When you run a Volunteer Center, the biggest compliment you can get is when one of the volunteers you placed gets nominated by an agency! In 2014, Becky Worden heard about the Volunteer Center at a Wellness Fair; she looked at our website and then called us to find out the next steps. “I first started looking for volunteer opportunities because when I moved here from Janesville, I didn’t know a lot of people,” said Becky. “Volunteering is a way to get out into the community and meet people.”
At the Volunteer Center, we referred her to Acorn Apartments. Acorn Apartments is safe housing for developmentally/physically disabled individuals; it is under the umbrella of Catholic Charities Bureau of Housing. At Acorn Apartments, residents live independently and many are employed by Opportunity Development Center (ODC) or other organizations. They also enjoy opportunities to learn and socialize – that is where volunteers come in!
Acorn Apartments invites volunteers – and groups of volunteers – to teach classes to the residents, such as cooking, organizing households, making crafts, or tips on grocery shopping or grooming, etc. Residents enjoy social activities such as card games, movie nights, cooking demonstrations and summer/holiday parties. Since many are on fixed incomes, they also welcome donations of personal essentials such as soap, shampoo, etc.
For the past four years, Becky has been organizing a monthly bingo night for the residents. She calls bingo, and brings treats and prizes along as well. “It’s their favorite game!” said Becky. “I’ve asked if they would like to play something else and they say ‘NO!’ This is what they want!”
“You can tell they really look forward to that night,” continued Becky. “They don’t have a lot of social outlets.”
Teri Obermeier, director of Acorn Apartments calls her “Becky Bingo” and really appreciates her help. “Becky does a great job with the tenants,” said Teri. “She is reliable and the tenants love her. She even invited all the tenants to her wedding reception when she got married!”
And that’s what volunteering is all about – building relationships. “I like helping people,” added Becky. “It’s also my job to help people. It makes me feel good.”
If you are interested in volunteering at Acorn Apartments, they are currently looking for volunteers to teach a class or organize a social activity. They also like volunteers to decorate the activity room for upcoming holidays. Contact United Way’s Volunteer Center at 715-421-0390 for more information!
- Name: Becky Worden
- Nominating Agency: Catholic Charities Bureau of Housing / Acorn Apartments
- Residence / Family: Becky lives in Port Edwards with her husband Jason
- Occupation: A radiation therapist at Aspirus UW Cancer Center, Becky treats patients with cancer.
- Hobbies and interests: Becky enjoys traveling and hiking; soon she and her husband will be purchasing a hobby farm too!