All of our volunteers bring special talents and strengths to the Poverello Center, but one outstanding community member brings skills that go above and beyond. Michael David has been volunteering with the Poverello Center for seven months. He started volunteering with the Street Dog Coalition, an organization which hosts pop-up veterinary clinics at the Poverello Center and Johnson Street Emergency Shelter every month. He continues to work with the Street Dog Coalition, but through that work, Michael became interested in the work that the Poverello Center does.
He began going on shifts with the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), and saw the reality for people living unsheltered in Missoula. Over the course of 2023, Michael accumulated over 90 volunteer hours, and continues to volunteer once a week.
In addition to working with the HOT Team, Michael began volunteering at the Poverello Center and Johnson Street front desks. Working at the front desk requires knowledge of shelter policy, understanding of the space, and an open and active attitude. Although he is one of the only volunteers who works in this role, Michael says it’s his favorite spot to work: “Working with the staff is nice, developing relationships with clients is great. It’s the right thing to do, to spend time with people. Your time is the most valuable thing you have and it’s important to give it to people who are worth it.”
In addition to spending time at the front desk, Michael utilized his skills in website development to create a comprehensive list of resources in Missoula. He created missoulacares.org, which lists dozens of local resources including addiction services, shelter services, food resources, and more. He is also working with another volunteer, Sam, who developed needhelpmissoula.org, a similar resource. Michael says he hopes to combine the two websites so that people can see one big resource list and easily find the help they need. He shared a story of meeting a woman who came to the Poverello Center needing shoes for the cold season. “It’s really nice to be able to help folks who are able to say what they need, and you can get them a pair of shoes, something tangible like that.” He hopes the website will provide ways for people to connect with resources to get the tangible items and help they need.
Michael encourages people to start volunteering if they feel interested. “Start somewhere like the HOT Team, or the kitchen. Then see where it takes you,” he says, noting that some positions are easier to start in than others, but that every part of the shelter provides a rewarding experience. Overall, he says his time at the Poverello Center can be summed up by one statement: “I’m under no preconceptions that I can fix everything. But it’s about helping where I can and being a part of the web of people who help.”
To volunteer at the Poverello Center, visit thepoverellocenter.org/volunteer, or email eskilton@thepoverellocenter.org.