Day 3: Jesuit Volunteers Helping Those in Need

On Day 3 of National Volunteering Month, we highlight the special role played by Jesuit volunteers in St. Anthony’s work with those in need.

Maria is a Jesuit who has spent a year working in our Tech Lab through a program that matches those with a desire to serve with organizations that help underprivileged people.

She is the eighth Jesuit volunteer to work at St. Anthony’s. It’s hard to exaggerate the profound impact technology training can have on people’s lives. Maria’s time at St. Anthony’s is testament to this.

“A guest visited us to take our basic computer skills class,” says Maria. “During his orientation he told me that he had been in prison for 20 years, and he needed to learn how to use a computer because technology has changed so much while he was incarcerated.

“He could have gotten frustrated or discouraged by all the years he missed, but he kept working and asking questions in those classes.

“He had a huge smile on his face the whole time he was working and, whenever I saw him, he’d excitedly tell me about something new he had learned. He was astounded at what you can do on the computer. His warmth and enthusiasm really inspired me.”

Many guests start the beginner class with no computer experience but they make quick progress.

“Just the other day, a fairly new guest to the lab stopped by the front desk and said, ‘I can’t even begin to express to you how thankful I am that this lab exists and how much it’s changing my life.’ That made my day!”

Would you be able to teach basic computer skills in our Tech Lab? Why not visit www.St.AnthonySF.org/Volunteer or call 415-592-2794.

If you would like to know more about volunteering opportunities in our Tech Lab please visit www.StAnthonySF.org/Volunteer or call 415-592-2794.