It’s National Volunteer Recognition Week, and every day this week we’ll be highlighting a Sanctuary volunteer being honored at our Pillars of Change Volunteer Recognition event on May 5th. Learn more and register for Pillars of Change.

Hilda Sanchez has been volunteering with Sanctuary for Families for more than two years.

Hilda was initially connected to the organization through her friend and Sanctuary staff member, Sandra Cabal.

“I learned from Sandra about the services Sanctuary provides to support clients in times of crisis, and I was inspired to take action and get involved as a volunteer,” recounts Hilda.

Over the past two years, Hilda has dedicated her time to Sanctuary’s Clinical Administration team, where she spends up to twenty hours per week assisting with critical data entry work, scanning and filling client files, and a variety of other tasks as needed.

Hilda takes on her volunteering responsibility with pride and devotion. “Thanks to Hilda we have been able to become more organized,” says Sandra.

“Because she helps with the things that usually get pushed for later (i.e. filing, scanning, creating electronic files, archiving closed files, etc.), we are able to focus on deadlines and other work that requires our immediate attention.

“More than a volunteer Hilda has become part of our team and we feel pride when staff often comment of her dedication and tells us how lucky we are to have her around.”

Sandra’s feelings of pride and thankfulness for Hilda are very much mutual.

“It is an honor to work with my colleagues in Clinical Administration,” Hilda says.

We are so grateful to Hilda for her incredible service, and look forward to honoring her at Pillars of Change on May 5, 2016.

You can join us at Pillars of Change by registering now. We hope to see you there!

It’s National Volunteer Recognition Week, and every day this week we’ll be highlighting a Sanctuary volunteer being honored at our Pillars of Change Volunteer Recognition event on May 5th. Learn more and register for Pillars of Change.

Kate Bieber Ogg has been involved as a Sanctuary volunteer on and off for nearly 10 years.

Kate first heard about Sanctuary in 2000 through her interest in issues surrounding gender violence and women’s rights. She began volunteering with other organizations tackling those issues during her college career, and officially began volunteering with Sanctuary in 2002 as a law student participating in the Courtroom Advocates Project.

“I believe in the importance of telling our community, and showing my children, that gender issues are crucial in today’s society,” says Kate. “Organizations like Sanctuary demonstrate that we will not turn a blind eye to the pervasive issues of gender violence.”

Over the years, Kate primarily volunteered as a ‘Holiday Helper’ during the holiday season, simultaneously contributing to the Adopt-a-Family Program and other various events. In 2014, she decided to increase her commitment to the organization and began volunteering two days a week within the Development Department.

Kate has provided tremendous help in organizing events, reaching out to current and prospective donors, doing research, and tracking and thanking supporters.

“I love hearing about the positive experiences of staff and clients alike, but I find it most rewarding to spread the word about Sanctuary’s work,” Kate says.

“Whenever I have the opportunity to speak to someone who has never heard of Sanctuary, and the conversation eventually turns into ongoing support in the form of a donation or volunteering, I know my work is meaningful.”

By giving her time as a volunteer, Kate has learned that the power of people to organizations like Sanctuary is critical.

We are so grateful to Kate for her incredible service, and look forward to honoring her at Pillars of Change on May 5, 2016.

You can join us at Pillars of Change by registering now. We hope to see you there!