Harbor House volunteer shares why she gives her time by Natalie Leonard, Marketing & Communications Intern A common tie between the successes of all Catholic Charities ministries lies in the efforts of volunteers. At Harbor House, these individuals work with the staff to help provide a safe and supportive place for survivors of domestic violence. Volunteers who answer the hotline take part in a 40hour training program to prepare them to take crisis calls and help with the needs of clients. One familiar face to Harbor House staff and clients is Jane Schwartz, a weekly volunteer. For the past 12 years, Jane has been giving of her time at Harbor House, helping out wherever there is a need. Whether she’s answering crisis calls, taking residents to appointments or picking up donations, Jane can be found at Harbor House for two and onehalf hours every week.
Although Harbor House shelters those who are experiencing some of the darker moments of their lives, love and warmth abound within the walls of the shelter. Some of Jane’s memories from volunteering include hearing laughter through a door as a staff member is in a meeting with a survivor, and seeing sticky ice cream smiles on children’s faces on hot August afternoons. Stories of clients’ journeys of perseverance to prosperity are many, and Jane reflects on a memory of one particular client with whom she made a connection.
and that it always made her day to see the woman following through with her goals. When the woman was able to leave Harbor House, Jane’s church helped deliver furniture and household goods to her. Jane says that it was “gratifying” to see the process from beginning to end – to see the client make a new start and to finally see some smiles on her face. “There were seven lives positively affected by Catholic Charities Harbor House that day!” Jane says. “This is what keeps you coming back. You have the chance to be part of Catholic Charities’ commitment to building strong families. I can’t think of anything more important.”
“I helped a woman complete her paperwork upon entry. She was beautiful, but with the haunted, sad and dazed look that is familiar with domestic violence,” Jane recalls. “She was quiet, which was surprising because she had six children with her, and they were a lively bunch!”
Jane says that her connection with “The staff there deal with a lot of the woman made her quietly check emotional and physical pain, but are on her each time she volunteered, always supportive of clients and each other,” Jane says. “They never give up; if I can do any little thing to make their day “They never give up; if I can do any go a bit easier, I am so happy little thing to make their day go a bit to do so.”
easier, I am so happy to do so.”
Oltjenbruns matches volunteers, ministries by Lara Salgado, Marketing & Communications Intern Tiffany Oltjenbruns is Catholic Charities’ new volunteer and communications coordinator. The position entails receiving and processing volunteer applications, placing the volunteers according to their interests and the needs of the ministries, and more. Tiffany, although new to the Catholic Charities family, has plenty of volunteer experience. She has a long history of personally volunteering, and also has been a volunteer coordinator at Meals on Wheels and Via Christi Hospital.
Tiffany understands the importance of a volunteer and wants to insure a great experience for them. “I’ve really enjoyed being here… Everybody has a heart to help others.”
Learn more about volunteering Call Tiffany at (316) 264-8344, ext. 1261 or email her at volunteer@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org.
