April is National Volunteer Month, and at The Bridge for Youth we know our work can’t be done without the gift of time from our awesome volunteers. In fact, our commUNITY gave over 1,200 hours of their time in 2024 alone!
“Volunteering at The Bridge has given me the opportunity to be around young people who are experiencing homelessness, and the amazing people on the front line supporting them,” shared Kathy (pictured below), one of our Front Desk Greeters.
For Kathy, her 2 and a half years of volunteering with us has shown her the complexities of youth homelessness.
“The challenge of youth homelessness is bigger and more complex than I ever imagined,” she reflected. “There is no single, simple cause and no easy solution, just thousands of youths and families struggling to find the support they need. But I also have learned that there are many, many good people in communities and neighborhoods who are working to help.”
“I live in the neighborhood and wanted to do something in retirement that would help my community and the youth in it,” added Helen (pictured below), another one of our Front Desk Greeter volunteers with 3-years of experience. “I keep coming back to volunteer because The Bridge is such a positive place to be. It is welcoming, caring, and supportive. Every day is different!”
Working each day at our front desk, Kathy and Helen are often the first kind faces youth and staff see when they come to our building. They welcome others with kindness, grace, and hospitality. Their care, thoughtfulness, and warmth help foster an environment where youth feel safe, accepted and supported.
“Working the front desk, I see firsthand how staff support the young people here,” Helen shared. “I describe it as a ‘warm swarm’; multiple staff who are welcoming and supporting a youth in whatever they are needing. Providing resources and care with such warmth in their words and attitude that a youth can’t help but to feel loved and valued.”
“I will never forget the afternoon I welcomed a young new father who was visiting his partner and newborn in shelter,” Kathy said. “I remember watching the young mother coach her partner on how to hold the baby. I brought them snacks and watched on at that precious moment. I felt blessed to be part of that day.”
Kathy and Helen’s dedication to their volunteer work shines as an example of great volunteerism. Through giving their time, they help make The Bridge a brighter place.
We’d like to send special thanks to not just Kathy and Helen, but also to our other weekly volunteers Alana and Kitty who work hard to sort through in-kind donations and keep our Mobile Youth Outreach Center well stocked.
It takes a commUNITY to care for youth experiencing homelessness. We’d like to give another shout out to the many corporate volunteer groups and other individual volunteers who visit The Bridge throughout the year. Their help with yard work, setting up events during the holiday season, and more is greatly appreciated.
Are you looking for a way to give back? Is your employer looking for a way to engage with the community? We invite you to volunteer with us at The Bridge for Youth. Email [email protected] to learn more.
