Compassion

Compassion is having an emotional connection for the suffering of others. Our volunteers try to take away or alleviate that painful suffering by preparing a simple meal, stocking pantry shelves or listening intently to someone in need.

We cannot take away the suffering or completely solve the problem, but we can be present and active for others. By being present, we acknowledge a person's life. As volunteers in a growing and ever-changing community, we see the face of fear, the face of helplessness and the face of rejection when we look into the eyes of those we serve. The pain of the poor can mirror our own pain if we allow ourselves to connect and see the similarities in our own lives. We recognize how easy our own circumstances can change by the loss of a job, the death of a family member or the unfortunate chain reaction of a poor economy.

We push forward, connect with others, volunteer our time and financially support agencies that offer help. That's what our volunteers do at the Inter-Faith Council. Our volunteers strive to do their best by committing to a specific area of service, sharing conversation with our clients and embracing compassion and hope in daily service. At the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, we connect volunteers' needs with those needs of the agency. We continue to use our volunteers as catalysts to change the face of homelessness in Orange County.

If you have a story you would like to share about your experience as a volunteer or if you would like to begin your service as a volunteer, please forward your thoughts to volunteer@ifcmailbox.org. Thank you for all that you do as volunteers at the IFC. Until next time...Peace.