Volunteer Log

Name of Organization: Family Promise

Location of Organization: 1st Presbyterian Church on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton, Florida

Volunteer Opportunity: Some weeks my Church is involved in Family Promise, an organization in which homeless families stay at the church overnight (friday to saturday) and the family volunteering that night hangs out with the family and helps take care of the young kids if they have any.

Review of Volunteering: This volunteer experience is important to me because it allowed me to do something I really love, helping with the homeless. I have worked at homeless shelters, but this was so hands on and I realized that some of the happiest people in the world don't have homes, can't send their children to college, and are just plain poor.

What did you do? I played games with the kids there (basketball, card games, board games). One of the girls was only a little younger than me and didn't want to play those games so her and I just talked about boys and high school.

When did you do it? I did it a few months ago before college started, and I will do it again this Friday.

What did you learn? I knew before going into this that one of my passions in life was talking to the homeless and helping out in any way I can with them. This experience really convinced me that I should keep helping with the homeless because I am good at talking and getting really involved with people I have only just met.

What are your future plans? I play to volunteer there again this Friday the 5th with my mom. I'm not sure who the homeless family will be but I'm excited to just hang out with the families and do what I can to help.