Our Small World

Maddie Taslim, a new St. Anthony’s volunteer, recently moved to California from Indonesia to attend college at Santa Clara University. Maddie spent most her life in Jakarta, Indonesia; a city with a vast disparity between poverty and wealth.  Her parents are business owners who encouraged Maddie to serve and to give back to the community.  Maddie wanted to continue helping others as she journeyed to the US; and therefore when she came across the St. Anthony’s website, she signed up to volunteer.

When Maddie arrived in the Dining Room for the first time, she was in awe by the happiness and joy that filled 150 Golden Gate Avenue. When asked what impressed her most, Maddie replied, “I was impressed by how well everything was run in the Dining Room.  Every little detail from signing in to serving trays was well thought out.”

Maddie was also amazed by Saint Anthony’s incredible staff members and dedicated volunteers.  She pointed out, “Staff members are all so friendly, happy, and on point when it comes to being aware of what is going on in the Dining Room.”

The ability to interact with our guests is one of Maddie’s favorite parts about volunteering.  This is why she loves to bus the tables.  She says, “The guests are so polite and thankful, and I like to hear about their life experiences.”  Maddie was most surprised about the amount of well-educated people that now eat in the Dining Room.  She says this realization gave her a perspective on her own life.  Maddie added, “One bad decision or unfortunate situation can completely alter one’s life path.”  Maddie also enjoys talking with the residents of the Father Alfred Center.   They have amazing stories of addiction and recovery but their kindness and openness is what initially impressed Maddie the most.

Through volunteering, Maddie has learned that it is important to always have an open mind and not to judge. Maddie says she has met so many remarkable people with unbelievable stories.  She added, “St. Anthony’s is not only about us giving back, it is about us getting back from the guests.”

Since Maddie arrived in the Dining Room she has doubled the number of days she volunteers each week.  Her goal is to serve at St. Anthony’s long enough to earn her own personalized apron.  Maddie is the happiest when she is in the Dining Room; she claims that luck brought her to St. Anthony’s but the powerful sense of community made her stay.

We wish Maddie the best of luck as she begins her new journey studying Sociology and Accounting at Santa Clara University.  We hope you accomplish all your goals and much, much more.  Keep up the good work!