The Cyber Chapter has announced its Community Service Initiative for 2025-2026.  As a unique chapter that spans across various regions, we have crafted a plan that allows us to come together in spirit and make a significant impact in our communities.  We have decided to focus on these areas for the remainder of 2025:

QTR2 (April-June) Homelessness – activities can include volunteering at local food banks, pantries, or shelters, making and distributing food and/or toiletries, and more.

QTR3 (July-September) Kids & Youth

QTR4 (October-December) Hunger

As we just wrapped up the 2^nd Quarter, we wanted to share a little about our focus for the last three months.  In every city, there are individuals who face the harsh reality of homelessness.  While the reasons for homelessness are varied and complex, the solution begins with compassion and action.  Volunteering at a homeless shelter or food kitchen is a powerful way to give back to the community.  It provides essential services to those in need and fosters a sense of empathy and community among volunteers.

Volunteering to help the homeless in your community can be a transformative experience, not only for those receiving the help, but also for the volunteers themselves.

There are many ways that you can aid the homeless in your community:

1. Volunteer at shelters: many local shelters need help with tasks like serving meals, organizing donations, or providing administrative support.
2. Create care packages: Assemble and distribute care packages with essentials like toiletries, snacks and water.
3. Donate supplies: Shelters and food banks often need items like clothing, bedding and non-perishable food. Food kitchens that serve meals also take perishable and non-perishable food items.
4. Support outreach programs: join or support street outreach teams that provide essential services directly to people living on the streets.

Below Jodi shares about her family’s experience and how volunteering has changed their lives and their outlook on homelessness.

Jodi and her family started a new endeavor recently.  They were blessed with extra property when they built their new home after returning to Louisiana.  Jodi’s husband felt a calling to help the less fortunate in their community and began a community garden.  2025 is the first year they planted, and they are still learning about gardening.  They planted corn and okra.  They harvested the corn in early June and were able to donate 2 boxes and two sacks of corn to their local food kitchen, St. Joseph’s Diner.  They were also able to cook down and donate packages of corn to other families.

Jodi’s husband, Troy admits that donating to St. Joseph Diner was very moving for him and the produce was very well received.  It has changed the way that he views homelessness.  So much so that they have vowed to do more in the next growing season and they are looking for other ways to help their community.

Volunteering can have a positive impact on the volunteers in the following ways:

1. Personal Growth and Development
   • Empathy and Compassion: Volunteering helps develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by homeless individuals, fostering empathy and compassion.
   • Skill Development: Volunteers often acquire new skills, such as cooking, organizing, and communication, which can be beneficial in their personal and professional lives.
   • Sense of Purpose: Contributing to a meaningful cause provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment, enhancing overall well-being.
2. Community Engagement
   • Building Connections: Volunteering creates opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and builds a supportive community network.
   • Raising Awareness: Volunteers can help raise awareness about homelessness and the importance of community support, encouraging others to get involved.
3. Positive Impact on Mental Health
   • Reducing Stress: Engaging in volunteer work can reduce stress and anxiety by focusing on helping others.
   • Boosting Happiness: Acts of kindness and service are known to increase happiness and life satisfaction.

Hear from Kimberly as she shares her experience of serving the homeless in her community.

Volunteering also has a positive impact on the homeless, the organizations you are assisting, and ultimately your community, including:

1. Meeting Immediate Needs
   • Providing Essential Services: Shelters and food kitchens offer critical services such as meals, shelter, and hygiene facilities to those in need.
   • Ensuring Safety: These organizations provide a safe environment for homeless individuals, protecting them from the dangers of living on the streets.
2. Long-Term Support and Rehabilitation
   • Access to Resources: Shelters often provide access to resources such as job training, healthcare, and counseling, helping individuals work towards self-sufficiency.
   • Building Trust: Consistent support helps build trust between the organization and the individuals they serve, which is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
3. Community Impact
   • Reducing Homelessness: By addressing the immediate and long-term needs of homeless individuals, shelters and food kitchens play a vital role in reducing homelessness in the community.
   • Promoting Social Responsibility: These organizations encourage a culture of social responsibility and community involvement, inspiring others to contribute to the cause.

Hear from Terri about how she feels that helping the homeless in her community benefits them.

It is estimated that over 40,000 Veterans in the United States who have experienced homelessness.  Difficulties transitioning back to civilian life, social isolation, and the complex VA system contribute to this issue.  These Veterans are often forgotten and rarely receive the help they need.  That changed for me and for Denenberg Tuffley last year.

I have been an administrator at Denenberg Tuffley for 18 years, since the firm started in 2007.  Each year we choose a charity, such as Adopt-A-Family, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners, and The Bottomless Toy Chest.  Last year during a conversation at our firm’s kids Halloween party with Terance Sims, the fiancé to one of our secretaries, I learned about the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM).  Terance had just started a new job working for the DRMM as the Director of Safety and Wellness.  He spoke with hope and excitement about his new job but also with sadness when describing the veteran’s facility in Highland Park.

The DRMM is a non-denominational, charitable organization that was founded in 1909 that provides food, shelter, drug treatment programs and hope for the homeless.  It has been operating in Detroit and surrounding communities for over 100 years.  In 2011, DRMM opened a permanent housing program for veterans called 211 Glendale.  This facility can house up to 60 veterans, providing meals, temporary shelter, and low cost one-bedroom apartments.   Last December, we had the opportunity to meet and serve some incredible people at 211 Glendale who had honorably served in the military.

We coordinated with Terance and the incredible staff at DRMM to host a holiday luncheon and celebration with the veterans at 211 Glendale.  The day before the luncheon, we decorated the lobby and community room to make it festive.  We collected money to buy gift bags filled with essential items like winter hats, gloves, toiletries, and gift cards.  We also donated two 75-inch screen TV’s, games, and books for each of their facility lounges.

During the luncheon, we met and talked with veterans who have served our country.  They shared their stories, some of which were trying to find a way back, dealing with the VA bureaucratic red tape, waiting on job applications, or struggling with PTSD or depression.  Some have families who love them but were not yet able to make the transition home.  The experience touched my heart and made all of us look at homelessness with more understanding and compassion.

Terri states that it is her belief that it is our responsibility as people to watch out for, help, and protect those who cannot help themselves. Our veterans tend to be a group that people overlook as being homeless and needing our help.  Whether it is hosting a luncheon, packing food boxes, donating clothes, time, or money it, or just sitting and sharing a meal talking – – it all makes a difference.  And it is important that we make those opportunities count to show our appreciation for the blessings we have been given to bless others in need – especially those who have served our country and put their lives as risk protecting us.

In conclusion, volunteering to serve the homeless in our communities is a rewarding experience that benefits both the volunteers and the community.  Every bit of help counts and can make a significant difference in someone’s life.  By sharing these experiences and insights, we hope to inspire more people to get involved and make a positive impact.