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Randy has been a volunteer with Freedom House since 2017. From providing meals with his congregation, to facilitating evening programs, Randy has been a devoted and passion-driven volunteer. He continues to support Freedom House by providing Front Desk coverage every Friday!
What inspired you to get involved with Freedom House?
When I accepted a call to become pastor of Community Congregational Church in Kewaunee back in 2005, Freedom House was one of the local ministries the church supported. There were monthly financial donations, twice-a-year meals served, and once-a-year month-long drives to collect items from the Wish List. I was part of a number of those meal service teams during my years at the church.
When I semi-retired and moved to Green Bay to help my mother, I took an apartment just down the road from Freedom House—which was halfway between my place and mom’s condo. I would drive by multiple times a week. When my sister retired from teaching and was available to share responsibilities with my mom, I was looking for something worthwhile to do with my time. I saw a Facebook post one day that Freedom House was looking for front desk receptionists. I had served small churches where I answered the phones, answered the door, and such, so I thought, “I can do that.” And I thought I could bring a pastoral, caring presence to the work, and I loved that the core values were Biblical values. I felt that I would be someone at the desk who would treat residents with the dignity, respect, and kindness that they might be lacking in their lives. When I interviewed for the role, I was sold.
Can you share a moment of impact that stands out to you from your time serving?
Wow. I think every time I hear that one of our families found a place to live, it is a moment of impact.
There is one phone call I took shortly after I started volunteering that stands out. At the time, Freedom House was only serving families in Brown County, and this call came from a woman in the Fox Valley, so I knew from the start that we wouldn’t be able to help her family. I was on the phone with her for 25 minutes, simply listening to her story. As a pastor, I knew that sometimes people just need someone who will listen, so I did. I still remember, eight years later, that she thanked me for listening before she hung up.
It’s the phone calls. Every time I take a call from someone looking for shelter for their family and I tell them that Freedom House is full, and there is a waiting list, I hear the tears, the desperation, the frustration, and the resignation. Each one of those calls takes a little piece of my soul, because I wish there was something I could do.
How has volunteering at Freedom House shaped your understanding of homelessness and the families served?
There are so many different stories that people have shared how they ended up calling Freedom House looking for shelter. Throw out generalizations. Throw out stereotypes. Each family has its own unique story. The program director when I started volunteering got me interested in taking a deeper dive into the homelessness issue in general, and in Green Bay in particular. I started going to workshops and panel discussions. I read books about the issue. I already sensed the issue was complicated, but now I have a better understanding of issues of affordability and availability in the housing market, as well as now being aware of some of the other barriers families face in finding a place for their families. Volunteering at Freedom House has really opened my eyes.
