When Jo Ann Stocklin began volunteering with Catholic Charities nearly six years ago, she thought she was simply looking for a way to help others.
She discovered something more.
"It's a nice feeling to be able to help somebody else," Jo Ann said. "And in the process, I get help too."
At 90 years old, Jo Ann volunteers twice a week in the kitchen at the Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope, the only emergency shelter for families and individuals in the Tri-State area. Operated by Catholic Charities, the center provides emergency shelter, hot meals and a wide range of supportive services for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
For Jo Ann, those few hours each week have become one of the most meaningful parts of her life.
A New Chapter
After Jo Ann's husband passed away in 2017, she found herself searching for purpose. She began volunteering in the office at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church before learning about Catholic Charities.
She toured the shelter near the end of 2019 and decided to help serve meals.
Back then, Saturdays were quiet.
"I'd serve the first 10 or 12 people, bring a chair in and sit down waiting for the next one," she recalled with a laugh.
Today, the dining room is much busier.
"There's not time to sit down," she said. "You keep going. There are lots of people coming in, and I'm so glad. It's wonderful."
What hasn't changed is the gratitude she experiences.
"You don't know how many times you hear, 'Thank you so much,' 'God bless you,' or 'It's wonderful to have you here.'"
It's Just Being There
Jo Ann's role is simple but important. She helps prepare sandwiches, serves meals and lends a hand wherever she's needed.
"It isn't hard work," she said. "It's just being there."
That simple act makes a difference.
The Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope serves nutritious meals every day to shelter residents and community members in need. Volunteers make it possible to welcome every guest with kindness and dignity.
Jo Ann has also built friendships with fellow volunteers. While preparing meals, they catch up on life, laugh together and work side by side. No one has to direct every task because everyone naturally steps in where they're needed.
"Everybody takes their turn," she said. "After a couple of weeks, you kind of know what needs to be done."
The atmosphere, she says, is one of encouragement rather than obligation.
"They make you feel needed and wanted," she said.
Celebrating New Beginnings
Over the years, Jo Ann has come to recognize many of the people who visit the shelter.
She may not know everyone's name, but she knows their faces, their smiles and sometimes their stories.
Every so often, someone shares exciting news.
"They'll say, 'I found someplace I'm going to stay,' or, 'I got a job,'" she said. "They're so happy to share that, and I'm happy to hear it too."
The shelter doesn't simply provide food and a safe place to stay. It also helps people move toward stability with compassionate staff, case management and connections to community resources.
"It's nice that there is somebody there helping them get back on their feet," Jo Ann said.
Making Smiles
Volunteering has also changed Jo Ann's own life.
Her volunteer schedule gives structure to her week, keeps her active and provides opportunities to connect with others. She believes that's especially important as people grow older.
"When you have something to do, you know what day it is and what you're supposed to be doing," she said.
Before retiring, Jo Ann worked as a secretary. She and her husband also owned a restaurant and lounge, and later she worked as a waitress.
Looking back, she sees one big difference between those jobs and the one she loves today.
"I was making money for it," she said with a smile. "Now I'm not making money. I'm making smiles."
For Jo Ann, that's more than enough.
She hopes others will consider volunteering, even if they only have a few hours to give.
"It really is rewarding," she said. "It's a lot of fun."
And as Jo Ann has discovered, sometimes the people who give the most receive something unexpected in return: friendship, purpose and the joy of knowing they helped brighten someone else's day.
Become a Volunteer
Every day, volunteers help Catholic Charities welcome neighbors with compassion, serve hot meals and offer hope to people facing difficult circumstances. Whether you can serve weekly or just a few times a year, your time can make a lasting difference.
