A Trip to Remember
In late October, Lindsey Bressi, Nonprofit Relationship Manager at ReEmployAbility, visited several of our Nonprofit Partners. One of the highlights of her trip was a visit to Mary’s Mercy Center, a key partner providing essential services to those in need in the San Bernardino community. During her visit, Bressi had the opportunity to connect with staff and volunteers, gaining valuable insights into the Center’s operations and the impact of those services.
A Welcoming Visit
Norma, who oversees the Transition2Work participants at Mary’s Mercy Center, warmly welcomed Bressi. Norma provided a comprehensive overview of the Center’s offerings, including daily meal services, a weekly shower program, clothing distribution, and food assistance to the homeless and local households in need. Bressi was given a tour of the facility, which serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community.
On the morning of her visit, Bressi met Ric, a new participant at the Center who had just begun his assignment that day. Recognizing his uncertainty, she made a point to reassure him that she would return later to check in and offer any support or feedback. Bressi noted that Ric seemed hesitant and uncertain about his role at the Center, but she was eager to see how his experience would unfold.
Engagement and Reflection on the Experience
Bressi returned to Mary’s Mercy Center on Wednesday, bringing much-needed supplies for the clothing closet and offering her assistance. Norma, short on volunteers that day, immediately put Bressi to work assembling food bags for distribution. As the day progressed, Bressi was tasked with registering clients before the food giveaway event.
Throughout the event, Bressi had the opportunity to engage with members of the San Bernardino community. She received repeated expressions of gratitude for the food assistance provided, which helped her gain a deeper understanding of the Center’s significant role in supporting local families and individuals facing hardship.
During the distribution, Bressi noticed Ric, who was now actively involved in handing out produce bags. She checked in with him and asked for his thoughts on the experience. Ric, somewhat apprehensive earlier, shared, “This is not what I was expecting at all.” Bressi continued to offer support and encouragement throughout the day, interacting with Ric and helping him understand the positive impact of his efforts.
Ric’s role included stocking tables with essential items such as meat, bakery products, eggs, and milk and engaging with clients who had questions or wanted to converse. By the end of the day, as the last household was served, Bressi asked Ric again about his experience. Ric expressed a sense of clarity this time, saying, “I had no idea it was going to be like this. It’s very eye-opening.”
Bressi took the opportunity to share her reflection, acknowledging that she was also impressed by the scope of the Center’s mission. She emphasized the importance of understanding the participant experience firsthand, noting that her visit helped her better appreciate what participants like Ric experience during their light-duty assignments.
Supporting Participants and the Impact of Light-Duty Work
During their conversation, Ric shared his background as a chef, explaining how much he missed working in the kitchen. Despite being temporarily away from his restaurant, he found fulfillment in knowing that his work at Mary’s Mercy Center was helping others. Ric expressed his passion for cooking and how rewarding it was to know that his contributions enabled families to cook meals at home.
Bressi took this moment to reinforce the significance of Ric’s contributions, telling him, “You’re making a difference here. Even when you’re working in the pantry, helping with inventory, or packing snack bags, this is what it leads to—distributing food to 130 households and 67 homeless individuals. And that’s just today.” She acknowledged that light-duty work at a nonprofit serving vulnerable populations can be challenging but emphasized the positive impact of Ric’s efforts, both for the community and his personal development.
The Role of ReEmployAbility in Supporting Injured Employees
Bressi’s visit to Mary’s Mercy Center underscores the vital role that ReEmployAbility plays in connecting light-duty participants with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Through these assignments, participants gain valuable work experience, contribute to important causes, and often find renewed purpose during their recovery process.
ReEmployAbility’s partnerships with organizations like Mary’s Mercy Center not only support community-based programs but also help Transition2Work participants develop new skills and make a tangible impact on the lives of others while also recovering from injuries.
Reach out today to learn more about how ReEmployAbility can assist your injured workers and connect them with fulfilling light-duty opportunities.
About Mary’s Mercy Center:
Marys Mercy Center is a leading homeless service provider in the Inland Empire. They collaborate with various agencies to restore dignity and purpose to the homeless, poor, and marginalized, acknowledging that homelessness and poverty are complex issues requiring diverse solutions. Together, they are making a meaningful impact.
For more information on how you can donate and support this organization, visit them at Marysmercycenter.org.
ReEmployAbility Gives Back to the Community:
- Empowering Lives: The Impact of Volunteers at The Center for Employment Opportunities
- ReEmployAbility Team Members Shine Through Service: Spreading Joy Across Local Nonprofits
- Building Hope: ReEmployAbility Employees Make a Difference at Habitat for Humanity Restore
- ReEmployAbility Participates in Relay for Life in Support of Coworker
- ReEmployAbility Employees Brave the Cold Rain in Support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association