Volunteers are the heartbeat of Facing Homelessness, and there is nothing that makes us happier than to say THANK YOU during Volunteer Appreciation month!
We wanted to share a few specific messages to show how much we value your support and participation in our programs everyday, every week, every month, and every year.
Each volunteer plays a profound role within our community. We hope these messages allow you to reflect on just how important you as individuals are within our organization, in our lives and in taking action to address homelessness and help to create the world we want to live in.
If you are an aspiring volunteer you can learn more about our programs on the "Get Involved Page" of our website (https://facinghomelessness.org/get-involved). We look forward to working along side you!
WINDOW OF KINDNESS VOLUNTEERS: THANK YOU!
It has filled us with joy to witness how the Window of Kindness has blossomed this past year! The physical space is more accessible and expansive and we’re able to provide a greater range of items for our visitors thanks to this community. Additionally, the relationships that our visitors and volunteers have built with one another have deepened and strengthened so much over the past twelve months. As our cadre of volunteers has grown, so too has the network of community care, learning, and connection that binds this program together.
None of this would have been possible without each of YOU, whether you have been volunteering with us for years, months, or just a couple of shifts. It genuinely makes our days to have conversations with you all and watch you engage so kindly and generously with our Window of Kindness visitors. With all of our hearts and gratitude - thank you for showing up as your whole and authentic selves for our visitors. Thank you for being present for the whole spectrum of human experience that is the Window: the joy, sorrow, connection, hope, pain, frustration, and laughter. We learn so much from and with you.
BLOCK COMPANIONS: THANK YOU!
What is community? In the past year, one answer to that question has been the commitment and relationship building that our Companionship Program has seen. Our Volunteers and Residents who participate in the companionship program took a risk to lean in and get to know someone who, due to differing life experiences and paths, they might never have met otherwise. While we ask that everyone commit for a year, most of our original volunteers have been with us for two years and we have welcomed newer volunteers as the project has grown.
Companions and Residents steadfastly show up weekly or monthly to share walks, stories, pie, laughter and learning together. The authenticity, care, and intention each person brings to the program is invaluable. Community Companion Participants embody what it means to center relationships grounded in mutuality and sustainable community care just by showing up and being present for one another. The BLOCK Project is so much stronger for the community ties that Companions have created and we want to shout THANK YOU from the rooftops to all who are involved. This program has blossomed into what it is because of YOU.
CONSTRUCTION and BLOCK SHOP VOLUNTEERS: THANK YOU!
To our amazing crew of nearly 1,000 volunteers, thank you for fueling the mission and making community building so real!
Over the history of the BLOCK project, we've accumulated well over 10,000 volunteer hours in building and landscaping BLOCK homes. Your efforts have turned a compelling idea to a proven solution, and are a living expression of community taking action and working together.
Your dedication and commitment inspire us every day to charge forward in ending homelessness for one person, one BLOCK home and neighborhood at a time.
Please stay tuned for more landscaping and building opportunities over the next month or so at our 13th BLOCK home. Later this year, we'll be building homes in Greenwood and Bitter Lake.
With Gratitude,
The Facing Homelessness Team
Karina, Kristina, Angie, Phoebe, Berns, Jen, Jennifer, Kevin and Lisa
A QUIET THOUGHT - If you’re moved by the goodness of this community, please visit http://www.facinghomelessness.org/
and click on the ‘donate’ button and consider a gift that is meaningful to you--even a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. Thank you!
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