Reading news about unhoused and hungry people can tug the hearts of many. Some want to volunteer, but feel apprehensive to begin. Here are three volunteers helping unhoused people who decided to take that first step.
Linda Talmo
Linda Talmo began volunteering for the Torres Shelter just two months ago in October. Talmo moved to Chico to pursue graduate school, and wanted to spend her extra time helping people.
“I was just looking for a place where I can show my heart, compassion, love, caring and understanding,” Talmo said.
Throughout her life, Talmo held leadership positions for good causes in Rotary and college, but decided she wanted to be the boots on the ground this time.
“I’ve always been in leadership positions, but I’ve never really been hands on; like getting dirty, you know.”
Talmo was referred to the Torres Shelter right across from Costco. She showed up and asked the shelter to be placed where there is the most need. Now, Talmo volunteers in the kitchen for the shelter.
Talmo said she has a desire to be more involved with the people she is serving, but feels a bit of a “fear factor” from reputations that unhoused people may have mental illness or are under the influence of drugs.
“I guess I’m a little gun shy,” Talmo said.
Talmo said she admires her manager that goes out and meets people face to face, and wants to join her some day.
“I think it’s a huge problem, and if us civilians could better understand them so they feel accepted and part of society, then maybe that would help their mental outlook to improve their situation.”
Charles Withuhn
When Chico had a shelter shortage in 2017, Charles Withuhn joined the Chico Housing Action Team and began volunteering. Withuhn is now the volunteer director of North State Shelter Team.
“You know, at one point, seeing some homeless people in some circumstances gives me the creeps,” Withuhn said. “Now, I walk up and the first thing I say is something like ‘Is anybody home? May we talk? My name is Charles; what’s yours?”
Withuhn goes to Comanche Creek Greenway, where many unhoused people camp, for the North State Shelter Team’s weekly “Be-in-community” visit. They clean campsites, provide showers, and give away food and clothes.
“I have been doing it so long, 40 sundays, that I’m friends with several of them. You just don’t abandon your friends when they’re in a jam.” Withuhn said. “What’s really amazing is how generous homeless people are. They’re usually not greedy. They’ll ask for permission to take stuff and don’t take too much. They’re very grateful.”
Within said he got involved in volunteering because “it’s an opportunity to relearn the wisdom and the enlightenment of our spiritual ethics.”
“When you help someone who is down, they are grateful. If you ignore people who are down, they get desperate. I like grateful; I prefer grateful to desperate.” Withuhn said. “So that’s why I’m doing it; because the people I help are so grateful.”
Volunteering for Withuhn has become a source of joy for him.
“This shelter crisis is a golden opportunity to start enjoying their life more by helping their neighbor and receiving that gratitude can be a source of joy,” Withuhn said.
Withuhn said he wants to see people who are down become able to contribute again to society, but they need help getting there.
“This isn’t a static population. People move and grow. If you provide shelter, 60% of the people in six months to two years move on to what’s called positive placement,” Withuhn said, “They get on to a better living situation.”
Doug De Soro
Doug De Soro has been volunteering for the past 15 years. He retired in 2018 and became more involved and committed to volunteering
“It’s kind of a selfish thing, but it really makes me feel good,” De Soro said. “I was reading some studies where when we help others we get an endorphin rush.”
De Soro said he grew up religious and goes to church with his wife, who also volunteers. They volunteer because they want to live up to their beliefs.
“Aside from our Christian belief, what we both have a strong belief that we have a moral responsibility to serve others,” De Soro said.
De Soro volunteers for the Faith Lutheran Church and several other organizations involved with unhoused people. De Soto said he met a young woman who told him she felt seen by having the volunteers around talking to them.
“Just by saying ‘how are you doing’ can make a big difference in someone’s life,” De Soto said.
De Soto said acknowledgement is an easy way to get involved in the unhoused community.
“There’s a stereotypical image of someone that is lazy, doesn’t want to work, are on drugs, or have mental illness, so folks are afraid to go out there,” De Soto said. “People can start simple by acknowledging when they’re walking down the street that they’d normally avoid.”
De Soto said joining a volunteer group is a good way to learn from experienced volunteers who can show newcomers the ropes.
“Sometimes folks aren’t sure how to react and they feel like ‘what if someone gets angry at me or starts yelling?’” De Soto said. “If you’re with a group that can offer you pointers or guidelines, that does help especially as you first get started volunteering.”
De Soto said he feels grateful to see people change, going from living in their cars and streets to living in a home.
“Until you actually get out there and meet these folks, it makes a big difference and changes perspectives,” De Soro said.
