By Carla Sornig, BVS Unit 335
Greetings from Fremont, California! I am one of the German BVS volunteers and am currently serving the community living at Sunrise Village Homeless Shelter in the Bay Area.
Since the beginning of my year, I have worked closely together with the unhoused population at Abode’s shelter, and it has been a very humbling experience. I have listened to stories of people who have had to start over again many times, and I have seen what substance abuse can do to people, their families, and their relationships.
If there is one thing I have learned, it is to be grateful. I am grateful for the chances I was given in my childhood and for the privileges I had growing up. During my BVS year, I have learned that tragedies can strike everyone and that sometimes it is pure luck that one is not in the same position as the residents in the shelter. Some of the best people are part of this community, yet they have been ignored and pushed to the side by the rest of society and fallen victim to harmful stereotypes.
My life will forever be influenced by my time serving here in California, and I will be walking through life even more open-minded than before. I will keep all the little moments of gratitude, tragedy, and happiness in remembrance of this time, and will continue to help give a voice to people that deserve to be listened to.
My year as a Church of the Brethren volunteer helped me become more conscious, grateful, and patient in life, and has shaped me into the person I am today. In addition to the amazing people that I’ve gotten to know, this experience has helped me gain independence and has influenced decisions for my future, like what to choose for my major, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
