Meeting someone in a cafe for the first time can be tricky. Will they be easy to identify? Will their photo match the person? That wasn’t anything to be worried about with Kari Hovde, the Founder and Executive Director of The Backstage Foundation. Kari’s bio as a...
Volunteer Story
Posts that show up on the Volunteer page
The Reverend Tim Phillips Says Goodbye
Mar 21, 2022
Reverend Dr. Tim Phillips gave his final sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church last month. Tim is a former Worker, staffer and longtime supporter of Companis. He is now officially retired. Here is an excerpt from his sermon, as well as a link to a photo tribute from...
Writing To Help Others: A Companis Worker Gets the Word Out
Jan 31, 2022
“You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.” That statement stems from the 6th Amendment in the Bill of Rights which codifies the right to a public trial, the right to a lawyer, and the right to an impartial...
2021 Janet G. Newell Award Goes to Rev. Dr. Tim Phillips
Dec 21, 2021
A former Companis Worker and veteran leader of the Companis model for volunteer support in Seattle and Chicago is the 2021 winner of the Janet G. Newell Award for Community Service. Rev. Dr. Tim Phillips, lead pastor at Seattle First Baptist Church (SFBC), is the...
Mentoring the Helpers
Dec 20, 2021
Viewing refugees through the lens of abundance isn’t what most of us are accustomed to. But Allison Taylor, Clinical Director of Lutheran Community Services Northwest for North Puget Sound, speaks with a sense of awe when describing the strength of those who make this...
Year End Thoughts from Gary: The Enduring Power of Community
Dec 20, 2021
My grandmother became severely ill during the influenza pandemic a century ago when the family lived in rural Montana. She was so sick, her doctor told my grandfather she would not likely make it, and that he needed to quickly find another family to raise their infant...
Jumping In and Finding Joy
Dec 20, 2021
My name is Jensen Nida and I’m a sophomore at Bates College in Maine. This fall, I took a leave of absence and found myself back in my hometown of Seattle itching for purpose. I showed up at the Companis office one day to help prepare newsletters for mailing. I heard...
Catching the Light
Dec 20, 2021
Where do we go to catch the light during these dark, winter months? We asked Companis Workers and staff to send in photos that document a moment in time when light caught their eye and raised their spirits. From giant bubbles to meditation, we received an array...
How Companis Supports Our Volunteers
Dec 18, 2021
Having a worker support group makes a big difference for Companis placements. It creates community and holds space for reflection. Volunteers support each other by sharing their experiences through Companis’ monthly worker support meetings (in-person, when possible,...