Conversations with our Neighbors

Paula works at the front desk at The Neighbors’ Place, meaning she is the first person many of our clients see. She serves as a welcoming face for clients, and said her interactions with clients have made an impact on her. A mother who received food assistance told Paula “she wasn’t worried about her children being hungry,” she said. “She said, ‘God bless all of you.’”

Frank started out doing community service in The Neighbors’ Place’s garden. Today, he’s the lead gardener of our community gardens and an assistant in our Furniture & Basic Needs Bank. When he’s not working in the garden, he picks up donated furniture, works in our warehouse and serves as a handyman. “I’ve seen people coming out of prison,” he said. “First they need something to do to occupy their time. They come and volunteer. Then they need a reference for a job, and we let them know just how well they did here. … Matter of fact, that even worked for me.”

Bessie had used services at The Neighbors’ Place before as a client, and soon after graduating from college she took an internship with us to gain some professional experience and to help others. “I love giving back,” she said. “I love being part of a change.” As a result of her experience with The Neighbors’ Place, she hopes to make her career in nonprofit agencies.

Tracy worked in corporate America for 20 years, and after a recent move back to Wisconsin, he realized that he wanted to give back to his community. Luckily, Tracy applied at http://neighborsplace.org/get-involved/volunteer-application/ to help his local neighbors in-need. Tracy works in the food pantry helping out in any way he can — whether that’s checking-in guests on the computers or restocking shelves. Fernando quickly realized Tracy’s potential, and now Tracy is helping create a new database for the food pantry and food bank.

Click play to hear Tracy’s favorite moment as a volunteer!

If you’ve ever visited The Neighbors’ Place in need of a service, you’ve probably met Kris. If you’ve ever volunteered at The Neighbors’ Place, Kris probably showed you where the coffee is. If you’ve ever donated to The Neighbors’ Place, Kris probably helped you unload your vehicle and get a receipt.

Needless to say, Kris has become an important person at The Neighbors’ Place. In this episode you’ll hear from Kris first-hand on her experience volunteering and working at The Neighbors’ Place. She believes that our best quality as a nonprofit is our capability to always treat people with respect. And, if she could change anything about the services offered . . . she’d add more!

Click play to listen to some of Kris’s stories.

In this episode you’ll hear a young woman’s story — a woman who never imagined needing a place like The Neighbors’ Place.

Annie moved to the United States 5 years ago from Costa Rica where she worked as a paralegal. Unfortunately, a few years ago Annie experienced some hardships and found The Neighbors’ Place upon a recommendation of a friend. She never thought she’d need help for the most basic things in life, but Annie explains in her interview how grateful she is for The Neighbors’ Place. Kathy furnished Annie’s apartment with chairs, a bed, and basic kitchen items. Fernando helped Annie with the language barrier and helped her receive food. The Community Learning Center helped Annie apply for jobs and understand the varying laws of our government.

Annie’s message to everyone is, “Don’t take more than you need and be happy with what you already have.”

Podcast Summary: Tom talks about the culture at The Neighbors’ Place, where every question is welcome, and if we can’t help we’re sure to refer you to another community organization that can. Tom explains how Wausau has such a variety of nonprofit organizations that work together to help people — The United Way’s 211, The Salvation Army, Randlin Homes, and Catholic Charities’ Warming House to just name a few. Tom says, “We’re not going to be everything to everyone but we’re a starting place.” Tom goes on to explain how The Neighbors’ Place isn’t affiliated to any government or private organization, so The Neighbors’ Place is flexible in what it’s able to do.

Podcast Summary: Tom Rau, Executive Director of The Neighbors’ Place since 2001, calls himself a child of the 60s. Tom was born in Chilton, WI and grew-up as a central Wisconsinite in Marshfield, WI. After meeting his wife, Marcy, at college in Illinois the couple moved back to central Wisconsin where they built their home and family. Tom has always been passionate about nonprofits, working for the Wausau Community Theater and a local church. But, how Tom became the Executive Director of The Neighbors’ Place is an interesting story…