As we wrote the other day, volunteers are a critical part of the work we do. Without the hundreds of volunteers who come to the Mission from across the United States to work with us – and the many local volunteers who spend time with us – we wouldn’t be able to do the amazing work that we do.
But, you might be wondering, what do volunteers at Back Bay Mission do?
Mission Trip Volunteers work in our housing rehabilitation ministry, the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s only client-choice food pantry, and the Micah Day Center. They frame houses, hang drywall, paint, caulk, and do most of the other work on every housing rehab project. They walk with clients through the food pantry and help them choose the best food for their families. They clean showers, do laundry, and spend time with our guests in the Micah Day Center. Just as importantly, they make Back Bay Mission a warm and welcoming environment for every visitor who comes through our doors.
Long-Term Volunteers spend a month or more at the Mission. They work closely with our mission trip volunteers scheduling visits, making preparations, sharing information, and providing supervision. Whether serving as a volunteer coordinator or a construction supervisor, long-term volunteers are a key extension of our housing rehabilitation staff. They make sure that our staff can be out of the office, on the job site, and providing sustainable, maintainable, affordable housing for low-income families.
Local Volunteers come to the Mission day after day to strengthen their own community. They work at the front desk, answer phones, staff the Micah Day Center, teach art classes, serve on our advisory council, and help the community garden. They take pride in their community and are working to make it stronger.
Of course, some volunteers don’t fit neatly into any of those categories. The women who drive down from Wisconsin every year to stock Christmas baskets and backpacks. The electricians who come from Connecticut to rewire houses. The pastors who stop through during their sabbatical. All of these people and more make a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve.
Thank you!
