VOLUNTEER STORIES
VOLUNTEER STORIES
COLLEEN
LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE FRESHMAN
What matters in life? While desiring only to gain healthcare experience, this is the question I learned the answer to. As, I started volunteering at Mother Teresa House (MTH) because I wanted to have hands-on experience working with patients before I began nursing school. But what started out as a simple volunteer opportunity quickly turned into one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
While at MTH, I have learned how to focus on what matters in life and not get caught up with temporary concerns or pleasures. Being with dying people on a weekly basis has opened me up to listen better. I hear so many stories from our guests. As they are nearing the end of their lives, many of them want to share their experiences and wisdom with you. They love more than anything to have someone to talk to and be with them. I deeply treasure my time spent at Mother Teresa House – it has impacted my life in more ways that I can describe.
MICHAEL
THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL STUDENT
I am blessed to have a family who is supportive of any endeavor I pursue and has a strong influence in helping me to recognize the value and reward of helping others. I decided to volunteer my time at the Mother Teresa House after my first year of school. I was reading the church bulletin on a Sunday afternoon, and I noticed that Mother Teresa House was looking for volunteers. I decided to volunteer because I felt this would be a good opportunity for me to help others in the community. While I didn’t know it at the time, serving at Mother Teresa House would become one of the most rewarding endeavors in my life.
There are many advantages to this type of service to the community. While donating my time, I have been rewarded with meeting and working with some of the most caring, giving, and compassionate people I have ever encountered. The guests and volunteers have impacted my life in so many positive ways, and they have been the biggest driving force for my desire to keep volunteering here. I personally enjoy all the interactions I have with the guests. We have spent many hours laughing, reading, eating, and talking with one another. These experiences have created so many unforgettable memories.
During my time at Mother Teresa House, the guests, including their family and friends, and the volunteers have created a home away from home for me. This type of familial environment has been the catalyst for my positive experiences there. You truly get the sense that everyone is just one big family.
Gerry
State of Michigan employee and avid Hockey Player
My story is very simple; I was going through a phase in my life where I needed to start doing something with more meaning. Volunteering at MTH was (and is!) ideal. There is a warm satisfaction in doing what you can to help others.
The families are especially grateful; many of whom need a well deserved rest. There is a sense of unity, hope and love in the house that remains very special. See, very simple!
David & Sue
Married Couple serving over 12 years at MTH
If it’s Tuesday or Saturday, we know where we should be. It’s just that simple. We just know God wants us to be here, and we’ve never questioned that.
Judith
Mother and Grandmother who is very active in supporting many Lansing area Community Efforts
I cook for Christ and the angels…it’s so easy. Everyone has their gift. I can’t do the physical direct-care but I can cook. When I wake-up at 5:00AM, I think to myself, “what are you going to do today?”
If a guest at Mother Teresa House feels even just a little bit better from eating the meal that I’ve cooked, I just can’t think of anything better. And who knows, it could be Christ or an Angel sitting at the MTH dinner table.
Joe
A 2007 Grand Valley State University Graduate working as an Employment Specialist/Education Instructor
The reason I choose to volunteer at MTH is quite simple–I possess an inner-need to genuinely give back in whatever way, shape, or form. MTH offers the opportunity to give back by providing a comforting and trusting environment in which the volunteers can preserve, ensure, and bolster the dignity of human life in the latter stages.
I am a firm and steadfast believer that all terminally ill individuals possess a form of beauty independent of their inner ability or self-control to outwardly express it. I try to ensure that this beauty is witnessed and valued here on Earth.
With this being said, just over a year ago I came across an ad in the Clinton County News offering an opportunity to volunteer at MTH. Mother Teresa has been a role model of mine since reading Mother Teresa in The Heart of The World: Thoughts, Stories, and Prayers. Although I would be downright lying if I avoided to state that I exhibited initial doubts about my ability to provide competent services to guests at MTH, I viewed volunteering as an opportunity which must be given a fair shot, and I am grateful I did just that, for I have met many wonderful guests, family members, and volunteers which I highly doubt I would have otherwise had the chance of meeting.
A little over a year later, I feel privileged and lucky to have had the strength, ability, and family support to serve MTH guests while also interacting with their family members, and fellow volunteers. I believe all families deserve a haven like MTH, because it allows quality time to be spent with loved ones while eliminating or minimizing obligations associated with care giving.
And although my volunteer service is extremely small, I must remind myself of a quote from Mother Teresa, “Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small.” My only hope is that I am able to continue giving at the MTH and within other areas of my life in the pursuit and battle for love and peace on Earth.
Emily
Junior at Michigan State University
Volunteering at Mother Teresa House just sort of fell into my lap. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to start volunteering as much or more than I used to in high school. A couple days into that year my friend told me about MTH, so I decided to check it out and here I am!
Every Sunday, I come in for four hours and it is something that I always look forward to. It’s a wonderful break from my busy schedule of classes, work, and internships. Coming into a house full of loving and selfless people makes it impossible for me to be stressed or upset about anything else. Even when I’ve had bad days, or even a bad week, being here makes me happy. I have learned so much from the volunteers, guests, and families of Mother Teresa House that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Contact us to become a volunteer today!
Employment Opportunities
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Our Mailing Address
Mother Teresa House
P.O. Box 13004
Lansing, MI 48901
Office Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am - 4pm
Phone: (517) 484-5494
Tour Of Peace
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Primary Communities Served
Bath
Corunna
Dansville
East Lansing
DeWitt
Dimondale
Eaton Rapids
Williamston
Fowlerville
Grand Ledge
Haslett
Holt
Ionia
Laingsburg
Lake Odessa
Lansing
Mason
Okemos
Olivet
Perry
St Johns
Webberville