I have been volunteering at Andre House for the last 20+ years as a “Thursday Night – Bean Burrito Night” server (3 to 4 times per year) – typically on “Line 2 – beans”! I have always been amazed at the dedication of the staff and volunteers and their goal to extend “hospitality” to their guests. Over the years I have seen many changes and improvements as priests and staff come and go, and from time to time I enjoy going on a tour to see “what’s new”. A month or so ago I went on such a tour guided by a former homeless man. He gave the tour from a new perspective – one who had been a “guest” of Andre House. As we toured the facilities, he emphasized how important it was to be treated with dignity and be given choices; for example – selecting clothes from the clothes closet or being asked whether he/she wants beans on Thursday when being served dinner! As part of the tour, he pointed to a pile of back packs and said they are one of the most coveted items to a homeless person; it made me realize that they probably carry their world’s possessions on their backs….
So….for a recent GC Company meeting I invited my team to participate in a “backpack” drive! There were nearly 30 of us from different areas of the country and world bringing backpacks as part of our ongoing “meeting needs” culture (we typically partner with an organization in need whenever we meet as a group). I was inspired that day by the Spirit to act and I’m sure my tour guide wasn’t even aware of it; but that is how the Spirit works! So, on an upcoming Thursday night you might see me at Andre House delivering those backpacks brought from people around the world and serving beans on Line 2 with my HQ team!
Pat Durocher, CEO & Founder
Global Cynergies, LLC
Meeting Needs