The Little Nonprofit That Could

Last semester I was enrolled in Service Learning 101 as part of my Nonprofit Major. Throughout the duration of this class we visited all different types of nonprofit organizations in the Kansas City area. One of these organizations was the Don Bosco Family Support Center. Our trip to Don Bosco was a very eye opening experience for me. It taught me a lot about the raw reality, passion, and satisfaction of working in the nonprofit sector.

Don Bosco is a resource for people who face homelessness, abuse, job loss, and substance abuse. They provide them with food, clothing, rent, and job counseling. My first impression, as we entered the lower level of a stone house via a garage door, was one of surprise and contempt. This organization seemed extremely underfunded and understaffed. However, as the director, Carla, began speaking to us it became very clear that there was more passion under this roof than I could imagine. I got chills as I sat there and listened to Carla speak with such feeling about her job and what Don Bosco does for the community. We toured the building as Carla spoke to us about their struggle for resources. As we walked into the clothing room we met a woman who is homeless and was just diagnosed with leukemia. She works at Don Bosco every day, but will not accept pay for her work.

As I left Don Bosco I was experiencing a much different feeling than the one I entered with. I was in awe. When we returned to school I spoke to my teacher, Tim Honse, about starting a clothing drive to benefit Don Bosco. This semester that idea became a reality when I was asked to run a clothing drive for American Humanics. I began this project with a bleak outlook. I didn’t think college students would have clothes to spare or would not be willing to do so. I had just resigned myself to the fact that any little bit would help.

To begin my project I sent a notice in the weekly newsletter about the drive and who it was benefiting. I then set up collection boxes in all of the residence halls and in the student union. I used boxes that I had found in my dorm and from the cafeteria. They were pretty small, but I just expected that there wouldn’t be a substantial amount of clothing donated anyway. A few days later I received a picture message on my phone from a friend in one of the freshman girls’ dorms. It was of my clothing box, and it was overflowing with donated items. After emptying that box, I returned to my room where I opened an email from one of my classmates that informed me that the box in her dorm was full. This continued for the next two weeks of the drive. I was ecstatic. By the end of the drive, William Jewell students had donated a total of eight extra large trash bags full of clothing. We had everything from coats to children’s clothing, shoes and belts to dresses and pant suits.

When I called Carla to set up a time for me to drop off the clothing, she could not stop thanking me for setting up the clothing drive. When I took the car full of donations to the center she began crying. As I hugged her I told her that the real people to thank were the Jewell students who surpassed expectation and reminded me that no matter who they are, individuals are capable of supporting and caring for one another.

Thank you, William Jewell students, for providing clothing to those who are not capable of providing it for themselves. Thank you for taking the time to sift through your closets and dresser drawers. Thank you for sacrificing your possessions to benefit those in need. Finally, thank you for reestablishing my faith in the human race and making my outlook on my future in the nonprofit sector a little brighter.