Meet Our Volunteers
The work of Raphael House would not be possible without the dedication of our treasured volunteers who fill our home with love and compassion. Our volunteers come to Raphael House for a variety of reasons, but what they all share is a commitment to healing families, and brightening the lives of children. Join us as we celebrate their commitment and passion.
Jack o'bRIEN - Evening Children's pROGRAM, fAMILY pROGRAM AND cHILDrEACH OUTINGS
What would we do without Jack? May of 2003, Jack begun volunteering in the Evening Children’s Program, but he has since added on to that by taking time during his weekends to join us in the ChildReach Outings. He is the kind of guy who is there when you need him. He says he enjoys the energy and joyfulness of the children, but with all of his volunteering and his job as a portfolio accountant, his favorite activity is napping on his couch. During a recent trip to Tahoe, Jack helped Anna Hurtado take the children ice-skating and out into the snow. Jack is wonderful and most helpful according to ChildReach Manager Anna Hurtado and the children with whom he works.
Sharon Ellsworth - Kitchen Prep
Sharon is a modern jazz dancer who also volunteers at the San Francisco public high school called “School of the Arts” where she judges dance auditions and works on choreography. She is studying “Women in the Blues” and “Documentary Film” at OLLI and has been married to her architect husband for 45 years. They discovered San Francisco on their honeymoon and moved to Valencia Street during the Summer of Love. Sharon likes the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in the Raphael House kitchen and the sense that the dining room is geared to families - that they come first. Many of the special desserts served on Wednesday evenings are made by Sharon, who has volunteered in our kitchen since November, 2006. She is well-loved and much appreciated in the kitchen. Thank you Saron for all your yummy desserts!