Catholic Charities-Regina Lane

1.  I volunteered my time at Catholic Charities in Mattoon, IL

2.  Catholic Charities is an organization that excepts donations like clothes, shoes, baby toys, furniture, computers, baby clothes, dishes, etc.  What they do with these donations is they have volunteers and employees go through the items to make sure they are in good shape and have them sorted and hanged.  They also have a food pantry that they help families who need assistance with food or bills that can not be paid.  They also have a program that helps pregnant teens or mothers with baby items.  The organization is a very nice place to volunteer at, but also helps families in low-income homes that need assistance in some kind of way.  In my FCS classes I have learned that as a professional you can not judge those who need or who are on assistance, because we do not know there circumstances.  As professionals we have to be knowledgeable of the different services we can offer families that need help whether it's getting help with food, bills, daycare, housing, etc.  We have to have an open mind and be able to work well with others and not be judgmental.

3.  I worked well with the other employees as well as with the supervisor of Catholic Charities.  Everyone their was friendly and helpful. The supervisor took me around Catholic Charities to give me a tour, because I have never been in there before.  And she told me a little bit about the place as well and what they do.

4.   I have volunteered before but not in an organization like this.  I would have to say while I was doing my 5 hours there it made me feel really good about myself.  So I asked if I could come back and volunteer to help out a couple times a month, and the supervisor was so thrilled and said that I was more than welcome to.  I felt like I was helping and making a difference.  While  I was doing my hours the supervisor placed me with a group of ladies sorting clothes in the warehouse area.  I had to go through the clothes and check to see if there were stains, holes/rips in the clothing and if they smelled.  Once I had inspected the clothes then I would hang up the clothing on a hanger and put it on a rack for later to be priced.  I was sorting for summer clothes and then packing up winter in boxes for next year.  That is what I did for the whole 5 hours I was there.  It was pretty easy.  The effect  this organization has on the community is that they can come get assistance and not feel ashamed at all about it.  But they also can buy different types of house ware stuff, clothes, books, movies, cd's, etc. for a cheap price.  They also can get name brand  clothes for a cheap price as well.  A lot of families come to shop at Catholic Charities, because that's all they can afford.

5.  My feelings on volunteering at Catholic Charities made me realize that it's an organization that needs volunteers and those who do volunteer enjoy helping others in need. Volunteering made me think that I'm even though I'm 30yrs. old I'm not to old to volunteer and help others.  I felt great volunteering at the Catholic Charities and plan on at least once or twice a month volunteering a couple hours.