My Experience Inside the Volunteer Ministry Center

When we were first assigned to support the Volunteer Ministry Center (VMC) in our campaign, I had no idea what to expect. It wasn't until after I started researching them and learning everything they did for people experiencing homelessness in Knoxville that I was able to understand what they did. But after visiting their facility with my group and getting to see what they do firsthand, I felt like I really understood what the VMC was all about. The VMC was a place full of compassionate people that wanted to give those in need the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

When I first walked through the front door, I was taken aback by how friendly and welcoming the staff was. They seemed really eager to meet us and get to know a little bit about everybody in the group. We were then taken to a conference style room by Zan, the development and digital media manager at the VMC. That is where he went into more detail about what the VMC does and reinforced the idea that their mission is not only to provide temporary help, but to create long-term solutions through programs like case management, housing assistance, and the Bush Family Refuge. He told us about some of the case management staff and explained how they work with each client individually to find sustainable housing and employment. From the get-go, it was clear that the VMC treat every person with respect and care, regardless of the situation they're in.

A big thing that stood out most to me was how personal everything felt. Instead of hearing the word "homeless" used over and over, the people the VMC assist are instead known as "neighbors". As I spent more time inside of the VMC, I saw lots of neighbors inside the facility that were being helped, and I heard about many success stories. Our neighbors that the VMC helps are not bad people or people who made poor decisions, they are real people who just need a chance to start over. My experience inside the VMC reminded me that homelessness is not always the result of bad decisions, and that sometimes life just happens in ways people can’t control.

After leaving the VMC, I not only felt a larger sense of gratitude for what I have in my life, but I became more aware of the importance of organizations like the VMC. They don’t just give people a place to stay or a meal to eat, they give them direction and a reason to believe that a better, stable life is possible.

Donate or share our campaign here: https://gofund.me/07e779b2a

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