Volunteer in Houston Housing and Shelter for Homeless Today

The day started early, as these things usually do. By 8 AM, our volunteers were already gathering, emptying vans and cars and vans with everything for the day. The smell of BBQ chicken was already filling the air. But it wasn’t just about the food, though that certainly played a big part. This was about showing up for our residents in a meaningful way.

RoseMary’s Place is our new permanent supportive housing facility for 149 residents for an alternative to the streets. It’s a fresh start and a supportive environment for those in need, dedicated to providing dignified housing solutions and services for our community dealing with homelessness.

I could feel the energy from the moment the volunteers arrived. You could see it in the way they immediately started organizing themselves – some heading to the prep area to help organize the food, others setting up tables and chairs, and still others organizing the care packages they’d assembled. There’s something beautiful about watching a group of people working together in this setting before naturally fall into a rhythm of service.

Photo: Raymond Hall, RoseMary’s Place PSH Case Manager, thanked the volunteers just before service began

The BBQ chicken was definitely a hit. We planned for a crowd, but even so, seeing the residents lined up, eager to dig in, was exciting. Plate after plate went out, accompanied by all the sides that make a meal feel complete – macaroni & cheese, baked beans, and cajun rice, as well as bread and fresh rolls. Even a slice of cake! Our volunteers served with smiles, taking time to chat with each resident who came through the line, treating everyone with the dignity and respect that every person deserves.

But what struck me most wasn’t just the efficiency of our meal service – it was the genuine connections being made. I watched as volunteers begin to relax and engage in real conversations with the people they were serving. There was laughter, there were shared stories, and there was a sense of community that went far beyond the simple transaction of serving food.

The care packages were another highlight of the day. They contained mostly household cleaning supplies that help make a home feel healthy and loved. Each package was truly an act of caring.

Watching people line up to receive these packages was incredibly moving. You could see the appreciation in their eyes, not just for the practical items, but for the thoughtfulness behind them.

The prayer component of the service was handled with particular sensitivity. A dedicated prayer station made it clear that prayer was available for anyone who wanted it, but never pushed or pressured. Some of our volunteers simply made themselves available, showing that they were happy to pray with anyone who was interested. Others incorporated prayer naturally into their conversations, asking if there was anything specific they could pray for.

What I found remarkable was how many people immediately felt comfortable asking for prayer. Not everyone, certainly, but more than I had expected. There were prayers for personal issues, and sometimes just for hope. Our volunteers prayed with people right there in the serving area, creating these small pockets of spiritual connection in the midst of all the activity.

The goodwill that our volunteers brought to this experience was perhaps the most important ingredient of all. This wasn’t about charity in the traditional sense – this was about neighbor connecting with neighbor. Our volunteers came with open hearts and open minds, ready to learn as much as they were ready to serve. They listened to stories, they asked questions, and they treated everyone they encountered as a person with inherent worth and dignity. All while serving 50 meals in an hour.

The logistics of the day went surprisingly smoothly. With more than twenty volunteers, we’d been concerned about coordination in the small space. But the variety of tasks – food prep, serving, prayer, care package distribution and cleanup – meant that everyone could contribute according to their skills and comfort level. Some volunteers gravitated toward the kitchen work, others preferred the direct interaction of serving, and still others excelled at the organizational aspects of managing supplies and cleanup.

RoseMary’s Place staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful throughout the day. They oriented our volunteers to their procedures, helped us understand the needs of the community they serve, and worked alongside us to make sure everything ran smoothly. It was a true partnership, not just our church coming in to “help” but all of us working together toward the same goal.

Photo: POWH volunteer leaders Willie and Amber Lago, Veralisa Hunter, Resident Services Manager at RoseMary’s Place, and Dee, one of our residents

As the morning wound down and volunteers began cleaning up, there was a sense of satisfaction that went beyond just having completed a good deed. Our volunteers had experienced something meaningful – they’d connected with their community in a new way, they’d learned about issues they might not have understood before, and they’d discovered that service isn’t just about giving but also about receiving.

This kind of service experience doesn’t happen by accident. It requires planning, preparation, and a willingness to step outside comfort zones. But when it works – when a group of people comes together with genuine hearts and practical skills – it creates something that benefits everyone involved.

The impact on our community has been significant too. In the days since Saturday, there have been ongoing conversations about what we learned, what we might do differently, and how we can continue to serve in meaningful ways. Some of the volunteers have expressed interest in becoming regulars at RoseMary’s Place.

Looking back on the day, what stands out most is the joy. Yes, we were serving people experiencing difficult circumstances, and yes, we were confronting realities about poverty and homelessness that can be challenging. But there was genuine joy in the connections made, in the shared meal, feelings of generosity rather than scarcity, in the simple act of people caring for one another.

This experience reminded all of us why community service matters, not just for the people being served but for those doing the serving. It connected us to our larger community, it challenged some of our assumptions, and it gave us concrete ways to live out our values of compassion and service.

As we look toward future service opportunities, this Saturday at RoseMary’s Place will serve as a benchmark. We learned that with good planning, willing volunteers, and open hearts, we can make a real difference in our community. More than that, we learned that service isn’t just about what we give – it’s about what we receive in return, and about the connections that make us all more human.

The BBQ chicken was delicious, the care packages were practical and meaningful, and the prayers were heartfelt. But what made the day truly special was the spirit of goodwill that our volunteers brought to every interaction. That’s something you can’t plan or organize – it’s something that comes from the heart, and it’s something that makes all the difference in the world.