Volunteer News
Volunteer Groups Make a Difference at Doorways
When large groups of volunteers come to help out at Doorways for Women and Families their impact is immediately visible and deeply appreciated. On April 20, 2010 eight employees from Segue Technologies, Inc spent the afternoon spreading fresh mulch at the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home. The mulch will inhibit weed growth, protect the plants during the hot summer months and will ultimately help us cut down on water usage. But perhaps even more importantly, the mulching project made our shelter a more beautiful and welcoming home for the families who live there. Thank you Segue Tech!
Approximately thirty Keller Williams Realty agents volunteered at Doorways on Red Day (May 13, 2010). While some volunteers stained the fence at the Family Home, other volunteers conducted three separate but simultaneous grocery store drives for Doorways. Due to the volunteers’ efforts, the newly stained fence looks great and is now protected from the elements. In addition, the grocery store drives (held at a Giant, a Safeway and a Whole Foods store) brought in much needed supplies including almost 400 rolls of paper towels and over 700 rolls of toilet paper! Thank you Keller Williams!
Volunteers from Deloitte made a big impact at Doorways on Deloitte’s annual Impact Day (June 11, 2010). Thirty-three volunteers spent the day deep cleaning the Family Home, trimming bushes and painting at the Safehouse and conducting a grocery store drive at a Giant. No task was too big or too small for the Deloitte team—volunteers disinfected the children’s toy room, washed windows, weather-sealed the foundation and asked shoppers for donations. By the end of the day, the Family Home sparkled, the Safehouse looked refreshed and the shelves of our storage room had been restocked. Thank you Deloitte!
Volunteers’ impact on staff and clients is profound. To all of our Doorways volunteers, thank you!
Volunteers of the Month
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September Volunteer of the Month: Mo Alangurli, Volunteer Interpreter
Mo Alangurli volunteers with Doorways HomeStart Program as an Arabic-English Interpreter. He provides both in-person and telephonic interpretation at meetings between Doorways staff and clients. He is a very skilled interpreter and maintains the highest professional standards. Despite his long commute from Maryland, Mo always makes a special effort to be available when the staff needs him. His service is critical to our mission as it allows staff to communicate with clients more efficiently and effectively. Thank you, Mo, for helping us help our clients!
August Volunteer of the Month: Carolyn Clark, Shelter Volunteer
Carolyn Clark has been volunteering with Doorways for over a year, assisting staff and clients whenever they most need it. Shelter staff has often called her with last minute requests for assistance and more often than not she finds the time to help out (including during the blizzards of 2009/2010!) When volunteering, Carolyn handles each situation and each client with attentive care and kindness. Additionally, she often helps clients with their medical concerns and assists in getting their needs met during medically vulnerable times. Thank you, Carolyn, for your exemplary volunteer spirit!
July Volunteer of the Month: Jeanne Veraska, Education and Outreach Volunteer
A long-time Doorways volunteer, Jeanne Veraska currently leads a crisis intervention class for new Doorways’ volunteers. She calms the fears of rookie volunteers by ensuring that they have the skills and confidence they need to respond to callers in crisis. Volunteers often cite Jeanne’s training and positive attitude as key factors in giving them the confidence to answer their first hotline call. Thank you, Jeanne, for making certain that our new volunteers are well-prepared and comfortable in their new roles as Safehouse volunteers.
Find out more about individual volunteer opportunities at Doorways!
Dinner with Friends
Arlington Kiwanis at Dinner with Friends
Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteer groups who have provided the meals for our monthly Dinner with Friends program. These dinners allow all of Doorways families to share their experiences, re-connect with past friends and enjoy each other’s company with a delicious meal and educational program. THANK YOU to the following groups who have assisted this year:
- August 2010: Arlington Kiwanis
- July 2010: Alcova Heights
- June 2010: Alcova Heights
Find out more about group volunteering opportunites at Doorways.
Volunteer Training
Thank you and congratulations to our most recent graduates of Doorways volunteer and intern training program! These volunteers have dedicated 20-32 hours of their time to training so that they can provide services to families living at the Family Home and Safehouse!
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Summer 2010 Training Class Graduates
Joana Bennet, Lauren Boston, Lucy Daumen (staff), Jennifer Entwistle (staff), Michelle Nakagawa, Jenni Ashley, Mattie Cohan, Kristin Lambert, Vanessa Buhrman (not pictured). Congratulations!
