Volunteers Adapt to Changes at WLP
Typically, the shelter is bustling with volunteers.
In the Welcome Center, they’re greeting guests and popping into the toiletry closet to grab shampoo and deodorant. The kitchen crew is jamming out to 80’s rock: chopping vegetables, plating healthy meals, and serving guests at their seats. Upstairs, the Resource Center team is buzzing about, assisting guests on the computer, faxing documents, and sorting mail with care.
There are well over 200 people who regularly donate their time to WLP, and some have been working weekly shifts for decades. To put it simply, WLP relies on an incredibly determined team of volunteers to hold down the fort so our staff can provide high-quality, individualized care to guests.
However, as with almost every facet of our lives, things have looked a little different since March.
Despite the initial shuffle of schedules, assignments, and an expansion of our staff, WLP was able to continue providing our core services throughout the early months of the pandemic. Our dedicated volunteers supported the organization from home, sending words of encouragement and amazing our team with their creative, responsive, and continuous support. Whether they were sewing piles of face masks for guests, delivering Backdoor Meals across the city to partner organizations, or increasing their monetary and in-kind support, volunteers have been embracing change at an essential time for WLP.
We’d like to use part of this month’s newsletter to highlight and thank just a few of them:
Nancy Schieffelin
Nancy Schieffelin has been volunteering at WLP since 1989. A talented photographer, Nancy began documenting the pandemic’s effect on the community in March. She visited our team, capturing portraits of guests and staff, and chronicling the changes we were making to protect our community. Nancy has continued to help us adapt – sewing face masks for guests and, most recently, by delivering Backdoor Meals to our community partners in need.
Nancy recently reflected on WLP’s humble beginnings:
“I actually started volunteering at WLP in 1989 well before the kitchen and dinning room remodeling. There were only five or six employees, total, including the director. Some of the guests were recruited to volunteer, but the bulk of the work was done by volunteers. The work included taking down the tables, sweeping and washing the floors (that was one of my favorite jobs) and cleaning the bathrooms (not a favorite job) along with all the food prep, serving, socializing with the guests (is and was my favorite part of being at WLP) and cleanup. If I remember correctly, WLP served, on average, about 75-100 guests. Seconds were served, if there was enough left over for everyone who wanted it. Used clothes and toiletries were available for the guests and, initially, smoking was allowed and spare cigarettes were sometimes given out individually.”
Madison Litwin
Madison is a member of our WLP Young Professionals committee. While she has traditionally supported the group by co-hosting networking events and running Saturday BINGO for the guests, she and the entire committee have shifted to support WLP’s changing needs. Madison has written personalized notes, including words of encouragement for guests and thank you letters for donors. She has also helped pivot several YP events to virtual, like our Fall Trivia Night and, most recently, the Spaghetti Dinner Pre-Party!
Gil and Janet Slovin
The Slovins have been volunteering together for years – on the Wednesday kitchen crew, they’ve become experts at slicing and dicing. Staying safe at home, it might be awhile before they are able to come back to the shelter, but that hasn’t stopped them from supporting our team. Just last week, the Slovins stopped by the shelter to greet the staff and give words of encouragement.
Janice Hayes-Cha
Pre-pandemic, Janice was on the Friday kitchen team. Since March, Janice has been non-stop in her efforts to support our guests and staff. As a member of the Spaghetti Dinner committee, Janice helped successfully pivot our annual fundraiser from a 400+ in-person dinner to a completely virtual, live-streamed event. A professional artist, she also contributed several pieces to our silent auction, helping make it a huge success.
When WLP launched its Backdoor Meals program this summer, Janice stepped up, delivering meals weekly throughout the city to families and partners in need. Recently, she has rejoined the kitchen, helping our staff prep 200+ meals daily for our guests at 67 Newbury Street and an additional 1,000+ weekly for our Backdoor Meals program.
These are just some of the many amazing volunteer stories we are able to share. We are so grateful for all of our supporters: volunteers, donors, and community partners alike! Your dedication to our guests has helped us navigate the challenges of 2020 and is paving the way for a brighter, healthier, and happier 2021 for hundreds of women who come to WLP for assistance.
If you are interested in getting involved, view our updated Volunteer page via the button below or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Sophia, to learn more. Stay tuned to our social media pages to hear about upcoming opportunities to spread cheer and love through the holidays.
From Team WLP, we wish you all a safe holiday season and happy new year.