For sisters Zeina and Selena, volunteering at Simpson Housing Services didn’t start as a grand plan. It started with a simple introduction—hearing about Simpson through their mom’s yoga studio—and a shared curiosity about how they could help. What began as a way to earn community service hours for school quickly became something much more meaningful.
“We just filled out the application together and decided to try it,” Zeina recalls. “And right away, it felt really satisfying to be directly helping people.”
That sense of direct impact is what continues to bring them back.
More Than Just Volunteering
Like many first-time volunteers, both Zeina and Selena had some uncertainty going in. What would they be asked to do? Would they know how to help? Would they fit in?
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Zeina admits. “But there’s never any judgment. People are quick to help you, and you’re all just working together.”
At Simpson, that collaborative environment quickly replaced hesitation with confidence. Whether they’re unloading groceries, chopping vegetables, or serving meals, volunteers are guided every step of the way—and encouraged to learn as they go.
Selena remembers one of her earliest moments clearly: making pancakes for the first time.
“I’d never made them before,” she laughed, “and they weren’t great. But when we were serving, people were so grateful. It didn’t matter. That’s when it really hit me how meaningful it is.”
That realization—that perfection doesn’t matter, but presence does—is something many volunteers discover quickly.
Small Moments Stay With You
Ask Zeina and Selena what stands out most about their time at Simpson, and they won’t talk about the tasks. They’ll talk about the people.
For Selena, it was a simple interaction while serving a meal.
“One guest said, ‘God bless you. Thank you so much for coming—we really value you here.’ That stuck with me.”
Zeina had a similar experience with a woman who made a point to welcome her.
“She came up to me, even though I’m sure she had her own things going on, and just said thank you and asked how I was. It meant a lot,” Zeina says. “It showed me that even in really hard situations, people still take time to connect with others.”
These moments are powerful reminders of what volunteering at Simpson is really about: human connection. It’s not just about providing meals—it’s about dignity, conversation, and being seen.
Growing Individually—and Together
Volunteering has also shaped the sisters’ relationship with each other in unexpected ways. Working side-by-side in the kitchen taught them how to collaborate, communicate, and respect each other’s strengths.
“We’ve learned how to work together better,” Selena explains. “We get into a rhythm—like, what are you doing, what am I doing—and it just flows.”
Zeina agrees, noting that those small moments of teamwork have carried over into their everyday lives.
“It’s helped us understand how to work together, even outside of volunteering. Just simple things—but they really make a difference.”
They’ve also gained practical skills along the way—everything from learning how to properly chop vegetables to cooking meals that reflect creativity and culture. But more importantly, they’ve gained perspective.
Breaking Assumptions, Building Understanding
Both sisters acknowledge that volunteering at Simpson opened their eyes to experiences outside their own.
“It allowed us to meet people from different backgrounds and understand different perspectives,” Zeina says. “That alone makes it worth it.”
For Selena, it reinforced something even deeper: the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone.
“You don’t have to know everything. You just have to show up.”
They Keep Coming Back
With busy school schedules, extracurriculars, and plans for the future, neither Zeina nor Selena has unlimited free time. But they continue to make room for Simpson whenever they can. And the reason is simple.
“It’s the people,” Selena says. “You can feel that you’re directly helping someone—even if it’s just a couple hours.”
Zeina adds that volunteering offers something increasingly rare in today’s world: a sense of connection.
“There’s so much division and conflict everywhere,” she says. “Coming to Simpson is something small I can do to support my community. It makes me feel like I’m making a difference.”
A Message to Future Volunteers
If there’s one thing both sisters want others to know, it’s this: you don’t have to commit to everything to make an impact.
“Even if you come once, it’s meaningful,” Zeina says.
“And even if you don’t know what you’re doing,” Selena adds, “just do it. You’ll learn. And it will be worth it.”
Because at Simpson, volunteering isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up—with an open mind, a willingness to help, and a readiness to connect. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to make a difference—not just in someone else’s life, but in your own.