Gary Fixes, Buffs, Repairs and Builds Beautiful Things At Shelter!

We are excited to feature Gary Nichols for our Volunteer Spotlight!  He is a great volunteer and has become a good friend.  His experience and wisdom is valued at shelter. I know I can count on Gary as my go-to guy if I’m ever stuck on how to approach a repair or want to take on a home improvement project at shelter! Gary has saved shelter a lot of money by sharing his experience and contacts.  Here are just a few of the countless repairs he’s helped with:  Diagnosed and repaired the oven, repaired the fence that blew over in the wind storm, built new storage area shelves, replaced lights, painted rooms, assisted in building an outdoor shelter, fixed the dryer, unclogged the washer, and of course helped refinish our now beautiful stairs at shelter. Gary has donated tools from home that make maintenance around shelter so much easier. In addition to his hard work, we love having him around! His personality and jokes keep staff smiling and he has worked his way into the hearts all those who have had the pleasure of working with him.  The photos show before and after pictures of our stair project that we have finally finished!   -Joseph Sigala, Shelter Facilities Coordinator

New Beginnings:  What do you do as a volunteer at New Beginnings?  What does a typical shift look like?

Gary: In short, fix things that are broken or are in need of maintenance. There really is no typical shift. Nearly every one is different unless we are working on an extended maintenance project.

New Beginnings: What’s your favorite part about volunteering at shelter?

Gary: I would have to say that my favorite part of volunteering at the shelter is being able to know and interact with the staff. People who have to deal with the realities of domestic violence day after day, are among the most understanding, kind and caring one could meet. They are a pleasure to know and work with.

New Beginnings: Why is Domestic Violence an important issue to you?

Gary: Domestic Violence is not something that I have had to live with personally, but I have known some who did. If for the victims (especially the children), I can help make their temporary living conditions just a little better, then I want to help do what I can.

New Beginnings: What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

Gary: Outside of volunteering at New Beginnings, I am a volunteer tutor for Catholic Community Services' Youth Tutoring Program. I mainly tutor high school students in math subjects along with some science subjects.  I enjoy studying math and science and enjoy passing along whatever I can to the kids. It is gratifying to see students that I have tutored, sometimes starting in middle school, graduate from high school and go on to college.

New Beginnings:  Anything else you would like to share or tell new volunteers?

Gary: For new volunteers I would say that for just about any skills you might have, New Beginnings will be able to utilize them. And you can pick whatever hours and days that fit your schedule to volunteer.

Featuring Our Wonderful Volunteer, Christina Mason!

 

Christina is our saving grace at Shelter!  During Monday night house meetings she provides childcare and/or answers the crisis line when staff are busy facilitating.  And she is a problem solver! When she notices a gap in services she is determined to find a solution. She is always on the phone with other agencies and providers asking questions about their services so that we can add that information to our resource lists for participants. She is warm, thoughtful, and kind – so she is a delight to work with for

participants and staff alike.

 



What do you do as a volunteer at New Beginnings?  What does a typical shift look like?

I’m a Women’s Advocate Assistant at the shelter on Monday evenings. I do childcare so moms can attend the weekly house meeting, answer Helpline calls, take residents to the clothing closet and food pantry and support residents by providing information about community resources and a listening ear.

How have you been challenged within your position?

It is difficult to have to turn away Helpline callers in need of confidential DV shelter on nights when the shelter is at capacity. For me, this experience has really driven home the need for more DV services and shelter beds in our community. It makes me realize what a vital and lifesaving service New Beginnings provides.   

How did you come to want to volunteer for New Beginnings?

I have worked in social services for many years and knew that many clients I worked with had been touched by domestic violence. Yet I had very little understanding of intimate partner violence – the resources available, ways to help support survivors, etc. I was hoping this experience would make me a more knowledgeable and skilled social worker in terms of recognizing and responding to DV.   

What do you know now about domestic violence that you didn’t know when you first started volunteering?

I’ve gained a more nuanced appreciation for just how deeply it can impact every aspect of a survivor’s life and their children’s lives – being able to maintain employment, to stay connected with friends and family who the abuser knows, the kids’ ability to go to school. Being at the shelter, it is also truly apparent there is no one “typical” survivor profile, that domestic violence impacts people regardless of age, education level, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health, and socioeconomic status. I’ve met survivors from so many different backgrounds.          

Is there a quote or sentence that helps guide you in life?

I really like how the Dalai Lama stresses the importance of kindness above all else, “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”     

Anything else you’d like to share with other volunteers? 

Initially, I did not realize the incredible flexibility in possible volunteer shifts and times. Since the shelter is a 24/7 facility, it can accommodate most schedules. I’ve found volunteering in the evenings to sometimes have a light-hearted and fun side I did not expect – hanging out with the residents and their kids as they are donning PJs, checking out movies from the video library, telling stories and unwinding from the day.