Volunteers at DOORWAYS
As we approach National Volunteer Month coming up in April we wanted to take some time to talk about some of our current volunteer activities and some future activities that are being planned.
The Jefferson Avenue Campus has been lucky enough this month to have a volunteer, Joel, through the United Way Volunteer Program who chose to take time off from his regular job and spent the week helping to spruce up the campus, doing paint touchups, cleaning windows, and helping with some trash cleanup around the Mama/Kaya property.
On February 29th, Leap Day, Cooper House was visited by Phoebe, a student from Crossroads College Prep School’s Fifth Day Program. Phoebe is a second-generation volunteer for DOORWAYS, as her mother also volunteered with DOORWAYS. During her community service time, Phoebe shared with the residents a fun “frogtastic” origami activity that had them jumping with excitement. DOORWAYS is lucky to be able to engage with various student volunteers throughout the year, not only does this time satisfy their own educational needs and help to create community involvement, but generates positive energy for the staff and residents they encounter during their time volunteering.
The Youth Group from the First United Methodist Church of Durant-Caddo in Oklahoma was in St. Louis this past weekend volunteering at various places in the area and they spent part of their time at DOORWAYS. During their two-evening visit to Cooper House, members of the group and their chaperones played games with residents that included UNO and Connect Four, singing, and helping to construct and decorate Easter cards.
Individual and group volunteers, corporate groups, and faith groups who spend their time volunteering with DOORWAYS and give back to their community create a sense of self-purpose and generate a positive impact for both themselves and those they interact with.
COMING UP:
The Friends In Deed group is preparing for their annual spring clean-up and planting in the Giudici-Tinlin/St. Louis AIDS Memorial Garden at Cooper House on Saturday, April 13. During their clean-up last year they added two new Japanese Maples and several perennials to help create a tranquil and welcoming space for residents of Cooper House and guests. (https://www.facebook.com/events/378337791639506?ref=newsfeed)
For information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Jerry Dickneite: jdickneite@doorwayshousing.org.
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