Our Day Community Opportunity Program (DCOP) participants of Saratoga and Warren County love volunteering at the Open Door City Mission in Glens Falls, NY. Our teams have been volunteering there every week for many years, enthusiastically spending time in the kitchen performing sous-chef activities, serving food to guests of the mission, wrapping food for storage, and cleaning dishes. They have also become experts at COVID cleaning and disinfecting protocols, tackling common areas such as the dining room and restrooms.
Our individuals quickly became a welcome part of the Open Door Community. Lynn Figura, Open Door’s Volunteer and Community Relations Manager has only positive things to say about our groups and their contributions. She said, “I love this partnership we have nurtured – it is so important to us, the folks we serve and, I believe, to those served by Living Resources.”
At the beginning of 2020 when COVID paused in-person group meetings, it sent ripples into the community. Lynn said, “When groups aren’t here to partner with us the difference is evident. The teams make a difference in hospitality- we love seeing how they positively impact our guests. They were missed during the COVID restrictions and having them back is a gift.”
Likewise, our DCOP participants are thrilled with the partnership, saying that volunteering at Open Door is the highlight of their week. Lynda Spaulding said, “I have been volunteering there for four years and I love it. I love helping people. There are a lot of people that can’t afford food and the food at the shelter is awesome.” Lynda enjoys seeing the immediate impact of her service saying that her group serves meals that they helped prepare. She also loves being part of the Open Door community. “It’s awesome because we make relationships with the people and the other volunteers. They don’t think of us having a disability.”
Charlie Green agreed, saying, “I like coming to the kitchen because I know I’m helping others.” Katie Kelly added, “I like knowing I’m helping others.” Toby Slyman said, “The Open Door Mission is fun because there are so many different things to do and learn while we are there.”
Living Resources’ core purpose is to support and empower individuals with disabilities or other life-challenging conditions to live with dignity, independence, and happiness. We are dependent on the collaboration of a supportive community to provide environments where they can thrive. We are happy that The Open Door City Mission is part of our family and we are part of theirs!
More about Living Resources DCOP: DCOP participants develop essential and practical life skills in community settings through volunteerism, education, and enrichment activities. The DCOP has created an environment that fosters community inclusion, self-sufficiency, and self-advocacy for its participants.
