Five Questions for a Calvary Volunteer

Justin Orrison is a newcomer to the Calvary volunteer family! After finding us through Arlington County’s volunteer website, he began this spring as an evening volunteer, welcoming women home at night and helping out in the office. Since then, he’s also become an overnight volunteer, spending several nights a month at both Calvary Women’s Shelter and at our Pathways program.

We caught up with him last week to ask about his experience at Calvary so far…

 Why do you volunteer at Calvary?

Calvary is at a convenient location and it gives me the ability to volunteer a couple times a month while also being able to have a positive impact on the lives of the individuals I come into contact with.

What impact do you have as a volunteer?

When I volunteer, I have the ability to be there for residents’ needs and support them in doing better for themselves and having a better quality of life.

What has been your most memorable experience at Calvary?

Being able to the see the positive attitude of individuals, even when they are experiencing a lot of negative at times, has been a great experience in seeing the perseverance that people can demonstrate when given the right tools.

 What do you like best about your work with Calvary?

Volunteering at Calvary gives me the ability to see individuals who have been through hardships, even very rough ones at a previous point in their lives, and how they haven’t given up but are working successfully to get back on the right path and do well for themselves.

 What would you tell someone considering getting involved with Calvary?

It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment each week or month and it’s well worth your time. You are able to see individuals turning their lives around in front of you and experience the true meaning of never giving up on one’s own ambitions and goals in life to provide for themselves and their family.

Interested in becoming a part of the Calvary Women’s Services volunteer team? Take a look at the different volunteer opportunities on our website and sign up!