The first day at Florence Crittenton consisted of familiarizing ourselves with the facility, learning about its history, rummaging through and organizing closets, and broadening our horizons to a culture and lifestyle that none of us had ever been so deeply immersed in. Before we entered the facility parking lot, I saw a yellow sign near the entrance that read “safe place”. I wondered if the sign was an accurate depiction of the atmosphere inside.
The Florence Crittenton Volunteer Coordinator Andrea McGhee welcomed the seven of us at the front desk with wide eyes and a big smile. If it had been the first time I met her, I would have never guessed she was the mother of a rambunctious kindergartener and over the age of thirty. Her young and warm heart instantly made us feel relatable to her and I could see she had the same effect on the residents of Florence Crittenton. Andrea had a kind of joy and energy that I rarely encountered and as she dove into the history of Florence Crittenton, it was apparent that these traits emerged from a true appreciation and passion for her career, coworkers and clients.
Andrea assigned us with several tasks for our first day: organizing and taking inventory of the linen closet, the holiday storage closets, and the game closet. Another alternative break volunteer, Molly, and I tackled the linen closet. As we scattered bed sheets, towels, baby blankets, fleece throws, and quilts along the hallway outside of the closet, staff and residents who walked by slowed their pace to get a look at what we were doing and who we are.
Some passing residents asked if I was moving into Florence Crittenton. Having been asked this question shocked me initially, but as the day went on, I remembered this is a place that welcomes women from all different paths of life – some that come from personal choices and others that simply result from the life one is born into.
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