By Esabelle L.
Volunteering at Simpson in Shelter Support and Cook & Connect roles has reshaped the way I think about community.
As a Shelter Support volunteer, I initially assumed the most important work would be helping with tasks — cleaning, organizing, assisting where needed. And while those things matter, I’ve found that some of the most valuable time is spent simply sitting down and talking. Getting to know residents. Listening to their stories. Sharing small moments of normalcy and human connection.
Experiencing homelessness is something many people go through, yet it is also something many of us struggle to truly imagine. One of the most powerful parts of serving is realizing how much mutual humanity exists in those conversations. When we slow down enough to build relationships, the barriers some imagine begin to disappear.
Volunteering shows clearly that homelessness is not result of a personal failure — it is often the result of systemic challenges, unexpected hardship, or circumstances outside someone’s control.
In addition to volunteering for Shelter Support, serving as a Cook & Connect volunteer has also created a different kind of connection. Preparing and serving meals alongside coworkers, friends, or family members becomes an opportunity to gather around a shared purpose. It turns community service into community building. There is something incredibly meaningful about serving a meal together and knowing it contributes, even in a small way, to someone feeling seen and cared for.
Volunteering at Simpson has been a much needed reminder for me that supporting our neighbors is not just about providing shelter or food, but also about restoring dignity, building relationships, and acknowledging that everyone deserves to be valued and have access to safe housing.