We Can’t Do This Without You: A Volunteer Month Invitation

A quick story, if I may: In 2008, I packed up what I could in my old Kia Spectra and moved to Massachusetts to serve in AmeriCorps VISTA—and to say it was a rocky start would be an

understatement. There were moments early on where I genuinely questioned what I had signed up for, and if I’m being honest, I almost gave up on the fight against poverty altogether. It was... a beginning, to say the least.

But somewhere close to the end of my first year of service, something shifted—and suddenly running for the hills (or back to the beaches of Florida) didn’t seem quite as appealing anymore.

What started as a challenging experience became one of the most defining chapters of my life. It shaped how I see community, equity, and impact. Strangely enough, it even played a role in my decision to pursue—and ultimately earn—a doctorate in higher education… but that’s a story for another time. What I learned—and what has stayed with me ever since—is this: service changes you.

April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize, celebrate, and elevate the individuals who give their time, energy, and compassion to strengthen our communities. At Meryl’s Safe Haven, we see every day that volunteers are not just “helping hands”—they are essential partners in our mission. Volunteerism is more than an act of service; it is an act of connection. It bridges gaps where systems fall short, brings humanity into moments of hardship, and reminds people that they are not alone.

Volunteers bring more than time—they bring perspective, care, creativity, and commitment. They expand what organizations like ours are able to do, allowing us to serve more people, more effectively, and with greater compassion. Their impact shows up in full pantry shelves, in moments of dignity restored, and in the additional capacity that allows our staff to focus on deeper, long-term support. Quite simply, we cannot do this work alone—and we were never meant to.

And yet, even as someone who once served in roles like Volunteer Coordinator, I’ll admit something honestly—I almost forgot, at one point, just how critical volunteers are to a mission. When you are deep in operations, compliance, and program delivery, it is easy to center systems and staffing structures. But volunteers are not secondary. They are foundational.

For those who are thinking about starting a nonprofit—or are in the early stages of building one—this is something worth holding onto: volunteers are just as important as staff members. They extend your reach, deepen your impact, and root your work in community in ways that no organizational chart ever could.

Let me ask you something: Why do you support this work?

This month, we want to hear from you: leave a comment on this posting, our Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn account. Why do you support MSH? What inspires you to give your

time, your voice, or your resources? What does community mean to you?

Your story matters. It not only affirms this work, but it invites others into it.

If you’ve found your way to this little corner of the internet and haven’t yet volunteered, donated, or engaged with us—consider this your invitation. One way to do so is by volunteering in our Resource Pantry. As we move into spring and summer, the need in our community does not slow down—but our volunteer capacity must grow to meet it.

We are actively looking for individuals to volunteer in our Resource Pantry so we can build consistent, reliable hours that families can depend on. Whether it is organizing donations, stocking shelves, or supporting distribution, this is work that has an immediate and visible impact. If you’ve been considering getting involved, this is a meaningful place to start.

Looking Ahead: A Moment of Gratitude

On May 1st, we will come together to celebrate all who make this work possible—our donors of time and our donors of resources. Both forms of giving are critical, and both deserve to be recognized and honored. Because whether you give hours, funding, skills, or support—you are part of this mission.

This April, we celebrate volunteerism in all its forms—with honesty, with gratitude, and with a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin exactly where we almost walked away.

My part of engagement