
everything is wonderful, its not. I still struggle with
depression and financially, but I am very blessed.
I have a whole host of friends and a church family that
love me unconditionally, which I never knew existed
before and I have an apartment, and I am going to
school full time.
Care Corps is much more than a place for people to
stay, when they have no other place. Care Corps
gives you a new start, if you are willing to take it.
Care Corps will help find a job, save money, and find a
place to live. Most of all the people there will listen
and care about you.
I know the shelter has changed my life and I know I
am not the only one. I want to Care Corps for giving me
a second chance at life. By sticking together as a
community, Care Corps will be able to give lots more
people second chances. Thank you for letting me share
this part of my life with you.
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