All You Need To Be Is Available
– February 3, 2017 –
“NEEDED: Available person”
Imagine if that was the only requirement for a job position! To simply be available. Usually there is a more rigorous list of requirements. But for Stuart, who has been volunteering with The Coffee Oasis for well over a year, he believes volunteers need to be only one thing: available.
“For me, it’s just about being available. What
[the kids] appreciate is people just showing up. And they notice who shows up.”
After being encouraged by a Coffee Oasis staff member to volunteer, Stuart attended a training and began volunteering at the Friday Late Nights at the Poulsbo Oasis Center. For over a year he has showed up every other Friday night to play games, talk about the week’s happenings, and eat dinner with the youth. After being at the center and seeing all the activities and the kids coming and going, he knew it was the place to be. “I felt like I was going to be needed. I began to enjoy it. And now I’m stuck!”
As a child, Stuart experienced personal tragedy when he lost his mother. He later lost his father and step mother. Having walked through the pain and loneliness of loss, and known the blessing of people who were available to lean on, he seeks to be there for youth who may be in the same spot. It can be hard, sometimes discouraging. He knows some of the kids are still sleeping in cars or are suffering in bad relationships. “I see some [kids] who are making progress and growing, and some who are still exactly the same.”
But there have been beautiful moments of celebration as well. A month ago one of the Poulsbo youth graduated from his job internship. “Seeing a kid who was so quiet, seeing him smile and be happy. To see him taking this next step forward. That was cool.”
For Stuart, the Oasis Center has become a home that he shares with the youth and other volunteers who come. “There’s love and respect. That’s what makes it home.” There is mutual trust, and hope to see the kids grow and flourish.
“The only thing you really need is to be available,” Stuart says. “To be there. To talk with kids, and the more you are there, the easier it is.” When we are available to listen, available to encourage, or available to sit next to someone who is sitting by their self, then trust begins to grow. Our kids are thankful for volunteers like Stuart who make themselves available to share life and hope.
Encouraging so much! Good job