Volunteer Spotlight

Refugee Volunteer

Volunteer: Lonnie Noland, 2007

Location: Refugee Connection Center in Des Moines

Role: I teach English as a second language.

Why she volunteers: It allows me to continue my career, teaching English. And it allows me to feel useful.

Favorite volunteer moment: There is not one moment only. When the class “gets” something I am trying to teach them comes closest.

Craziest ambition: To be fluent in another language.

Favorite hobbies: Walking, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and studying languages and subjects away from my field, such as math and various sciences.

Beloit Mentor

Volunteer: Nick Neibauer, 2011

Location: Beloit Residential Treatment Center in Ames

Role: Youth mentor

Why he volunteers: I love how excited my mentee gets when I walk into a room. Seeing him happy honestly makes me happy.

Favorite vacation: New York City for New Year’s Eve.

Favorite hobbies: I enjoy playing guitar, drawing, football in the winter, and baseball in the summer. Music is my passion though.

Favorite Iowa destination: In Iowa, I like to visit Backbone State Park in Lamont and Ledges State Park in Boone. I love to hike and be outdoors.