Volunteer Stories
"Volunteering at Depaul House Gives Meaning to My Life."
Depaul USA was very fortunate when Sister Mary Francis Martin moved to Philadelphia. Sr. Mary Fran, a Daughter of Charity and former Provincial, wanted to become more involved in her community, and she saw volunteering at Depaul USA as a perfect opportunity.
Sr. Mary Fran was first introduced to Depaul USA by Brother Peter Campbell, who served as Board Chair of Depaul USA when it began in 2008. The Daughters of Charity are part of the Vincentian Family, and Depaul USA's connection to the Vincentians and its international work really appealed to Sr. Mary Fran. Like the Daughters of Charity, Depaul USA is committed to working with the poor in a practical and non-judgmental way, and responding to need through action and innovation.
In early 2010, Sr. Mary Fran was invited to do a workshop on the Vincentian mission, vision and values for the staff at Depaul USA. She remarked, "I really enjoyed the workshop. I realized that the staff was already imbued with the mission, vision and values and I was able to help them articulate their thoughts."
Sr. Mary Fran began volunteering at Depaul House in November 2010 four days a week, usually from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. "It was important for me to become a member of the community so I can do what I need to be doing. I wanted to stay in touch with the population that Depaul House serves. Depaul House is in many ways a residence, a place where people have their own space. And the staff make the men feel they are at home at Depaul House."
When asked how Sr. Mary Fran spends her time at Depaul House, she explained, "I do anything that is needed. I greet the men, I talk to them, sometimes I make supper for them. I am in a privileged position because I get to know a side of life I wouldn't know otherwise. Part of the constitution of the Daughters of Charity is to have mutual sharing and learn from the people that we serve, and have them learn from us. The men are the most gratifying part of my time at Depaul. I have learned from them what it is like to be homeless, how they view being homeless, and the reasons why some of them have become homeless.
"I see the struggle that many of the men go through in order to become independent. In my experience, it seems that in difficult economic times it is always the poor that suffer. No matter what happens, these guys are loved by God. God sees their potential and doesn't define anyone by the mistakes they may have made.
"I am impressed with the way Depaul USA responds to the needs of the homeless. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the guys at Depaul House."
