The Transformative Power of Love: A Year Long Volunteer Reflection

Our Year Long Volunteers are in the home stretch of their service year. Over these past months, they have dedicated their lives to serving the Christ House community. We’ll be sharing their end of year reflections every Thursday for the next few weeks as they look back on a year of learning, laughs, and challenges.

Sarah is from Crofton, Maryland and is looking forward to moving to Philadelphia this summer to join her fiancé. She has worked as our Case Management Assistant for the past two years, helping our patients navigate the complexities of insurance, social security, and other social services. Below, Sarah reflects on her most significant takeaway from her experience at Christ House.

The Transformative Power of Love

By Sarah Hopkins

As I reflect on my two years serving at Christ House, an idea that has constantly come back to me is the transformative power of love.

I have been struck by how much Christ House shows love to every person that comes through the door each day – patients, staff, Kairos men, and volunteers – and by how much that simple act of love can be so transformative. Every person here is surrounded by a community that provides the space for healing and growth – this could mean offering a smile and a cup of water as someone walks through the front door, celebrating each staff member’s birthday year after year, or being gentle with a patient who is struggling to settle into his new environment.  

This loving community has certainly been a powerful force in my growth. I have experienced transformation in so many more ways than I could have expected since first stepping through these doors in June 2017, and I couldn’t have experienced any of it without the great love and sense of community that is so palpable in the Christ House family. I have grown professionally in my case management position; I have grown personally in how I live and interact with others in an intentional community that presents constant joys and challenges; and I have grown spiritually in understanding God’s presence in all that I do throughout my day.

In some ways, it’s hard to articulate exactly how I have transformed in the past two years, but I can say without a doubt that I am a better version of myself after having been a part of this community. No matter where I am or what position I am in, I will always know the great value of simply surrounding someone with your presence, showing love, and creating a sense of value and belonging.