Leading with Experience: How Veronica’s Lifetime of Volunteerism Shapes St. Anthony’s Best-in-Class Services

October 16, 2024

Veronica Surrette-Fahey’s journey into a lifetime of volunteerism began in her formative years, deeply influenced by her mother’s compassion and commitment to caring for others. Growing up in Boston, she witnessed her mother care for her ailing grandmother, providing end-of-life care at home. This experience left a lasting impact, fostering a strong sense of responsibility toward others.

Veronica recalls her early exposure to community service through volunteering at Rosie’s Place, a women’s shelter in Boston that had also helped her grandmother. As a high school student, she organized a group of classmates to volunteer there, an experience she credits with solidifying her commitment to service and instilling a belief in the dignity of every individual. That belief in dignified service—a cornerstone of both Rosie’s Place and St. Anthony’s—continues to shape her work today.

Her passion for service extended beyond Boston. In middle school, she participated in a service project in Costa Rica, where she not only contributed to community improvement efforts but also immersed herself in the local culture, staying with a Spanish-speaking host family. This early love for service and her deep interest in Spanish shaped her desire to travel and give back to communities outside the U.S.

After college at the University of Redlands in Southern California, Veronica considered joining the Peace Corps but instead opted for AmeriCorps, spending nearly a year traveling across the United States working on projects ranging from tree planting in Illinois to disaster relief in Louisiana. While AmeriCorps provided her with rich experiences, Veronica realized that her passion was rooted in community-building and volunteer engagement. This clarity set her on a path to seek opportunities that aligned more closely with her values.

When Veronica moved to San Francisco in 2017, she decided to continue working professionally in the volunteer field by taking a position at St. Anthony’s as a volunteer coordinator. She fondly recalls her early days managing volunteers in the Free Clothing Program, where she quickly found joy in leading volunteer activities and building relationships with the people she worked alongside.

Veronica’s work at St. Anthony’s has grown significantly over the years, and she now serves as the Senior Manager of Volunteer Services. In this role, she manages a team of engagement and service coordinators and oversees the coordination and recruitment of volunteers, ensuring they have meaningful opportunities to contribute to the organization’s mission. Her favorite part of the job is witnessing the bonds that form among volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and seeing the direct impact they have on St. Anthony’s guests.

In addition to her professional life, Veronica’s passion for yoga plays a pivotal role in maintaining balance. She practices Vinyasa hot yoga regularly, which she credits with helping her stay grounded and mindful. The practice’s principle of “staying curious” influences her approach to both personal challenges and her work at St. Anthony’s, teaching her to navigate difficulties with curiosity instead of frustration. In November, she will travel to Thailand to participate in a yoga retreat, an experience she looks forward to as part of her continued growth. Veronica even plans to pursue her yoga teaching certification in the future, integrating her love for wellness with her commitment to service.

Veronica’s leadership at St. Anthony’s extends beyond managing day-to-day operations—she is deeply committed to cultivating growth within her team. She finds great joy in watching her team members take on new challenges and develop professionally, particularly when they rise from within the St. Anthony’s community.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing people grow within the organization.”

For Veronica, fostering upward mobility and empowering her team to lead is just as important as supporting the volunteers. She views this growth as a testament to the community-building she values so deeply, ensuring that every person who comes to St. Anthony’s has the chance to make meaningful contributions and continue their own journey of development. For Veronica, the ultimate goal is not just to meet the organization’s operational needs but to foster a thriving, interconnected community where everyone is seen, heard, and supported.

In reflecting on her time at St. Anthony’s, Veronica says, “It’s about the people we serve and the community we build together. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and they remind us every day that we’re all connected.” It’s a perspective that has guided her throughout her life and continues to inspire her work at St. Anthony’s.

Volunteering is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference. The personal connections between volunteers and our guests have a profound effect on their health and well-being. Community and human connection are key to healing and thriving. Brighten someone’s day with a simple smile—sign up to volunteer here.