For Marina’s Melanie Simmons volunteering is all in the family — not only does she volunteer three days a week at Interim Inc.’s OMNI Resource Center, her daughter Lydia, 32, volunteers there with her.
In fact, Lydia was asked to volunteer there first. Melanie, a longtime volunteer for local nonprofits, said, in support of her daughter, “I’ll go with you,” and ended up volunteering as well.
“Everything seemed to fall into place and we started going together,” says the mother of four. “I worked for the Food Bank for 10 years, so I know the nonprofit world and I don’t have a problem volunteering.”
Melanie and Lydia exemplify the volunteers that Interim, which provides a unique combination of support services, housing and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County, hopes to honor and celebrate during National Volunteer Week, April 16-22 this year. It’s an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service, shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, and recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities.
Interim, like many nonprofits, relies on volunteers. Throughout the year, but especially during Volunteer Week, Interim honors and celebrates its many volunteers. Volunteering provides them with a greater sense of purpose and dedication, and their contributions are valued and meaningful to others.
Melanie says she has always instilled in her children the importance and value of volunteering. This is whether it’s helping out at a shelter or picking up trash from the side of the highway.
“I’ve raised my children to volunteer, they all know how to volunteer, and Lydia, she’s a giver, has always been a giver,” says Melanie, a longtime local resident who was born in Carmel and has lived in Seaside and Marina most of her adult life. “I feel it (volunteering) comes back to you. When you give, it’s not so much for them, it’s for you too. It feels good. Everybody should do it.”
She says on their volunteer days she and Lydia prepare and serve meals for the residents, clean up and interact with them by playing chess or gin or simply socializing with them. “We work well together; we’re a well-oiled machine,“ she says.
“It gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning and mingle with people who have the same kind of struggles that I have,” adds Lydia. “It makes me feel like I’m not alone and helps me not to isolate so much.”
“I’m hopeful this will turn into a full-time position,” says Lydia, who first encountered Interim five years ago through the SEES program. “I can see myself being a Wellness Navigator. It’s inspiring to see them at work because they have a lot of fun doing it. I want to make an impact and intermingle with people who can benefit from my help. I have a lot of experience, which can be helpful to somebody going through a difficult situation. I have a lot to offer in that area.”
But why Interim? There are plenty of other nonprofits in the area? One reason is that Lydia went through Interim’s programs and felt an affinity for the organization. For Melanie it’s simple:
“They help people and I help people, and they were helping my daughter,” she says, summing up her support of Interim. In addition to volunteering, she also carries a supply of jackets, sweaters and “goodie bags” in the trunk of her car, so if she encounters someone in need, she can help them out. The bags contain essentials such as cans of food, lip balm, socks, toothbrushes and other items. “Things to get you through the day,” she says.
For Melanie, volunteering never really ends, even when she’s not volunteering.
For volunteer opportunities with Interim, call (831) 649-4522.
