Six years and this group is still going strong!
“It started as a team-building exercise for our workgroup,” shared Janiah. “Candye and I worked together at a Breast Center, so we called our group Bosom Buddies. Our goal was to do one community service project a month for a year. The Mission was the first place we volunteered, and we loved it so much, we just keep going back.”
After serving meals to men at the Mission, this group felt a special connection to the people they met and served. They signed up and committed to volunteer once a month. Over the past six years, the group has changed a little—family members and church friends have joined— but their commitment still stands firm.
“There were addiction issues in my family,” shared Candye. Meeting the men in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, hearing their stories, and seeing them graduate makes me so happy. I am grateful we can be a small part of that and be a witness to their efforts.”
Candye’s daughter has been volunteering at the Mission since she was in the 5th grade. Janiah’s daughter started coming when she started 9th grade. Today she is a junior in high school, and during her speech class, she chose to speak on the topic of homelessness and how others can give back to the community and help the homeless through serving at Nashville Rescue Mission.
“A few of my daughter’s classmates gave her a hard time,” said Janiah. “She responded by telling them they were missing out because she gets more out of it than she gives. I’m so proud of her, not just for standing up for herself, but for being so proud to serve at the Mission and help those experiencing homelessness.”
Serving at the Mission hits a little close to home for Candye. “There were addiction issues in my family,” shared Candye. Meeting the men in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, hearing their stories, and seeing them graduate makes me so happy. I am grateful we can be a small part of that and be a witness to their efforts.”
Janiah said, “I learn something new every time we are at the Mission. I have a great deal of respect for people asking for help rather than suffering in silence. Volunteering at the Mission is the most rewarding two hours of my month.”
The Mission is so thankful for Candye, Janiah, and the entire Bosom Buddies team. Volunteers can make a positive impact on the men, women, and children the Mission serves.
