Volunteers - Valentine
Hey! My name is Valentine and I am a 22 year-old New Jersey native. I recently graduated from Rutgers University this past May where I majored in Sociology, minored in Psychology, and received a certificate in Criminology. I love to listen to loud music, read and write poetry, get together with friends, and sleep.
My placement is at Catholic Charities where I do everything from interviewing clients, assessing their needs and connecting them with resources to stocking pantries and organizing community events. I work at three different pantries, which are located in South Buffalo, Lackawanna, and the Perry Projects. I love working there because the Sisters and fellow volunteers truly care about the people they are servicing. On top of that, I have found that the clients we work with are wonderful, warm-hearted people. The great thing about working at Catholic Charities is the fact that in addition to meeting emergency needs, we also try to find ways to empower our clients by encouraging them to use their skills and gifts.
When I found the CCSC, I felt like it was an answer to my prayers. It gave me the opportunity to focus on the things that I feel are the most important in life: spirituality, simplicity, community, and social justice. So far, this has been a challenging and amazing experience. I can't wait to see what develops within myself and those around me as we journey through this year of growth!