Being a volunteer at THE NEXT DOOR has been a joy - a gift that I give thanks for everyday. Spending time with these women week after week has given my entire family a place to serve and a chance to give our lives to loving others.
Women - regardless of background, race or history - have more in common with one another than whatever differences may separate us. We all struggle with similar life issues. We fall down and get back up again. Building relationships with the ladies, sharing stories, laughing, crying and praying together continues to build my faith, encourages me, and gives me hope in my own journey through life.
I love seeing the creativity that God has put into each of these women as we decorate flip-flops and picture frames, arrange flowers or write encouraging notes to one another. No matter how tough my day has been, when I leave from my time at THE NEXT DOOR, I am encouraged and hopeful for what the future holds for them as well as for myself.
Kate Tanis - Workforce Development Volunteer
During my time volunteering with TND, I have been able to see how a little encouragement goes a long way. When I come to serve each week, the women I meet have little self confidence and are impatient to get finished with this required resume class as soon as possible. By showing a little interest in their job history and getting them to talk about what skills they have, this session quickly turns into something different. Something shifts in the women's body language and demeanor and it becomes a neat opportunity for them to feel a sense of self worth and pride when discussing their past work experience and accomplishments. By the time we are done and they have a completed resume (for many of them, it is their first!), they smile and walk a little taller than when they came in to meet me. It's amazing to me that this small part I play in encouraging them and helping them create a resume often has an impact in how they will approach their job market.
It feels so rewarding to know that I have been able to lift a woman's spirit and show them a deeper picture of who they are and the value they will bring to a job, when they may have forgotten that for a period of time. Each woman I meet is so unique in the type of work she has done and the hopes she has for the future. I can honestly say that the hour or two that I spend at The Next Door on Fridays is the highlight of my whole week!
Holly Rose - Volunteer Front Desk Hostess
The reason I enjoy volunteering my time at the TND is, as simple as it may sound, the women who are the residents. The women at TND have tremendous and often difficult stories to tell. When I first started volunteering at TND I felt I had the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. And, although that is true, I feel that during my time at TND and getting to know the women and their stories, they have truly inspired me and blessed my life more than I could ever have done for them. The residents are amazing working through the struggles of life and there is nothing better than seeing them succeed!
Eric Crawford - Transportation Volunteer
During my time volunteering with TND, I have been truly excited seeing these women working hard to turn around their lives. It's such an encouragement to me, and I, in turn, try to encourage them as we drive around town securing various identification items (Tennessee I.D., MTA bus card and replacement Social Security cards). After they obtain all these cards, I am amazed to see how enthusiastic they are then to begin their search for a job and future of lifetime independence.
Teresa Beard, Special Events Volunteer
When I was first introduced to The Next Door, I wasn't sure if I would be able to find the time between work, family and life...but after the first visit, I have made time as I do not want to miss a single opportunity to be with these women. We all live our busy lives and often do not even realize what struggles women are facing all around us. The Next Door gives women the opportunity to realize their self worth and be the women God intended for them to be for themselves and their families. If I can help one woman realize that she is special and is a blessing to her family by becoming the woman she wants to be, then I've been blessed in ways that I can't begin to explain. Thank you to The Next Door for allowing me to share with these women and hopefully help them continue their new paths to becoming the strong women of faith with a bright futures who will make a difference in the lives of others.
More volunteers are needed. Consider volunteering. You will be rewarded "far and above all that you could ask or imagine."
