National Volunteer Week: The Hands and Feet of Love

WRITTEN BY gabriella Rosco, volunteer manager

I was standing in the kitchen at the Residential house talking with one of our residents who had recently given birth. She began sharing with me that she was still in quite a bit of pain, and that driving was extremely difficult. She then went on to share that, even though this was not her first child, she had never before driven with an infant in the car. The whole experience was challenging for several reasons. I asked her if she would feel comfortable with trusted Elizabeth House volunteers providing transportation and accompanying her to a series of doctors appointments scheduled for the coming weeks.

She took a beat to consider the offer, and then, a bit guarded, said “yes”. I put out the request, and within less than a day had beautiful responses from our volunteer network. Different people were available on different days, and collectively we began meeting this need for our mama.  

As the Volunteer Manager with Elizabeth House, I experience countless moments where our incredible volunteers provide tangible, emotional, and spiritual support for our women and our children. In big ways- and some that may seem small- our community surrounds women who are hurting or struggling and says “You are not alone”. I believe this is what it means to be the hands and feet of LOVE extended in the world.

I am honored to be a part of this work with Elizabeth House and continue to develop a network of volunteers who actively support in a number of needed ways. We each have different gifts and talents, and together they are woven into a tapestry of love and care for those who often get pushed to the margins.

Volunteering with Elizabeth House can take many different forms. If you are interested in finding out more, please go here to fill out an application or contact Gabriella, Volunteer Manager, at volunteer@elizabethhouse.net.