When you think of Health Access, I’m sure the last thing to come to your mind is Economics. But, this subject all too often dictates how our services play out. Because, when our demand over-rides our supply (as it often does), we rely on our dedicated, passionate volunteers to help us pick up the pieces, and continue to serve women and families at full capacity.

Our volunteers give our homeless clients the gift of sight, screen un-insured women for no-cost mammograms and pap tests, taxi our baby supplies from one corner of Seattle to the other and advocate for our women living with HIV. All-in-all, we think they’re a pretty rad bunch. And since this week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we thought we’d share some of their stories with you.

Take Tari McKenzie, for example. For the past three years, Tari has volunteered with Ingrid Berkhout, Program Manager of YWCA Women’s Health Outreach. More specifically, Tari has been a fabulous advocate for the LBTQ community in the greater Seattle region. Each year, she has assisted Ingrid in the planning, organizing and implementation of the Annual Rainbow Health Fair. Tari is always the first to arrive at meetings and the last to leave, making sure her passion for serving the LBTQ community always comes full circle.

“Thank you, Tari, for your dedication and for the numerous hours you have devoted to serving the Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Queer communities. Your work is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you do for us,” said Ingrid.

Marilyn Calbert, African American Outreach Specialist for Women’s Health Outreach, has also developed somewhat of a women’s health army all her own. Through outreach and advocacy, Marilyn self-recruited two volunteers who have stuck by her side throughout the past two years. Letitia (pictured right) and Caprina (pictured left) dedicate their weekends to screening un-insured women for no-cost mammograms and pap tests, and together with Marilyn, give peace of mind to hundreds of women each year about their breast and cervical health.

“These women are dependable, loyal, honest and outstanding with the community. I am extremely grateful to have these women working with the program,” said Marilyn.

Impressed yet? Well, the buck doesn’t stop there! Another stellar volunteer, Tina Ziegler, takes the load off our Healthy Birth Outcomes Outreach Specialists by picking up our baby supplies all the way in Issaquah and carting them back to Seattle for our clients’ use. Tina, a single mother herself, started out volunteering with the YWCA as a Young Parent GED tutor. However, with the initiation of her busier work schedule, her time to give back became limited. But, she refused to give up volunteering with the YWCA. Now, once a week, she saves Outreach Specialists Pat Hampton and Emelia Udd hours of driving to ensure our moms-to-be have the appropriate baby supplies for their children.

“Volunteering is really important, it makes you feel like a part of the community. I will always encourage others to volunteer, and to make a positive impact in any way they can. That, to me, is what life is all about,” said Tina.

“Tina has been incredibly helpful over the past year. Without her, I would be neck deep in paperwork rather than in baby supplies! We hope she knows how much we appreciate her help, and how impactful her volunteering is to the work we do everyday,” said Pat.

Pat Migliore, one of the founders of BABES Network nearly 23 years ago, has been a staple in the program ever since. Although she left BABES Network as a paid staff several years ago, she is always on time to the weekly support groups; provides one-on-one peer support to our members; performs trainings and consultations with our Peer Advocates and staff; leads educational workshops for our members; serves on the Advisory Board as well as the Stella Fundraiser planning committee; never hesitates to take other BABES members to their doctors appointments; and always helps in preparation for events, whether that be slicing apples or sweeping floors. Pat has been living with HIV for 28 years, and is an inspiration to all women living with HIV in our community.

“I could go on for pages about how much Pat contributes to the success of the BABES Network program. She is a superstar, role model, teacher, educator and all around awesome advocate for women living with HIV in our community. We would like to thank her for her dedication and for volunteering her time for so many years to ensure the success of this program. We love and appreciate you Pat, thank you for making a difference!” – BABES Network-YWCA Staff.

And finally, our EyeCare for the Homeless Program would not be as strong as it is without the uninhibited assistance of Broadway Vision Source. After all, how many private doctor’s offices do you know who willingly open their doors to the homeless population in their communities? However, for the past 20 years, Dr. Matsunami, the lead Optometrist at BVS, has volunteered his time with EyeCare for the Homeless, and now has a team who works diligently to ensure our clients gain the gift of sight!

Check out this awesome video below to hear why giving back is so important to everyone at Broadway Vision Source!

From all the staff of the YWCA’s Health Access team, we want to send a BIG thank you to all of our wonderful, dedicated volunteers, and wish them a very Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!