Letter from a Volunteer
Caring for our homeless guests and connecting them to the resources they need to improve their lives is our number one mission. But there’s a second part of our mission, which is inviting others into a relationship with volunteering and serving others. As a Christian non-profit, we are motivated by God’s love for us, but also His mission to see His kingdom come. Part of seeing that kingdom happen on earth is caring for “the poor.” With Christmas in our rear view mirror, the idea of Jesus being born into poverty is very fresh in our consciousness. This is the moment when God steps in to redeem the world and he does so in the lowliest way imaginable. If that’s how God chose to come into the world, then what does it say about God’s closeness to those living in the margins?
Each week our eight outreaches are a space for our volunteers to draw close to God’s heart. To discover what the Gospel might mean outside of our usual comfortable lives. Tom D’Antonio volunteered with us towards the end of 2021 and took the time to write us this letter about his experience:
Thank you for this follow-up email and also for allowing me the opportunity to serve with City Relief today. I live in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and have been meaning to reconnect with my passion for charity, people, and religious service for many years. I'm 27 years old and was a proud volunteer for the Bay Ridge Center here through my younger years in middle school and high school. I feel like I lost touch with a lot of that over the years. Especially the past year where I feel the city has undergone a big shift, where there is general tension and uneasiness in different pockets of society. I think I felt a need to get myself back doing things that I love, which is really just talking with people and trying to bring some sort of happiness to their day.
Today was a great experience working in the kitchen handing out food and drinks to those in need. It opened my eyes again to see that as much as I may get caught up in daily issues surrounding work and relationships, there are a lot of other things happening right here in my city that I wasn't even aware of. I loved every minute of my time today, from the wonderful team members that I casually chatted with, to the efficient setup, and especially being able to connect and smile with people who truly need help in life. I had great interactions with so many people including many laughs which is a beautiful thing. One story that I think will stick with me going forward was when a young-looking man in ripped shorts came up and spoke so calmly, introducing himself as Byron. He stated that he was going to be alone for Thanksgiving and if we can help him with a pair of pants to stay warm. I could tell he was a sweet person who is just living a type of life that I can't imagine at the moment, but he was also nervous and hesitant to join up with a shelter when asked. One of the City Relief leads spoke to him about being a child of God who deserves a chance in life. These words really stuck with me and I will pray for this man tonight in hopes that he will find a way to be okay and healthy.
I am looking forward to joining City relief again, hopefully in one of the other locations as well (I will also be joining the DRIVEN program with a monthly donation shortly).
Best, Tom D'Antonio
Matthew 25 says: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” As the new year begins, we have an opportunity to look at the year before us and resolve to be who we want to be in the year to come. We invite you in the coming year to move out of your comfort zone, and see what else your life might have in store, and what kingdom you might build, both for yourself, and for our homeless brothers and sisters.
