Our new board members had great things to say about their Orientation and their involvement at William Temple House:
“Our Board Orientation gave us the opportunity to get an in depth look at all WTH has to offer. We had extensive face time with the department heads; Counseling, Social Services, and the Thrift Store. We were also immersed in the daily activities, from sitting with intake counselors, helping in the food pantry (I did more talking and watching than working, but it was invaluable all the same). And, a full tour of our impressive Thrift Store, of course!
The greatest part of the day was connecting with so many staff members, from department heads to part-time volunteers. It is hard to articulate just how impressed I was by them all. Across the board, they were smart, savvy, kind, and passionate about their work: qualities I also associate with being a true Portlander (and probably if you talk long enough you find you have at least one mutual friend).
I left feeling honored to be apart of the [Board of Directors], and with the insatiable desire to do all that I can to support the staff and provide them with what they need. With the right support their abilities are limitless. I hope not to let them down!”
-Allison Monti, William Temple House Board Member
” I am so thrilled to have been able to take part in the WTH orientation for board members this week. It made a world of difference seeing the mission in action. I listened as a volunteer did an intake session with a client. She was a Chinese woman who needed hygiene products and was trying to figure out how to say conditioner in English. I watched shelves in the food pantry be stocked, saw clients filling their baskets and saw clothes being added to the inventory in the clothes closet. The counseling team shared some of their clients’ stories and showed how this low cost counseling helps change lives. The counseling interns spoke with warmth about their time here and said they chose it over other opportunities because WTH has such a good reputation. I toured the thrift shop and saw what a well oiled machine it is and learned that someone must really like rapper Kanye West because a sweatshirt with his image is hanging up in the back room. I was struck by the passion and purpose I observed in the WTH staff and appreciated the dignity with which they treated clients.
The best part was the shared energy with the staff , knowing we all have the same goal, caring for heart, mind and soul.”
-Pat Boyle, William Temple House Board Members