City House Volunteer Survey
Dear friends,
We are so blessed to have such dedicated and soulful volunteers who provide spiritual companionship to persons who find themselves on the margins of society. It is such a gift to City House and to persons on the margins to have them as part of our community.
Recently, we conducted a survey of those volunteers and asked them to reflect upon their experience. Here are some quotes to some key questions that were asked. 27 current, past, and prospective volunteers responded.
What about volunteering with City House is life giving:
The stories! The opportunity to listen to people I would not otherwise meet. The challenge I have each week of quelling my fear and anxiety about meeting strangers. Intimacy with another person. It is a time of goodness.
It often seems as I leave the prison that our session was mutual. I have much to ponder as I think about the starkness and confinement of the prison and the freedom and presence of God in our conversations. Many inner and outer contrasts. I find I care very much about the woman I see – it’s a mutual friendship.
The depth of prayer and honesty in the group. It is one of the most life giving things that I’m a part of. The care that the men have for each other during that time is so life giving to me.
Remaining present to personal suffering without trying to fix things is spiritual work and humbling. Experiencing pain among the marginalized. Remaining vulnerable in ambiguous situations. Keeping my heart open.
These women inspire me in their determination (some, not all), generosity, hopefulness, admission of wrongdoing. Simply creating space that allows them to speak their truth to themselves and each other is a beautiful thing to be part of.
My time with City House as been one of the most deepening experiences. Learning to just be with the poor, listening and loving them. Bringing hope and love of our God. Letting God work first with me.
What about volunteering wiht City House is life draining?
Knowing that it is hard to break through life-long habits and behavior and that my presence may not make much difference for many of them.
Struggles with boundaries – i.e. how much to get involved in someone’s life, tendency toward care taking. Recognizing the reality of helplessness, even hopelessness in other’s lives touches into fears about my own.
Sometimes I forget and wnat to take care of the participant when all I need to do is listen and be supportive in words and prayers. Listening to the obstacles (government) they have to literally push thru at times gets frustrating.
I have been unable to figure out how to move beyond my own fear and pain surrounding this population and so have not pursued additional volunteer work with City House, but I still hold some kind of interest and plan to keep holding it till I know what to do next.
Would you recommend City House volunteeing to others?
Yes. It is a joy to work with folks on the margins who can teach we middle class folks so much about trust, perseverance, and overcoming adversity.
I have, Iwould and I do. Volunteering with City House moves me out of my comfort zone to share the gift I have of listening, being with, accepting, loving another. The barriers of race, gender, life style, accents, life experience, religious denomination, wealth, employment (or lack thereof) fall away.
I would and have recommended City House volunteering to experienced spiritual companions. It’s a place to enlarge our view of God and God’s love and look inwardly with a new perspective. One can grow in gratefulness and compassion and learn to see God in all people.
Yes, there are few opportunities to connect with people on the margins of society through relationships of dignity and respect.
I love the programs and enrichment opportunities City House offers to volunteers. I also love how they offer support and then encourage us to follow Spirit. I believe they do everything possible to make our work an enriching life experience.
Can you see why City House staff finds it so rewarding to work with this group of people as volunteers. It is so rewarding!!
