Ted volunteers to beat the heat
By Marcela Beltran
Ted Hill had always been stable. Steady work, always housed, he even had community. But he suddenly found himself struggling when he unexpected lost his job. Financial struggles eventually caught up to him, leaving him alone and experiencing homelessness. His only recourse was to find shelter on the streets. That’s when St. Vincent de Paul opened its doors and offered him a place of refuge.
“I thought I had other options for myself, but God had a different plan, and he directed me here to SVdP,” Ted said.
During his time at SVdP's Phoenix Dining Room (PDR) overnight shelter, Ted gained access to a supportive community and encouragement to help rebuild his life. He attended AA meetings held within the dining halls, helping him maintain his sobriety.
Ted also volunteers his time, giving back to the same community that supports him while finding relief from the extreme summer heat.
“There are benefits to volunteering. We come in early and get out of the heat right away, and every week we get a small gift card,” Ted said. “It may not seem like a big deal, but it is when you don’t have a job. That gift card is the highlight of our week.”
These incentives, though small, provide meaningful motivation for shelter guests to get through their day. Another one of the most important benefits of volunteering is immediate relief from the heat.
“It’s 118 degrees,” Ted said. “Someone could be passing away outside because they don’t have a place to stay.”
He helps set up overnight shelter services, such as preparing 170 cots for incoming guests, and assists with cleanup and breakdown of the overnight shelter area once 5 a.m. arrives.
Because he helps set up the shelter space, Ted gets in hours before the doors open at 6 p.m. After his tasks are finished, Ted typically rests under the A/C and uses the resources available to him to continue focusing on his job search.
He also sees it as his responsibility to support others experiencing homelessness, offering encouragement and urging them to volunteer.
“I don’t do it for any kind of recognition. I don’t do it for money. I do it to give back to the community,” Ted said. “Now that I’ve had the experience of being homeless and not having a lot of support on the outside, I realize the importance of helping others.”
In the past, Ted worked as a senior insurance agent and later worked in management. Now, after experiencing homelessness and volunteering to help his community at PDR, Ted is now interested in pursuing new opportunities within nonprofits that focus on helping a vulnerable population.
As he continues rebuilding his life, Ted is hopeful about the future. He plans to move out of state to look for a fresh start. He’d like for his new job to make a difference and focus on helping others who face similar challenges and offer the support he has found here at SVdP.
“I’m grateful for St. Vincent de Paul and all of the other programs here on campus,” said Ted. “It's been an eye-opening experience. Moving forward, I'm going to be involved with some nonprofits, and God is telling me that one of the areas will be substance abuse and prevention and recovery community.”
