Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight: Jerry, Lex, and Potter
As we recognize all of our wonderful volunteers this week, we sat down to speak with three of our most active volunteers: Jerry, Lex, and Potter. Check out our conversations with them below!
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer yourself, you can learn more at our Volunteer page.
Jerry C.
What are some of your favorite things?
Volunteering ranks high on my list of favorite things to do. Trying new foods. Visiting new areas of the city like the Pullman neighborhood recently.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I fill much of my free time with volunteering. It means a lot to me and it’s something I always make time for.
Why do you like volunteering?
I say what I don’t have in money, I have in time. So, I’m giving back in the form of time as much as I can. I grew up in the housing projects of Chicago and faced food and housing needs as a child. So giving back as much as I do is, in my eyes, a way of returning what the community gave to me.
How long have you been volunteering with HBH?
Several years, not sure the exact length of time.
How did you hear about HBH?
I had volunteered here with a group doing safer sex kits and decided to stay on as an independent volunteer.
What is your favorite campaign, program, or service we offer?
The ability for people to use vouchers in the Brown Elephant stores for things like clothing, shoes, and household items.
Do you have a favorite memory with HBH?
Everyday day I volunteer is a favorite memory, especially with my friends at the Brown Elephant Andersonville.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still volunteering?
Still giving back, here at Howard Brown and the many other places throughout Chicago that I volunteer for such as PAWS, The American Red Cross, The Chicago Food Bank, and numerous food pantries across the city.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone who is interested in volunteering with Howard Brown Health?
Complete the process, ask a current volunteer what experiences they’ve had, jump right in.
What are your hobbies?
Hiking, taking pictures of flowers and landscapes, and travel.
Lex M.
What are some of your favorite things?
Some of my favorite things are my cats, plants, and equitable healthcare access!
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to design and sew my own clothes, run, and try out different coffee shops.
Why do you like volunteering?
I like volunteering because I think it helps bring the community together. Volunteering has allowed me to meet so many great people, and I really appreciate forming those relationships with other people that have similar goals. I also like that volunteering, hopefully, helps to make HBH workers jobs slightly easier as they are doing such important work.
How long have you been volunteering with HBH?
I’ve been volunteering with HBH for nearly 1.5 years
How did you hear about HBH?
I heard of HBH through research to which Howard Brown Health has contributed.
What is your favorite campaign, program, or service we offer?
I think all of the programs and services offered by HBH are absolutely essential and integral pieces in keeping our community healthy, but my favorite is the Howard Brown Health Workers United. We have to support those supporting our communities. The Union is doing an inspiring job of working to ensure HBHs actions align with their mission statement.
Do you have a favorite memory with HBH?
A favorite memory with HBH is working in the BEB section at Brown Elephant and getting to see all the interesting and odd items that come are donated (beautiful coats, cryptic letters, locks of hair, etc.)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still volunteering?
I can see myself still volunteering in outreach settings with HBH in five years.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone who is interested in volunteering with Howard Brown Health?
Advice that I would give to someone interested in volunteering with HBH is – do it! Everyone I’ve met through volunteering with HBH has been a real positive energy in my life.
Potter
What are some of your favorite things?
Quality time at the gym, fitness, time with friends, and food (pizza).
What do you like to do in your free time?
Looking up new vineyards to try and running.
Why do you like volunteering?
Volunteering aligns with my values and morals with the individual I’m becoming.
How long have you been volunteering with HBH?
A little over two years.
How did you hear about HBH?
Asking questions, writing the medical community, and doing my own research.
What is your favorite campaign, program, or service we offer?
Sex education and sexual abuse counseling.
Do you have a favorite memory with HBH?
Certainly being at theWit hotel and having dialogue with my peers about other
volunteer experiences.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still volunteering?
Stupid question, volunteering with Howard Brown Health.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone who is interested in volunteering with Howard Brown Health?
Trust the process and be open to be vulnerable and continue to grow and be humble
What are your hobbies?
In my free time, I like to spend my time outside, traveling, finding new taco spots or
pizza, reading novels, volunteering, and fitness.