Volunteer Spotlight
Teresa Smedley: 'It's the best part of my week'
Having seen the impact of homelessness in her own family,
Teresa Smedley looks to help others at the senior safe house
Teresa Smedley didn’t come to volunteer for Volunteers of America by one of the obvious routes. She didn’t learn about us from a TV news report or promo for Operation Backpack, a friend didn’t invite her to the annual Shelter from the Storm Breakfast, nor did she read about one of our shelter program in the local newspaper.
Her brother told her about us.
Having a family member introduce the organization to a prospective volunteer wouldn’t be unusual, save for the fact Smedley’s brother, Alonzo, wasn’t a staff member, volunteer or donor himself, but a client who had found haven at a Volunteers of America shelter after becoming homeless.
After observing the care and support he was receiving as he transitioned into the Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program, Smedley says she became a fan, and wanted to support our mission to “reach and uplift all people.”
“I wanted to do something,” said Smedley, who was also experiencing economic hardships after the loss of a job and the short-sale of her home. “I didn’t want to just sit around – I wanted to give back.”
Following a January orientation session, Smedley decided to focus her volunteer efforts at the Sacramento Senior Safe House. “I was really impressed with the safe house,” she said. “I had never seen anything like that.”
Now a regular Friday fixture at the shelter for abused and neglected seniors, Smedley spends her six hours a week at the home cooking, cleaning and – most importantly – listening to the elderly men and women who are there due to abuse and neglect.
“It’s the best part of my week,” says Smedley. “I enjoy talking with the guests there – they just want someone to talk to.”
To learn how you can volunteer at the Sacramento Senior Safe House, or at one of our other program sites, please see our Volunteer page.