When did you start volunteering for the organization?
“I began in May 2008 and extended my commitment to a second year because I fell in love with A-house! I continually learn from the guests, volunteers, being challenged daily, living simply, and promoting justice for immigrants keep me coming back!” Sarah from Colorado Springs
August 1, 2008. “I re-committed another 6 months and just recently for another year. I continue to learn, be challenged, feel rewarded, experience joy and feel as though this is where I should be. It is also hard, stressful and heart wrenching, but I am not ready to leave yet.” Katy from Minnesota
What brought you to volunteer at the Annunciation House?
“ A desire to live out my faith and values, to try to the extent that is feasible, to live a life of solidarity, wanting to be a welcoming presence to a population that is so often unwelcomed by greater American society.” Stephanie from Connecticut
“I came hoping for a unique experience working towards social justice; learning and immersing myself within a realm of immigration. And not just working towards justice for immigration, but really living it, especially with the support of a community and volunteers.” Rachel, Minnesota
“A realization that my reality is tied up in the reality of immigrants and border dwellers, from what I buy, to what I eat, to what I see on the news. For me, this is kind of like going to grad school, except more fun, more Spanish and more of a services aspect.” Stephanie from Pittsburg
“I desired to give myself in service to others for at least a year, to live simply and in solidarity with the poor, and to work towards a more just world. I found all of that at A-house.” Sarah
If you could describe your experience as a volunteer in 3 words, what would they be?
BUSY, REAL, GRATITUDE, FUN, LIFE-CHANGING, EYE-OPENING, CHALLENGING, BLESSED, CONSUMING, THRILLING, GOOD, EMPOWERING
In your opinion, what could future volunteers hope to gain from this experience?
“Volunteering gives you the opportunity to not just work with people, but to live with them too, building stronger relationships not only with guests you are helping, but also with your fellow volunteers. And, you are always learning as a volunteer, whether it is about immigration, life on the border, peoples’ lives or about yourself.” Rachel
“One can hope to gain deeper insights into themselves and the realities of the border, to encounter humanity in all its forms, and to experience what it is to accompany and connect with the poor in migration.” Sarah
“I think future volunteers could gain an experience of reality that most people, especially privileged people, never have. I think it is really an ideal way to live- radically, outside of many aspects of capitalism, in community supported entirely by generosity of the community, doing provocative work just by doing the most simple hospitality.” Katy
“The joys and challenges that arise from accepting an invitation to sit with, to actually enter into, the discomfort, uncertainty, triumph and hardship that distinguishes “la Vida de la casa”. Stephanie from Connecticut
“One learns how to live a life in touch with reality, which is really the only way to live.” Stephanie from Pittsburg
What is the most profound lesson you have learned through your volunteer work?
“The community of volunteers- there is always someone who is going to help you if you need it.” Fabian, Germany
“Volunteering here is a privilege- entering the lives of others in this way is SUCH a privilege, which humbles you too, in a very healthy, necessary way.” Stephanie from Connecticut
“The real micro and macro reasons people leave their homes and families to migrate- NAFTA, hunger, poverty, opportunity, IMF & World Bank Loans, Mexican government corruption, Operation Hold the Line, Operation Gatekeeper, $5 a day maquila minimum wage, 60% of Mexican workforce in informal economy. Also, the capacity of the human spirit to persevere in the face of extreme suffering is astounding.” Stephanie from Pittsburg
What have you gained as a volunteer living in solidarity with guests?
“I have learned that I have much more in common with the guests than I could have ever imagined. I have experienced humanity in all its forms and discovered my capacity to love.” Sarah
“Their trust and their story to the point where they call A-house “family”. Fabian
“Living with the people you work with is an incredible experience, you see everyone and everyone sees you at your best and your worst. I feel like it creates an atmosphere of deeper respect, as we are more humanized to one another.” Katy
“Living in solidarity with guests is one of the most unique experiences of volunteering at A-house, it is not just a job you leave behind at the end of the day; its life, its home. It enables you to form deeper bonds with the guests and begin to understand each other’s shared humanity.” Rachel
“Genuine relationships, based on trust, sharing and support.” Stephanie from Connecticut
“I always have my share of privileges, such as my college degree and family financial safety net. That said, living simply. Having the daily opportunity to be a lesser participant in the U.S. consumption machine is liberating.” Stephanie from Pittsburg
What have you gained living in community with other volunteers?
“I am continually challenged by new ideas and exposed to new opportunities for growth. Each volunteer brings something new to the table.” Sarah
“I love living in community, we work, live, laugh and cry together and I have formed some really incredible friendships here.” Katy
How do you feel this experience will influence your future plans?
“I believe I will always carry this experience with me, whatever I do next. I feel a strong pull to continue working with migrants and refugees. The lessons I have learned here will stick with me always.” Sarah
“I am in the process of applying to law school with the hopes of learning how to be a better advocate for individuals like the guests of our houses.” Stephanie from Connecticut
