The organization that I am volunteering with this semester has been one of the most fulfilling and interesting experiences I’ve ever had. I have a slight background in working at places that provide services to families and individuals in need, but this opportunity has taken that to another level. The organization that I chose is a center that provides so many different types of services to families that are in need; some are families that are close to being on the streets, having trouble meeting their payments, or just generally need some support to help them keep afloat. I think that this is so important because I’ve learned through my time there that these situations could happen to anyone. Families that were solidly middle class have come to this organizations offices for assistance with paying their electrical bills that they can no longer meet or for help putting food on the table for their families. I think that this aspect of the class is the most important because so many people in our country and our world are living on the financial edge like this.

This organization is run extremely effectively and is centered on helping families in need in the city of Redlands. There are many different options that families can take in order to benefit from this organization, including: Family Support, Housing Advocacy Program, Emergency and Surplus Food Distribution, Clothing and Warm Coats, Rental and Utility Assistance, Budgeting, Basic Life Skills Training, Good Samaritan Loans, Information and Referral, Christmas Shop, Adopt-A-Family, Holiday Food Baskets, Teens Helping Teens, and Parenting Classes. These classes and services are all effective programs that both help these families and make them independent of the organization. They are focused on maintaining the dignity of each and every person that comes into the organization and they are focused on helping in any way they can.

I tend to volunteer at slightly odd hours during the daytime on Wednesdays and Fridays, so most of the people I see are the other volunteers and those who come in to drop off goods in the donation center attached to the main offices. Even though I’ve talked to plenty of administrators and coordinators at this organization, I have learned so much and been most affected through the people I volunteer alongside. Many of them are people in the community who have either received help from the organization in the past or are currently receiving aid of some kind. Their stories are so important to hear because they are almost ordinary during this recession and economic climate; many of them never thought they would need assistance of any kind and would not be where they are today without the help of the center and they are giving back to the organization through their volunteer hours. Although the program does not require its clients to volunteer in exchange for help, many people who have received assistance decide to do so on their own.