Volunteering at Dégagé

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Current NeedsOngoing NeedsOrientationGiftbagPrayer PartnerStories
volunteer in our Life Enrichment Center

Dégagé Ministries relies on the faithful support of over 1,200 volunteers annually. Volunteer positions range from weekly to monthly commitments and are open to individuals and groups.

Please call Dégagé at (616) 454-1661, or email Hollie Wassenaar at hollie@degageministries.org for more information on volunteering.

For ideas for your group, check out our GROUP IDEAS page under Get Involved.

Current Needs

Ongoing Needs

Volunteer Orientation

Before volunteering for the first time, we would love to share with you the mission of Dégagé Ministries and information on the programs we offer. This is a great opportunity to find out about our volunteer opportunities and learn which areas may be of interest to you. Attending an orientation is required before becoming a volunteer on a regular basis. The orientations are offered the first Monday of the month at 7:00 pm.

Christmas in a Gift Bag

Every Christmas Eve we have the privilege of distributing gift bags to hundreds of our Heartside residents. Consider partnering with us for this project by filling a gift bag with special items for our patrons. Below is a list of possible items to include in the bags. May we suggest that you choose several items from each of the following categories:

Gift Items: handkerchiefs, cards and travel games, stamps, hand warmers, books, restaurant gift certificates, etc.

Clothing: hats, gloves, socks and t-shirts

Personal Care Items: toothbrushes, deodorant, washcloths, chap-stick, small kleenex packs and lotion

A few reminders...

Become a Prayer Partner

Receive a weekly list of prayer requests from the staff at Dégagé. You may choose to have a list mailed to you each week or sent via email. Please email with your address or call her at (616) 454-1661 to be added to the list.

Volunteers

Volunteer Stories

JOE WALKER

“I fell in love at first sight with Degage Ministries because of its commitment to caring for Christ's poor and marginalized people. The staff and volunteers at Degage treat all comers with dignity and respect. They go to great lengths to assist in problem solving, as well as in providing many other services essential to enhancing the lives of our neighbors in the Heartside area. Degage is doing God's work, and doing it well! it is joyous to work there as a volunteer. I am happy to serve our neighbors!”

PAULA GAYLORD

“I started volunteering in March of 1993 when Degage was over at 10 Weston St. My church, St. Luke's Lutheran Church came one Friday a month and it sounded like something I wanted to do. Some friends, Charlie and Tracy, suggested I ride with them so they could show me exactly where Degage was and how it worked. I was grateful. On my first night I met people from other churches, too, most notably, Marge and Luke Palmerlee! After serving food for part of the time, one of the patrons offered to teach me how to play pool! I moved with Degage over here to Cherry and Division and we served food on the 2nd floor. I remember some great bands that played on the 2nd floor - Bella Vista Praise Band had everyone dancing and moving to "Will the circle be Unbroken?" one evening.

When the Life Enrichment Center opened I helped at the shower desk 2 afternoons a month and then realized that I lost track of people if I wasn't here more often. That was about the same time as the beginning of the referral desk. I love the challenge of the referral desk and learning about all the possibilities for help in the Grand Rapids area. I have been at the referral desk for over 3 years - the best part is watching how God works - in both the lives of the patrons and in my life. When I first started finding help for people with a variety of requests - housing, employment, ID, Prescriptions, immigration records, furniture, transportation, clothing, shelter- I felt that I needed to solve these problems immediately. Now, I am beginning to realize that it's the process that's most important. I can reflect the love of Christ best by being warm and welcoming and calm and hopeful in the face of what may seem overwhelming. One of us needs to see the bigger picture and my faith helps me do this. It s most important to take the first step toward problem solving rather than run the whole race at once. I especially like being able to ask people if I can put their name on our prayer list, and then writing down their prayer request, which is frequently for someone else who is in worse trouble than they are.

I still come the 2nd Friday evening each month with a group from church and somewhere along the way I agreed to serve on the degage board as secretary. I am humbled by serving alongside the patrons and I get great joy from the fellowship with others at the Walkathon and take it to the Top and the days at the beach and the Veteran's Day Dinner. I loved the evening I spent with several patrons when we were given tickets to a dress rehearsal of the opera. When I think of favorite memories I think of times spent talking with patrons about their pasts and their present and their hopes and dreams. I treasure the relationships I have built and the reality of others' lives. Patrons have shared with me how blessed they feel and I have come to glimpse how much I take for granted. I have come to understand the Parable of the Great Banquet in a different way.

I think the real monotony of poverty, or wealth, for that matter, involves feeling hopeless and that there is no meaning to life. I think whenever we can offer an activity or a smile or a time of caring, that offers hope to each of us. It is a reminder of God's purpose and activity when we see Christ's face in each other, and I think that everything Degage does and encourages each of us to do is focused on that purpose.

Each time I come to Degage I am thanked by patrons and staff and other volunteers. I thank all of you for the opportunity to serve and to be enriched immeasurably by that service.”

LAGRAVE AVENUE CRC YOUTH led by BOB GRUSSING

“Our group started volunteering at Degage in 1995. We come once a month on the 3rd Wednesday and we run the kitchen, serve the meals, give out free food, wash the dishes, etc. In addition to that we have played bingo and run the open gym. At other times we come and paint, do general cleaning etc. We also participate in Souper Bowl Sunday, raising money for Degage. Our group is call the CREW (Christians Respecting Everyone's Worth) It is our High School age youth group and is made up of young people from at least 7 different schools. We love to get together to serve others and have so much fun doing it. Our group is always changing with new people joining. We are proud of our I support the Heartside Tshirts that we wear when we come. Our favorite part about volunteering is meeting the people, putting our faith into action and being the hands and feet of Jesus. It is great to be a part of an organization which values and respects all persons.”

VERA HENDRICKS

Vera Hendricks can tell you every meal served on the 1st Sunday of the month since 1982. She can tell you how many people attended our New Year's Eve parties, details about every location Dégagé has been in operation, how the ministry has grown and the food preferences of our patrons. But most importantly, Vera can tell you that God has called her to be a part of our ministry and as long as she is able, she will continue to serve here.

Vera Hendricks is most likely the longest serving volunteer of Dégagé Ministries. She remembers Dégagé when it first began as a small coffeehouse and has remained connected on various levels ever since. As a volunteer from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Vera coordinates and prepares a meal for the patrons of Dégagé Ministries every 1st Sunday of the month. She also plans our annual New Year's Eve celebration.

When asked why she has been compelled to volunteer so long she is quick to answer, "When my family comes over, they have a warm meal to eat. I want them [the patrons] to have what I have. I always give my family so much and I realize many people do not have someone to go home to. It is a responsibility I have taken on and I feel I have to do it. If the good Lord had not wanted me to do it, He would not have given me the ability to."