In honor of Volunteer Awareness Month, we're thrilled to spotlight Brooke, one of our dedicated Shelter Mart volunteers at Safe Alliance. The Shelter Mart, located within our Domestic Violence Shelter, ensures that guests receive essential items such as body wash, diapers, feminine products, and more during their stay. 

Last fiscal year, Safe Alliance volunteers clocked 12,630 hours of service.

Meet Brooke 

Brooke moved to Charlotte in December 2021 and was eager to contribute meaningfully to her new community. Having been personally affected by domestic violence through a close friend in high school, the issue has always been deeply personal for her. A simple online search for a "domestic violence shelter" led her straight to Safe Alliance. With a quick phone call and subsequent training, Brooke began her journey with the organization, ready to make an impact. 

Brooke found that the shelter role perfectly complemented her busy schedule as a paralegal. Each volunteer shift begins with reviewing detailed lists which outline the supplies needed for shelter guests in their care bags.  

Care bags, ensure that each guest has access to the items they need throughout their stay. When guests first arrive, they are provided with a bag full of essential items. Then, every week, guests complete an order form for themselves and their families, selecting personal care items like shampoo, laundry detergent, or baby supplies.  

What makes this system so impactful is its focus on guest choice and empowerment. Instead of staff deciding what each person receives, guests can request specific brands, and if available, they receive them. Volunteers like Brooke then "shop" for these items, filling the bags and ensuring they're either delivered to guests' rooms or left at the front desk for pickup. It is a process much like Instacart, designed to restore a sense of normalcy and autonomy during a time when survivors often feel they have little control. 

Beyond simply distributing supplies, Brooke coordinates with team members to restock items and manages the coordination of assembling care bags. Her commitment ensures that every person who steps through the doors receives not just material aid, but also a sense of dignity and support during a challenging period in their lives.

One particular experience has deeply impacted Brooke. While preparing care bags, she noticed that the intake forms often included details about children, including their ages. One form, however, stood out. A resident had a one-week-old baby. Realizing that this new mother had just left the hospital and immediately sought refuge at the shelter, it highlighted the urgent and profound need for support. This poignant moment reminded Brooke of the severity of the challenges faced by those seeking shelter and underscored the vital role that every act of kindness plays. 

Volunteering at Safe Alliance has reinforced Brooke's sense of gratitude. Despite the weight and occasional heaviness of the work, she finds that volunteering offers unexpected rewards. "Sometimes I will head to the shelter after a frustrating day at work and I am reminded that my problems are not that big of a deal," she shares. Witnessing the strength and resilience of the survivors she supports not only inspires her daily but also reinforces that, in many ways, the act of giving enriches the giver far more than expected. 

For those considering a volunteer role at Safe Alliance, Brooke's advice is simple: Just go for it. She recalls how a quick Google search led her to a fulfilling opportunity, and she encourages others to take that first step. "I have gotten so much out of it. It can sound intimidating, but it is so worth it," she explains. Her experience underscores that, even amid busy lives, volunteering is a worthwhile investment of time and energy. 

Brooke's story is a powerful reminder that volunteering is always worth the time and effort, regardless of how busy life may seem. Whether balancing work, family, or other commitments, dedicating a few hours to help others can be one of the most enriching experiences. Her journey exemplifies the profound impact one person can have and serves as an invitation for everyone to consider lending a hand. 

This Volunteer Awareness Month, we celebrate Brooke, and all Safe Alliance volunteers whose selflessness and dedication transform lives. Their commitment to making a difference inspires us all to give back to our community.