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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2003)
24 jM Bt M t • match 7.2003 The House That Volunteers Built AIDS facility celebrates 15 years of care and support by Tom Stevenson what Siebert calls “ lo n g - t e r m e r s .” They have been there for at least three years, most for five or more. Along with Sie bert and Sellers, Just O ut talked to five of those long time volunteers: Sister Kate St. M artin, an 82- year-old nun; Ben Estes, a gay restau rant owner and manager; Joanne Barham, a hetero sexual retiree; De anna Bryant, a member of the trans comm unity; and Lisa Benson, a bisexual massage therapist. The volunteer troops “do it all,” Sellers says. “They all give so much.” Just having someone there to hold your hand m akes a difference ” PHOTO BY he volunteers do everything Kathryn Siebert (left) directs Our House volunteers like Jean Frost from answering tele phones to cooking meals. They serve as personal younger people who are starting to become i St. Martin was introduced to Our House care assistants, they do gardening, they take resi- involved. nine years ago hy a friend who was volunteer- dents to appoint “We do have a whole range of volunteers,” ing for another AIDS organization. She ments, and often Sichert says. “They come from all walks of life serves on the personal care and spiritual life they just sit and and for any number of teams, which means at some points she spend quiet one- reasons.” might he helping residents change clothes and-one time Bryant says a friend with those who first suggested she call Our House should volunteer at home. Our House. To put into “I was at the perspective the beginning of my tran amount of work sition, and [it] would these folks do, be my first job in my one year they chosen gender,” says — Sister Kate donated a total Bryant, who has now of 13,103 hours. been there for three St. Martin "I figured it out, years. “I answer — Nancy Sellers and we would phones and do my have to hire at best at trying to fatten people up. I least six more full-time people if we have always loved to cook, and the didn’t have the volunteers," Sellers residents seem to love what I do for says. “We could not afford to do that.” them in that area. Besides that...I do One would think Siebert and S ell a little of everything." ers might have a tough time getting Benson, who has been volunteer volunteers, considering the emotional ing for seven years, said she was aspect of the work. They say that is not looking for something to enrich her ... the case. In fact, some people whose spiritual life when she chose to help lives have been affected hy Our Our House. House—through visiting a friend or “1 wanted to give hack" to the P »* relative who is a resident, for community, she says. “I wanted to instance—often choose to return and work with people with AIDS. I volunteer. Many others find their way went there as a massage therapist, to the facility simply because their but I kept ending up in the lives have been touched by AIDS. kitchen.” There are also retirees who are look To this day, Benson spends her ing for a place they can go simply to stay time at Our House in the kitchen and active. And there are many, many says she loves it. “We would have to hire at least six more full-time people if we didn’t have the volunteers. We could not afford to do that.” i PHOTO BY MARTY DAVIS______________________________ _________ _____ _____________________________________ hy do people volunteer? Ask the questions, and you will get a plethora of answers. Some arc incredi bly personal. Some are even selfish. But the fact remains, without the help of dedicated volunteers, any number of groups, agencies and facilities would he unable to operate. One of those organizations is Our House of Portland, which will celebrate its 15th anniversary this month. The 24-hour skilled nursing care facility in Southeast Portland caters to those who have AIDS and are unable to live hy themselves. W hile trained staff members administer the professional medical care the residents receive and paid employees keep the nonprofit operating, the group that completes the inner circle is an amazingly ded icated cadre of volunteers. Kathryn Siebert has served as volunteer director at Our House for five years and an employee for 10 years. She actually started out as a volunteer before taking her first paid position. Nancy Sellers also came on board first as a volunteer, serving on the hoard of directors before asking to take the executive director position on an interim, then perma nent, basis. Siebert says she is overwhelmed hy the gen erosity, compassion and absolute dedication of the volunteers who serve at Our House. “They are all amazing people.” According to Siebert, 120 to 130 people volunteer at least four hours a week. Between 30 and 50 more come in about once a month. Of the 120-plus who come in each and every week, about half of them are I
