Volunteer Spotlight

Michelle Reidy has been volunteering since she was just 10 years old. Last year alone she spent 450 hours volunteering. She has volunteered around the Lafayette, Oxford, University community at the Interfaith Compassion Ministries, Doors of Hope Transition Ministries (DOHTM) and the Oxford Food Pantry.

Currently, Michelle is working part time at the Doors of Hope Transition Ministries, an organization that helps guide homeless families and at-risk homeless families in Lafayette County become more independent and stable. They help these families through life-skills training, mentoring and supportive housing.

Michelle has been volunteering since a very young age. She got her love for volunteering from her parents, who were very active in giving back to the community. She says that at a young age she found that it was important for her to be able to share her skills in a way that could help her community.

“The advice I would give people who want to get involved is to take a skill you have and match it to an organization that needs that kind of help,” says Michelle Reidy, this month’s Volunteer Spotlight. “It can be specialized, like website help, or as simple as serving food, listening, or offering compassion and a smile. I believe that pushing yourself to get involved with something that you may not think you are good at can also be rewarding.” Michelle believes that helping other people feel good about themselves, makes you feel just as good about yourself.

Every month the DOHTM hosts a monthly donation drive to help the homeless families in Lafayette County. They are always in need of volunteers to help pass out wish lists and spread the word about their organization. Most Lafayette County residents do not know that there is even a homeless population in Oxford, so DOHTM needs help in making community members aware of such an amazing cause. Doors of Hope is also needing volunteers to help the families move in and out of their temporary housing, provided by the program.

If you are interested in donating household items, helping clean and move families in and out of apartments, or helping spread the word about the DOHTM, please contact Michelle Reidy at [email protected].

 By Caitlin Vaughn