HSS Clients Give Back & Get Job Skills in Return

Our clients love it when they get the opportunity to give back to our community.

When those opportunities also happen to teach them job skills, it’s even more exciting.

For the last several years, clients from our residences have been volunteering behind the scenes at the Mayfest, Octoberfest and Downtown Concert Series in downtown Waterloo.

They empty trash cans, refill liners and move straw bales – performing the maintenance work to keep the Courthouse grounds tidy for the duration of the event.

While these tasks aren’t glamorous, they’re vital to the success of the events.

Even better, our clients learn valuable skills through this volunteer effort, including:

• Listening to instructions
• Reporting for work on time
• Completing a task
• Working as a team
• Serving a community purpose

For some clients, these events have led to job opportunities elsewhere in the community.

Clients all say they enjoy volunteering at the festivals, and love to attend as patrons.

James, who volunteered at this year’s Mayfest, said he likes that he can listen to the music while he volunteers.

“I like to keep the street clean,” he said.

Thanks to the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Monroe County House of Neighborly Service for their support of this program.