National Volunteer Appreciation Week is here! This year at the Mission, our theme for the week is Wings Like Eagles. As Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

We are overjoyed to celebrate our volunteers, as they have all shown strength, perseverance and dedication in serving our most vulnerable neighbors.

In fact, our volunteers spent 60,957 hours serving last year!

Hours Served by Volunteers Last Year

60,957

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all our volunteers who have given hope to the hopeless, meals to the hungry and smiles to the hurting. It is because of you that we are able to change lives every single day.

Get to Know Some of Our Amazing Volunteers!

John Kaufman

Volunteer Teacher for Career Development Classes at Harvest Farm

Time at the Mission: I have volunteered at Harvest Farm for about one year, and it has truly been one of the most rewarding years of my life. When I started volunteering, I was quite nervous. My task was to teach the participants how to get jobs. The curriculum was set, terrific and effective; however, I simply did not know if I could relate to the men in such a way that would make me an effective teacher. I have been a professional educator for 20 years but did not have this sort of work previously. After teaching several classes on this topic, I was embraced by the students. It was a most warm and congenial environment. I really wanted to help them be successful, and my relationships grew with the men.

Favorite Memory Volunteering: At the end of my last class, I was honored that the men invited me to celebrate their graduation from the class by viewing the film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” which centers on a man who is down and out but works his way out of this hole. I was grateful for the invitation, and I will never forget the gesture on their part.

Brittani Meis

Meal Service Volunteer at Fort Collins Rescue Mission

Time at the Mission: I started volunteering in fall 2020 through Circle K at Colorado State University. Since COVID put a hold on in-person events, the Mission was the main volunteer opportunity hosted by Circle K. I wanted to meet students across campus and most importantly, get involved in my new community.

Now that I am an officer for the club, I have the joy of seeing other students go through the same process I went through and hear their stories from when they volunteer.

Favorite Memory Volunteering: My favorite memories are helping Rica and Dreya with meals—every single time. There is no one memory that stands out, they’re all just as great.

David Burran

Mentor at Harvest Farm

Time at the Mission: I have been volunteering as a mentor at Harvest Farm for about a year. I have a heart to serve the Lord, and the mentoring program provides a meaningful way to serve the Kingdom. It has deepened my faith as I have called on the Lord to guide me with the men.

Favorite Memory Volunteering: A young man I was mentoring had told me about his brother. His brother was older, and they had moved to Colorado together.

The men did not have the best relationship because of their lifestyle choices, and they had become separated and lost contact with each other. The man I was mentoring missed his brother and often wondered about where he was and how he was doing. We prayed together for them to be reunited and the Lord to work in his older brother’s life.

The brothers were reunited at worship service one Sunday. The older brother had found his way to Fort Collins Rescue Mission, and I was mentoring the younger brother at Harvest Farm. The following Sunday, the older brother was baptized. Not long after, he was accepted to the Farm where he began the New Life Program. The Lord has reunited these brothers and will use their lives for His Glory.

You can learn more about David’s experience as a mentor in our April Changing Lives newsletter

David Hughes

Case Manager at Fort Collins Rescue Mission

Time at the Mission: Last summer, I was an emergency services intern at Fort Collins Rescue Mission (FCRM) and a kitchen intern at Harvest Farm. Then I was hired on as a temporary emergency services coordinator, and just recently got hired on as a full-time case manager at FCRM.

Favorite Memory: I have so many great memories! One night when I was an intern, I sat in our courtyard for five or so hours just having conversations with guests and being present with them. At the end of the shift, I talked with my boss at the time and apologized because I hadn’t gotten anything done. He responded that how I spent the evening constituted a productive day.

Before I joined the Mission, I was an Army medic and because of that previous work and my own personality, I have a strong focus on objectively measurable accomplishments. The “Ministry of Presence” is a new experience for me. It was neat to practice it and learn how important it is in our work.