Thank you to all of those who contributed to making Giving Children Hope’s gala, Voyage of Hope, a success!

On October 10, guests who attended were able to take a Voyage of Hope and help make a difference in a child’s life. They enjoyed fine dining, a silent and live auction, and dancing.

If you attended the event “click here”:http://www.pictage.com/client/registration.do?event=564871 to order portraits and candid photos taken at the gala.

If you were unable to attend, “view the photos”:www.pictage.com/564871 from the event and be a part of the excitement next year!

We look forward to your long-term dedication to Giving Children Hope.

Jackie Rocheleau of Goodwill has been taking volunteers to participate at Giving Children Hope for the last three years. Jackie takes volunteers who have a lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities to obtain valuable working experience by being a volunteer.

Read the interview with Jackie and how she is making a difference at Giving Children Hope and in the lives of the people she brings to volunteer. She gives a mix of her perspective and perspective from her current group of participants, Bin, Rosa, Cheryl, and Maria:

*How long have you been leading a team of volunteers at Giving Children Hope?*
3 years

*What has been your favorite experience while volunteering here?*
Everything. It is always something different so it’s NEVER boring. The girls learn a lot. They now know what it means to help someone who is incapable of helping themselves. They gain life experiences here that they could gain nowhere else.

*How has leading this team of volunteers effected you?*
Since my kids have grown, and I don’t always see my grand kids, these girls have filled an empty spot in my life that was once empty. It is fun to see the participants grow.

*What difference or improvements do you see your participants have made since their first day volunteering?*
They are like flowers that have bloomed. They appreciate what they can contribute. They also help one another like they are family.

*What seems to be their favorite activity?*
Sorting as well as seeing all the different kinds of product there is to sort. They like helping people, and helping Marius [the warehouse manager].

*Jackie adds:*
This never feels like work. We love it here at Giving Children Hope.

*Melissa Strauss, Volunteer Coordinator, gives feedback on these valuable volunteers:*

It is rare that a nonprofit organization can retain the same group of volunteers over such a long period. It has been such a joy to feel the benefits that come from these volunteers’ consistency. Being not about the work, but relationships, time is the essential key in truly getting to know someone. It has been a privilege to get to know Bin, Rosa, Cheryl, and Maria. Bin comes in and is ready to work. She will find the project before you even tell her what the day holds. Getting to know Rosa has forced me to brush up on my Spanish. I try to practice while asking her how she’s doing. She has a darling, comical side that makes me smile every time I am around her. Cheryl is famous for her hats. I tease her that she is trying to bring the 80′s back. Maria loves Tweety Bird and butterflies. She always wears a smile and she loves to help every chance she gets. Jackie, the group’s leader, is always proud to see her participants grow and learn. She leads with love, grace, patience, and strength.

Goodwill is North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Last year, local Goodwills collectively provided employment and training services to more than 1.1 million individuals.

Thank you Jackie, Bin, Rosa, Cheryl and Maria!

Now that is the Power of YOU!