A Letter to our Volunteers
Dear Volunteers,
I have never been so proud to be a young adult in New Orleans as when I talk about the volunteers of the Crescent City Cafe. People say our generation is “me-centered,” but I can only point to the hundreds of you who have volunteered to serve meals with the Crescent City Cafe to say that’s simply not true.
Since starting the Crescent City Cafe in February 2009, we have been continuously humbled by your work ethic, your selflessness and your cheerfulness. For goodness sake, we ask you to come for 7 a.m. on a Saturday! But you show up on time, ready to work, with a smile on your face, and you get nothing in return.
We barely even have to ask before you’re ready to help… with anything. You ask us for jobs and jump at the chance to get your hands dirty. You never complain. You scrub dishes until your hands are wrinkly, and you stay until all the work is done.
You embrace the mission of the Crescent City Cafe to serve those who are homeless with dignity. You sit with our guests, and you give them something that’s even better than the delicious breakfast: your attention. You look them in the eyes, you listen and you care.
So, thank you. Thank you for being the face, hands, feet and ears of the Crescent City Cafe. Thank you for demonstrating to people who are homeless that they have value. Thank you for showing up when you don’t have to and caring when you get nothing in return. Thank you for proving that young adults are passionate, empathetic and selfless. And thank you for giving back to New Orleans.
We are so honored to work alongside you.
Much Love,
Kim, Georgia, Tori, Heather, Laura and Rebecca
The Crescent City Cafe Leadership Team
Kim, what you say is definitely true…except for one thing. We DO get something out of it. The reason I started volunteering was because I felt empty. I didn’t feel like I was doing anything with my life and didn’t feel I was doing anything to make my time mean anything. I was in a bad place at one time and decided to change it by doing something good with my extra time. Volunteering with you and the other founders helped me out of that funk. I love volunteering because it means something to the people we help once a month and on a daily basis. It gives me a more appreciation for life and what we do with our lives. It has also helped me chose a different career path. I thank you and the other founders for creating such a wonderful way for young adults to participate and network for a good cause. Thank you.
Vicki
Vicki,
I didn’t realize you had chosen a different career path or how much it’s meant to you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I’m so glad to know you’ve been blessed by the cafe as well!
Kim