“I feel like there’s always a little bit more you can give. I think everyone has something that they’re passionate about. There’s so many nonprofits who need mockups of different things, or someone to volunteer at an event. I think it’s just finding that thing that drives you. I always tell folks to just go to a summer camp, go to an after-school program, go be a referee for a local youth team, and nine times out of ten, you’ll probably want to come back.

I haven’t met a person that has volunteered that completely hated it. I hope I don’t run into someone like that. For most people it’s eye-opening, they say, ‘Wow, this many people are coming day after day after day?’ And it’s realizing that the people they’re helping are already doing everything they can. They’re working full time making like $30,000 a year, and they can’t afford basic necessities. 

Sometimes I look at my own family. I have four kids, and my wife and I have very good jobs. And we go to the grocery store and think, ‘Oh man, you know, we’re spending this much and not really getting anything.’ We’re getting the basic things, we’re shopping for things that are on sale, so if I feel that pressure, and I know that I make double or even three times as much as a lot of these people, then what does it feel like for them? It really puts things into perspective. 

So I make sure all of my kids volunteer. That’s my biggest thing, just try to give as much time as you can. Even if it’s an hour or two a week. I think it’s ultimately the little things that help.” 

Mark Childs is the Resident Services Program Manager for Homeport, whose mission is to create strong communities by developing quality, affordable homes on a cornerstone of dignity, security, and opportunity.