A veces me preguntan, "¿Por qué trabajas para una organización sin fines de lucro? You could make so much more in the private sector.” I usually answer in a manner that includes the idea that we live comfortably and then talk about the work being rewarding in other ways. I had an experience like that this week.

El Centro de Calentamiento Wausau Comunidad dispone de duchas. We have made those showers accessible over the summer to people who don’t have facilities available to them. One fellow has been coming for showers on a weekly basis for the past few months, so I have gotten to know him. Las primeras veces que entró en, he was disruptive. Su presencia en la oficina causado algo de estrés ... y él estaba exigiendo. By the time he left after his first visit, se sentía frustrado y nos frustra. I didn’t expect to see him again.

Unas semanas más tarde, se produjo en. He was greeted with a smile and he was a bit less disruptive. He still required some extra assistance, but all went well. When he came in this week, era como un viejo amigo caminando por la puerta. We greet each other by name and we got him what he needed for a shower. I don’t think he comes in just for a shower and supplies, Creo que viene a hablar. Él viene a estar entre amigos. He comes in because he knows he is loved.

This week he was repacking his clothes into a garbage bag to hopefully keep them dry during the predicted rain storm (vive solo en una tienda de campaña). Hablamos mientras empacaba. He figured out we are close in age and talked about things we share because of being in high school at the same time.

Cuando llegó la hora de que me aparto de él, él me miró con sus ojos azules cansados, his tone of voice became serious and he said, "Gracias amigo! Lo digo de verdad ".

Ese fue uno de esos momentos gratificantes. Algunos momentos son más conmovedora, others less. These simple rewards come to our volunteers as well. Un voluntario me dijo una vez, “I think I get more out of volunteering here than I give.” We don’t work here or volunteer here in expectation of moments like the one I described, pero cuando vienen a lo largo de, que están recompensando.

La próxima vez que vea a mi amigo, Voy a tener que decir, "Gracias amigo!"

Deacon Bryan Hilts
Asociado en Desarrollo & Inmigración Case Manager