Guest Blogs

Carpenter's Shelter mealmakers Bill Pike, Mary Parker Lamm, Alex Stevens, Courtney Bishop

In June of this year I accepted a position as Development Associate at Carpenter’s Shelter. I was lucky enough to be one of the few recent college grads to land a job within a few weeks of graduating. I moved down from Boston to DC without a job in hopes that I would make it, a bit crazy given I had less than $200 in my bank account at the time, but hey it worked out and for that I am eternally thankful. Now, I’ve done my share of volunteering in the past, as a sorority girl, community service is just another part of being a sister. I’ve cleaned up parks, walked countless miles, served at soup kitchens, sorted clothes, collected donations, the list goes on. Coming into Carpenter’s I knew my role: raise money, raise money and raise more money. I never envisioned preparing meals as part of my job description.

Holly Herman – What’s in it for Me?

For many years I was like so many of my friends, I would write checks to charities and donate clothes when clearing out my closet.  The good feeling didn’t last very long and frankly I wouldn’t remember what I did in the name of “doing good” until it was tax time.

 A friend from the gym asked me to join her in teaching an hour class at Community Lodgings, a transitional housing program.  My friend knew that I gave workshops and helped people with getting ahead in their careers.  We came up with an agenda and enough classes to come back three or four times.

 I learned more from that first class than I’ve learned in a long time.  The attendees were far more attentive than most in my career workshops.  No one was taking anything for granted.  The interaction was great with lots of questions and discussion.  The attendees gave it their all to get the most out of the hour.  I was hooked.

 I shared some examples of employee behavior that I’ve experienced over the years – really outrageous stuff.  The audience was shocked to hear the stories.  I was reminded that job skills and professional behavior are learned – and don’t automatically happen to those who have more money and higher education.

 Since this first experience, I’ve volunteered with Empowered Women International working with some on interviewing skills.

 Currently I’m committed to Doorways, helping out at their family home, another transitional housing program.  I’ve worked one on one with some of the clients, again on interviewing skills.  I’m able to fill in for staff during the day, a few days a week.  This frees them up to attend group meetings.  My duties include, answering the phone, screening the front door to let people in and filling client’s requests for food from the storage closet.

What I’ve discovered from my work with Doorways, you never know what can make a difference in people’s lives.  While I might not be having a profound impact on someone each time I show up to volunteer, I do know by simply showing up I’m making life a little easier for the staff.

Showing up is now my way of giving to others.  Start small, see what it’s like, understand it’s not always glamorous, you don’t always know the impact you might make – as my dear friend Jane says – Get out and give back – I think that says it all.

 What I realized by physically helping out, the good feeling I get is much stronger. 

 Holly Herman is an Achievement Coach working with individuals and organizations so they can achieve what they want.  She can be found at www.AchievingSkills.com

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Dianne Lorenz (center, white shirt) with the EWI women during a Donor Appreciation Day group photo

Interestingly, the whole impetus for embracing philanthropy, which included “getting out and giving back”, was a chance call from my sister in Atlanta telling me that I must tune in to the re-run of that Sunday morning’s message at Northpoint Community Church that happened to be on giving.