Vanessa Hernandez and Michelangelo Reyes have been dating for over two years. Vanessa is a pre-dentistry student at Arizona State University studying human nutrition while Angelo is as premed student at ASU studying exercise and wellness. The two have been volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul for three months working as lead family meal coordinators in the dining room.
Why did you choose to volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul?
Vanessa: I always wanted to volunteer with something that was close to my religion. I’m at the pre-dental club at ASU and I heard one of the students say how they were looking for lead volunteers with St. Vincent.
Angelo: Vanessa was already volunteering and she talked about how good it was. So I wanted to volunteer and spend time with her.
How has volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul affected your relationship?:
Vanessa: I think it has made us just a little bit more humble. We see how people here are really struggling.
Angelo: It’s made us more aware of what’s going on. It’s brought us closer in that sense. We get to spend time together and do what we like and help people.
What’s a memorable experience you had in the dining room?:
Vanessa: For me, it was the first time that I saw that we would give gifts and cakes to the families. I remember when this little girl came up to me and told me it was her birthday. I told the person who I was shadowing back then, because I was still being trained to be a leader, and we took the family a cake and presents. We had a lot of volunteers singing around the table for this family. I saw the little girl and her father tear up and I thought, “Wow they don’t really get to experience this.” I was happy to be a part of this. If it weren’t for us, maybe she wouldn’t have been able to have a cake and presents.
Angelo: My memorable experience is actually the same as Vanessa’s. It was my first day here. I was just overwhelmed with how emotional the families were. And a lot of people take stuff like that for granted. You know, some families can’t even do birthdays and give gifts, which I’m sure they would like to, but due to their circumstances they’re limited.
What’s important in every relationship?:
Vanessa: Well our biggest strength is our faith. Our faith always brings us back together. Having that in a relationship, you can overcome anything.
Angelo: It’s important to be on the same page and to have the same kind of goals in life. If you’re focused and driven, but the other person isn’t, that’s not really going to work.
Two people have to be willing to put in the same effort and have the same kind of goals in life to be compatible and trust each other. Inspiring each other to be better everyday is the main goal.
What do you recommend for others as far as volunteering is concerned?
Vanessa: I would recommend that more people try to experience this. Angelo was saying how you see how people are so limited. When you’re helping them, you become grateful for what you have. I know sometimes in college I’ll be eating something I don’t want, but I have to think, “Okay there’s people who don’t have food. I can’t be picky.” I have to be grateful for what I have.
Angelo: I think volunteering is just an awesome thing to do. If you’re able to volunteer, you should do it.
Interested in volunteering with us? Singles or couples, we need your help! Read about volunteer opportunities on our website or call our volunteer office at (602) 261-6886.
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Gretchen Burnton is the community relations intern at St. Vincent de Paul. She is a sophomore at Arizona State University pursuing a concurrent degree in journalism (with a specialization in Public Relations) as well as Film and Media Studies. She is also pursuing a minor in public service and public policy.
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