Volunteer Spotlight: CG Schmidt

CG Schmidt volunteers in the breakfast serving line

Gathering volunteers are always contributing in new and unique ways and they never cease to surprise us. One group who has demonstrated this so far is the volunteer group from CG Schmidt. CG Schmidt is a “values-based construction management and general contracting firm, driven by our core value of caring.” Their core value of caring certainly came through when various employees volunteered their time to serve at the Gathering’s breakfast meal throughout December and January. What’s even more interesting is the reason the staff volunteered.

Greg Morelli, a construction manager for CG Schmidt explained, “Our owner, Rick Schmidt, does a lot to give back. Rather than come together to give him a tie and a Christmas card, which we normally do, his assistant asked anonymously via e-mail if we could join the Gathering to help needy and hungry people. It is a way to thank Rick in a little more meaningful way, because this kind of service is near and dear to Rick’s heart.”

Morelli also stated that he is proud of his co-workers. Over the five days of volunteering, there were 32 different volunteer slots filled. Such a good turnout says a lot about the CG Schmidt team and their overall attitude. In addition to volunteering, the staff also prepared bagged lunches to contribute, so guests had something to take away from the meal. While staff members had different reasons for volunteering their time, the caring value was present throughout.

Tom Pagel, a project/construction manager with CG Schmidt observed, “This is my second time volunteering. I believe in karma. Do good things and good things happen, I’m a pay-it-forward kind of person. I worked on the serving line and giving coffee. When you’re serving, you get personal contact. You always hear stories on Facebook about how it could be just a smile that can make a positive difference. Serving on the front line, you’re acting as that welcome. That’s what we try to do.”

Pagel also explained that through George, the Gathering’s breakfast coordinator. The group had an educational discussion about poverty: “If you don’t know the city, George’s education about poverty brings it to real life.”

We are so impressed with CG Schmidt staff members! Our volunteers continually make a concerted effort to learn more about poverty and hunger, give back to the community and practice compassion. We hope that all of our volunteers are able to take what they learn from their experiences with the Gathering and pay it forward.

Learn more about CG Schmidt.

Stephanie’s Story

Stephanie (center) and fellow volunteers in the serving line

Stephanie Momon has experienced homelessness, survived two debilitating car accidents, fought off breast cancer and watched her mom suffer from dementia. You might expect someone with that life experience to be cynical or bitter. Instead, Stephanie has earned an Associate’s Degree in Social Services from MATC, a Bachelors in Science from Springfield and is currently working on her Masters with a concentration on mental health so she can focus her life on helping others. She spends her free time volunteering with the Gathering.

In December, Stephanie shared her amazing life journey with me.

“Well, in the 80s I was homeless. I would come here [to the Gathering] and eat breakfast so I was already aware of it. And then in the spring my Mom and I just started coming down here. She wasn’t eating good and I wanted her to eat a well balanced meal, so we would come down here and eat breakfast. In the fall, she gradually developed dementia. My Dad is her caregiver and thought she shouldn’t come down here no more so I decided to start volunteering in October.”

Stephanie has held every volunteer position imaginable at the Gathering’s breakfast program.

“Oh, I’ve volunteered behind the table, gave out juice and desserts, clean and wipe the tables, clean up, and I also worked in the kitchen. I refill and hand out milk in the pitchers and I basically just do whatever is needed. On one occasion when I was volunteering, a guest asked me for some extra dessert and I gave it to him. He said ‘thank you’. It gave me a big smile on my face and that good internal feeling.”

She discussed her many obstacles in life and how they instilled a commitment to service for others within her.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. I didn’t know anything about breast cancer. I became depressed and wanted to give up and die, but my Mom was by my side throughout most of my treatments. She would tell me, “You can do all things in Christ who strengthens you.” I believe that’s what got me through it. I went through 4 months of chemo, lost all my hair. I was bald as a new born baby. Went through 7 weeks of radiation and then I was on 2 pills a day for 5 years. Then I was hit by a drunk driver in 2008. I flew up in the air and came down. I was lying in the street, my left arm was turned backwards. I was in Froedtert Hospital a week. I had two options: either I could have surgery (the doctor couldn’t guarantee me my arm would be the same as it was) or I could let it heal on its own in a sling. I decided to let it heal on its own and I couldn’t use my arm. I stayed with my Mom for a week. My Mom took good care of me, fed me, washed me up, she was so good to me!”

Throughout her whole life, Stephanie and her mother have been close. Stephanie talked about a strong network of family and friends, including her long-term boyfriend. Stephanie explained they have a, "deep trust, commitment, and love for each other." She explains that her boyfriend and her mother pulled her through a lot of hardships and their love and family bond keeps her going.

“In 1981, I was driving my car on the highway, on the street, it was icy and slippery - it was January. My car ran off the road into a telephone pole and my head went through the windshield. I was in a coma for a few months. One occasion I could feel some pressure on my hands. I opened my eyes and my mom was squeezing my hand and she shouted, ‘Praise the Lord! My baby’s back!’ I was diagnosed with a head injury. I couldn’t read, write, walk or talk.”

After months of rehabilitation, Stephanie is now able to do all of those tasks and more. She has been employed by Summerfest, State Fair, JC Penney’s, Boston Store, the Census Bureau and been a security person, until she took a hiatus to finish up her Master’s Degree. 

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When asked what the Gathering means to her, Stephanie explained, “It’s a place where individuals can come, sit down, eat a good meal, enjoy themselves, fellowship with each other and just have a nice time; be thankful and grateful for those they know and those they care for and to just be with each other.”

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Merry Christmas from Stephanie

Over this past Christmas season, Stephanie invested in Santa hats for all the volunteers to wear. She did it simply because she wanted, “everyone to get in the Christmas spirit.” We are grateful for her spirit, her dedication to the Gathering and a life of service, her big smile and her story. Stephanie, your resiliency is a truly inspiring example to all of us.

Real Talk with Robert

After helping serve a breakfast of pancakes, bacon, coffee and bakery products, Robert Harrell, a guest volunteer with the Gathering, took some time to chat with me about his experiences with volunteering, homelessness and much more.

Robert started volunteering during his 2 year-long struggle with homelessness. He was encouraged to stick around with the Gathering because he was such a hard worker and dedicated volunteer. Today, he has been volunteering for three years, almost five days a week, and has become a valuable asset to the Gathering’s breakfast program.

Robert is often seen volunteering on the floor at the breakfast meal. He helps by assisting guests while they eat, but he doesn’t work on the floor just to refill coffee—he spends tons of time checking in with guests and greeting familiar faces. For many Gathering guests, Robert has become somewhat of a mentor. He is frequently seen sharing his story, listening and giving advice to others.

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“A lot of people don’t understand how homelessness is. People don’t know how hard it is. You can lose your job, all your money, just like that, it happens,” Robert explained. “I used to be homeless just like the guests. I feel like I need to give something back because I understand what its like.”

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During Robert’s two years of homelessness, he dealt with a lot of negative attitudes and people judging him because of his appearance or situation.

“When you’re homeless, people call you a ‘bum’ but you can’t say stuff like that. You don’t know what that person has gone through. So, now, when somebody asks me something I try to give them an answer. A lot of people tell me thanks…thanks for listening or thanks for the advice. Just the simple conversation can be helpful and makes people happier.”

Robert prides himself on being a loyal friend and a good listener. His attitude perfectly reflects the Gathering’s mission to provide meals with respect and dignity. Robert understands that no matter what your situation may be, a little bit of warmth, compassion and a listening ear can actually make a difference.

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“People come with a certain attire, or maybe a bad odor, or certain mannerisms that don’t make sense. But you can’t look at people like they are lesser than you because of the way they look. I never look at people like that. You don’t know what that person has been through. Some people have been awake all night long, or slept outside, or are dealing with something serious.”

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Regardless of what people are going through, the Gathering works to promote an open environment where guests can get not only a meal, but also the respect and dignity they deserve. It is individuals like Robert that help make this mission a reality. So remember, no matter who you are or where you are coming from, the Gathering—and Robert—welcomes you!

Volunteer Numbers for FY 2012/2013

Northwestern Mutual MLK day clean up group

The Gathering relies on hundreds of individuals and groups who donate their time and expertise. Volunteers do 98% of the direct service work. Numbers provided below are based on available tracking, observation and best practices.

SERVICE VOLUNTEERS - 36,399 Donated Hours

Volunteers come to the Gathering as individuals or as groups, one time or daily. In FY2012/2013, 163 different groups served meals at Gathering sites: 44 businesses/organizations, 58 religious institutions, 29 schools, and 32 service groups and families. At weekday meals these groups worked alongside individuals from the community and from our guest population. Each meal required 12-20 volunteers, resulting in 29,076 donated hours of service. Produce Preservation volunteers, bag lunch makers, serving group recruiters, cleaning groups, and cook team volunteers made up the remainder of the donated hours.

Breakfast Program serving line

LEADERSHIP VOLUNTEERS - 67 Volunteers

These volunteers serve as lead cooks and coordinators for our Saturday lunch programs. They serve in roles that would otherwise have to be covered by paid staff.  In FY 2012/2013 these leadership volunteers provided 2,934 hours valued at $52,988.

Youth Volunteers at The Gathering

Youth actively promote the Gathering’s mission. They participate by: raising money for meal programs at school fundraisers, sharing their unique talents, volunteering on a regular basis and spreading the Gathering’s mission to friends, family and more. I want to introduce you to two of the groups of youth who are helping out the Gathering this summer: YouthWorks and Micah 6:8 Summer Work Camp.

YOUTHWORKS:

Every summer, YouthWorks—an international organization—coordinates service trips for over 30,000 jr. high and high school students and adult leaders in North America. One of their trip destinations is Milwaukee, where they work at various social service organizations throughout the city, like the Gathering. When they are not doing hands-on service, the youth participate in educational activities, evening gatherings, explore their faith and more.

Every Wednesday throughout the summer, various YouthWorks volunteers serve dinner at the Gathering’s south side site. While volunteering with the Gathering, the groups focus on building relationships. “If you don’t hear people’s stories, you can’t relate and you won’t understand why you’re here,” explained Zach, one of the trip’s leaders.

Grace and Morgana hand out sandwiches in the serving line

Morgana, a youth in Zach’s group said that guest interaction was the most important part for her as well: “I am excited most for the face to face interaction. It’s an opportunity for me to be more social,” she explained.

MICAH 6:8 SUMMER WORK CAMP:

 In June, a group of youth from three different churches in the Mukwonago area: St. James, St. Peter and St. Theresa Catholic Church, formed the Micah 6:8 Summer Work Camp. Different teams of teens and their adult supervisors worked tirelessly for three afternoons to improve the Gathering’s St. James location—site of our Monday-Friday breakfast program and a Saturday lunch.

Some of the work they did included: scrubbing, cleaning and painting the kitchen’s walls and ceilings; repainting the nurse’s office; repainting an orange stripe to brighten up the guests’ hallway; building and donating a little free library; cleaning closets, appliances, chairs, tables and walls; replacing door knobs and locks and even more!

The groups name is based on the bible verse Micah 6:8, which calls us, “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The group’s service first approach left the Gathering’s breakfast site looking fresh and clean.

Micah 6:8 workgroup--worked hard, played hard

Service As A Family

Mary and Rick Thickens were among the group from St. Christopher’s Church that was organized to volunteer at the St. James site on the first anniversary of the Gathering’s opening, late January 1983. Rick and Mary quickly became regular volunteers. “We went a couple of times and it did not take long for us to get hooked” Mary explains. Over the years, Rick and Mary have served as volunteers, board members, lead, floor and kitchen coordinators, cooks, produce preservers and just about any volunteer role they could fill. When their children, Laura and Richard, were six and nine years old, they became a part of the family business of volunteering with the Gathering as well. Laura explains that when she started volunteering with the Gathering at age six, her regular spot was on the serving line handing out sugar packets, cookies and plenty of smiles. Over the years Laura has filled in as a kitchen/floor coordinator and has served on the board for close to ten years. Laura is the Gathering’s current board secretary. For Mary, Rick and their children, the Gathering has become an:

“integral part of our family culture, and that is cool.” Rick explains, “Our children may not have had much choice in whether or not to participate when they were young. I am proud that they have chosen to continue that participation as adults. In the not too distant future, the third generation of our family will be passing out sugar packets to guests. That, too is cool.”

For this dedicated family, the Gathering holds many special moments and memories. Mary explained a significant moment from her past related to the Gathering:

“My daughter (when she was around 10 or 11) and I went to a street level coffee shop at Grand Avenue for some hot chocolate because it was a very cold day. Several of our Gathering guests came inside briefly to get warm, and my daughter said good morning to each and called them by name. I realized that to her these were not ‘homeless people,’ but individual people whom she knew from her Saturdays at the Gathering.”

Laura also shared a memory related to being a mother:

“Not long after I had my first child, I was volunteering at the Saturday lunch program. A woman came through the line with her two young children so I offered to help her carry their trays. As I walked with them to the table I couldn’t help but see this family through my new maternal perspective. With all the many worries that come with being a mom, I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to have food security be one of those concerns, and at that moment I felt so humbled and fortunate to be part of an organization that allowed this mother to know she could provide a warm, healthy meal for her children even when she didn’t have the means to make it herself. This was almost six years ago now, but it was such an impactful experience for me that I can still remember exactly what they all looked like and where they sat that day.”

Rick also explained friendships he formed with guests, including guest-turned-staff Gary Giedlinski, who taught Rick how to cook. In addition, Rick shared an interesting story of the day he created a meal out of 50 pounds of donated emu necks. With the help of other volunteers, he was able to boil the meat off the bone and add it to the daily dish. When all was said and done, it tasted just like turkey!

From sugar packets and smiles to emu necks and board meetings, the versatile Thickens family has been a blessing to the Gathering. We are grateful for Richard, Rick, Laura, Mary and Jason for their years of dedicated, compassionate service.