Interview Questions - Laura S. (11/30/21)

Every month, Sarah’s Inn nominates a volunteer to be our Volunteer of The Month. Laura Schumacker was nominated as October’s Volunteer of The Month. Laura joined the Sarah’s Inn team in July 2020. Our Volunteer and In-Kind Coordinator, Mariam, asked Laura about his experiences as a volunteer.

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  1. How long have you been volunteering with us, and how did you hear about Sarah’s Inn?

“I have been volunteering since July 2020. I believe it was through VolunteerMatch that I found Sarah’s Inn. I saw different opportunities, but nothing caught my eye until I saw the opportunity for working as a crisis line volunteer.”


  1. What have you enjoyed about volunteering with Sarah’s Inn?

“The biggest enjoyment I have is that it is intrinsic. I feel it is my time to pay it forward since I used to be in a domestic violence situation years ago. There were not as many resources then as there is today. I love giving back and it feels good to do this.”


  1. Every month, you take on a few regular shifts. How do you find ways to fit volunteering into your schedule?

“The only way I can give back is in the evenings since I have a demanding job and taking overnight shifts works with my schedule. I enjoy the overnight shifts, even though they are long, it is not busy.”


  1. What made you want to volunteer at a Domestic Violence Agency?

“For me, it is personal. Being a survivor of domestic violence myself, I can respect the complexity of it. Having been in a domestic violence situation has motivated me to help others and I am happy to support.”


  1. Some people may find it difficult to balance working, volunteering, and their personal lives. Why do you think it is important for folks to find the time to volunteer?

“It is important to give back and I do feel that there is an internal reward you get with volunteering that cannot be quantified. Everyone needs help at some point in their lives and making a difference in one person’s life makes it all worth it.    


  1. Why should people volunteer at Sarah’s Inn?

“Domestic violence is a hidden issue within a family.  More than likely there is someone within your circle who is currently dealing with this issue, and you have idea it is occurring. Volunteering at Sarah’s Inn is helping someone around you, helping your community.  Sarah’s Inn’s goal is to help clients get to a better place in their lives to allow them to get to a point where they can find happiness in their life.”


Thank you Laura for volunteering with Sarah’s Inn. If you are interested in volunteering, the best way to get involved is by emailing volunteering@sarahsinn.org, where you will be able to learn more about volunteering opportunities that are available to you.