Shelter volunteers step into reality

Author: Miles Abadilla

Going to college in rural Vermont, Middlebury students are rarely exposed to the same extremes of poverty and homelessness as their counterparts on urban campuses. Friends of John Graham Shelter, a Volunteer Services Organization which gained official club status last year, is trying to remedy this by encouraging students to volunteer with the residents at the shelter.

Located in Vergennes, the John W. Graham Emergency Shelter caters to the needs of individuals and families that require safe and readily available short-term housing in Addison County. The efforts of the Friends include practical assistance, like providing food for the shelter, as well as simply interacting with the residents.

"We take food to the shelter and cook meals," said Katie Sparkes '09, co-chair of the Friends, "and there is a lot of relationship building involved. We talk to the residents, no matter how briefly, and the people look forward to our visits."

Volunteers also participate in Saturday reading programs with the children at the shelter and help with babysitting.

"We chat with the families and eat dinner with them," said Will Hackett '09, "but we also play games with the children."

The initiatives by the Friends are just one component of the College's ongoing and fruitful relationship with John Graham Shelter. For years, the Alliance of Civil Engagement (ACE) has funded summer internships at the shelter for students.

Christy Martenson '08, who has worked with the Friends and also as an ACE intern, wrote about her involvement in an e-mail.

"We attended community suppers in Middlebury with shelter residents, worked on a garden at the shelter, and hosted holiday meals (Thanksgiving dinner and Easter brunch) for the shelter," wrote Martenson. "The bottom line is that working with the shelter is a great way to get away from campus and see what the larger community has to offer. I met great, interesting people and had a chance to rethink my priorities."

Hackett agreed that his time spent volunteering at the shelter, which he started doing sophomore year, has enriched his perspective and allowed him to gain life experience outside of his academic curriculum at Middlebury.

"My first time there I was hesitant since I had not dealt with homeless people in this condition, but the first minute you are there you are put at ease and realize that these are completely normal people," he said. "It opens your eyes to people's condition and how everyone comes from all walks of life."

The idea for the Friends organization was originally conceived by Andrew Haile '06 and Meg McFadden '06. Sparkes explained that Haile and McFadden had initially intended to focus on the impoverished community in the Burlington area, but instead decided to volunteer with the John Graham shelter, which was more in need of volunteers. Student involvement has grown immensely since then.

Volunteers like Sparkes, Hackett and Matheson certainly exemplify the impact that student involvement can have on both shelter residents and the community in general.

"It is important to gain awareness of community and it is nice to have a connection with Vermont," said Sparkes.