Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Julie Hayden, a personal shopper at the Sister Visitor Center Choice Food Pantry, shares her insights on volunteering. "What surprised me most about volunteering at Sister Visitor Center is the spirit and determination of the people we serve. Basic things I take for granted (like heat, hot water, medical care, access to healthy foods) are luxuries for many of our clients. Despite what must be very challenging circumstances, I hear ‘God is good;’ ‘thank you, Jesus;’ and ‘this place is a blessing’ every time I volunteer."

Bob Glaser assists with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for Migration and Refugee Services. He finds joy in meeting people from diverse backgrounds. "What I love about helping with the ESL program is the opportunity to meet great people from other countries/cultures. They are so committed to learning English and how they can be successful starting a new life in the U.S. My experience in volunteering is that true happiness is derived from a purpose of contributing to the benefit of others."

Marcus Bishop volunteers at the Father Jack Jones Food Pantry and emphasizes hope for those they serve. "A lot of our clients are overlooked, and visiting the food pantry gives them hope. I tell them that I’ll cook for you, talk to you, pray with you, whatever is needed to make their day better. These are my friends. I’d do anything for them."

Alvera Kegel has been serving as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman for nearly ten years because she values working with older adults and enjoys hearing their stories. She says, “I began serving as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman nearly a decade ago because I wanted to continue working with older adults, and because I enjoy hearing the oral history of the residents I meet. I also find it fulfilling to enable people to solve their own problems, and I appreciate watching their satisfaction when they do.”

Miranda Dones mentors youth through Migration and Refugee Services' "Pave the Way Youth Mentoring Program." Her experience has been rewarding: “Serving in the ‘Pave the Way Youth Mentoring Program’ has been such a humbling and wonderful experience, allowing me to share my own journey in adapting to a new culture with the girls. I can see and hear the difference in their confidence. The way these girls navigate the difficult — to me, that’s amazing. They have a drive to do more.”